Introduction
There are a limited number of places for the new GCSE Leisure and Tourism Award. As well as the criteria below, performance at the interview is also important. Applicants need to be able to demonstrate an interest in their chosen area of study. They will also need to show that they are reliable and committed students when they come to college. Applicants should bring their Progress File/Record of Achievement to their interview as evidence of their reliability and attitude to work.

Entry Requirements
In line with College Admissions Policy

About the subject
In the UK, over 1.5 million people are employed in leisure and tourism, the fastest-growing industry in the world. The GCSE Leisure and Tourism course is designed to help students progress into the advanced level of study such as AVCE Travel and Tourism or AVCE Leisure and Recreation. The course will give students a broad understanding of leisure and tourism, including the important vocational areas of customer service and marketing, as well as providing an insight into both the sport and recreation and travel and tourism industries in the UK.

Course Content
The new specification for GCSE Leisure and Tourism requires students to complete three units over one academic year :

Unit 1 – Investigating Leisure and Tourism – this unit helps students to understand the role that leisure and tourism play in today’s society. Students will learn about the wide range of organisations and facilities that provide for customers as well as the characteristics of the leisure and tourism industries. This unit is examined and the exam mark is the final mark for the unit.

Unit 2 – Marketing in Leisure and Tourism – this unit will introduce students to the variety of marketing activities carried out by leisure and tourism organisations. Students will also learn about target markets, market research, the marketing mix and SWOT analysis. This unit is coursework based as students investigate the marketing activities of one particular organisation. The coursework mark is the final mark for this unit.

Unit 3 – Customer Service in Leisure and Tourism – this unit builds on work from Unit 1 and will give students knowledge on the needs of different customer types, the importance of personal presentation when dealing with customers, responding to dissatisfied customers and the importance of keeping customer records. This unit will be assessed with one piece of coursework that investigates customer service in a particular organisation and also through role plays that put students in a variety of customer service situations.

Special Features
There are a variety of visits organised as part of the course in order to develop understanding of specific units. Students will also benefit from outside speakers who work within the industry as well as a lot of one to one supports and feedback on assignment work.

Assessment
Two of the three units studied are internally assessed through portfolio evidence the other unit is externally assessed.

Progression
This course lays an appropriate foundation for students wishing to progress onto AVCE Travel and Tourism or AVCE Leisure and Recreation. The course also provides students with essential skills that are needed to work within the industry.