GCSE Leisure and Tourism
(Double Award)
About the subject
In the UK, over 1.5 million people are employed in leisure and tourism, the fastest-growing industry in the world. Students are given the opportunity to gain the double GCSE in five lessons a week. With the travel and leisure industry having grown 500% in the last twenty five years and the estimated expenditure of £884 billion spent on tourist related activities across the world each year, it comes as no surprise the students are drawn to this option. The vocational nature of the course also ensures students gain first hand experience of working with local leisure and tourism businesses.
Student Guide
What is a GCSE in Leisure & Tourism?
A GCSE in Leisure & Tourism is a nationally recognised work-related qualification designed to provide you with a choice of routes into further education or employment. It is made up of three units.
What is a Double Award?
A double award is a qualification equal to two GCSEs - it is twice the size of most GCSEs.
What do I need to know or be able to do before taking the GCSE in Leisure & Tourism?
You do not need to have studied leisure and tourism before starting the GCSE. It is important that you have a lively and enquiring mind, an interest in the leisure and tourism industries, a willingness to explore new ideas and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively.
Why should I choose this course?
You will:
• gain an understanding of leisure and tourism and the part it plays in society
• investigate how the leisure and tourism industries meet the needs of their customers
• have an opportunity to apply learning in a practical and realistic way
• follow a programme of study that enables progression to further advanced level courses and employment in leisure or tourism
• develop Key Skills which are highly valued by employers and further education
• gain confidence by developing independent learning skills.
Who is the GCSE in Leisure & Tourism for?
This course will appeal to you if you:
• have a keen interest in leisure or tourism
• enjoy studying a subject that is relevant to your life and experiences
• want to find out more about leisure and tourism through personal investigation
• are interested in developing an understanding of how leisure and tourism influences our daily lives
• want to study a course that is active and enjoyable
• want to move on to a related career or further education in either leisure or tourism
• wish to build up a qualification by studying individual units
The structure of the GCSE in Leisure & Tourism
Unit 1: Investigating Leisure & Tourism
This unit will help you to understand the important part leisure and tourism play in today’s society. You will learn that industries in the UK provide a variety of activities for people to enjoy. There are many different facilities and organisations ranging from theatres and theme parks to travel agents and airlines.
Unit 2: Marketing in Leisure & Tourism
There are many different leisure and tourism organisations trying to sell to customers. You will learn what marketing is and how important it is in these highly competitive industries. You will look at promotion and have the chance to produce some promotional material.
Unit 3: Customer Service in Leisure & Tourism
Leisure and tourism organisations rely on customers, without customers they could not exist. An important part of keeping existing customers and attracting new ones is through excellent customer service. You will learn about customer service and how to provide good customer service. You will also learn how to handle difficult customers and complaints.
GCSE Leisure and Tourism at Raincliffe School
• During the last six years Leisure and Tourism results at Raincliffe have consistently been two to three times the national averages.
• In 2007 some of the best leisure and tourism portfolio work in the country was produced by Raincliffe students.
• Out of 18700 students taking the qualification in the UK in 2007, TWO of the top ten students were Raincliffe students.
• The percentage pass rate for students achieving A* to C grades in the summer of 2008 is expected to be 100%
National success at GCSE
Helen Mitchell and Rebecca Gillatt are interviewed by Yorkshire Coast Radio after being told by the Edexcel examination board that their Double A* GCSE Leisure and Tourism examination results were two of the best results in the country in 2007
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