Pimlico Academy is an accredited OCR centre. OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) is a leading UK awarding body, committed to providing qualifications that engage learners of all ages at school, college, in work or through part-time learning programmes to achieve their full potential.

The OCR programme we offer at Pimlico Academy is the CLAiT 2006, consisting of New CLAiT, CLAiT Plus and CLAiT Advanced and by far the most popular IT qualification in the UK. Over two million people in the UK now hold CLAiT certificates, making CLAiT the benchmark qualification in IT.

The first CLAiT qualification was launched back in 1987. RSA CLAiT quickly became the most popular IT qualification in the UK. In 2002 the qualification was developed into an innovative package of three new qualifications.

CLAiT 2006 builds upon the best features of the OCR CLAiT suite and has been available for centres to deliver from September 2005.

CLAiT 2006 is a package of three computer qualifications which provides a one-stop shop for learners of all abilities looking to develop or progress their skills.

The OCR Level 1 Certificate/Diploma for IT Users (New CLAiT) is a qualification designed to recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding of IT users everywhere, whether in employment, education or training. Courses leading to a New CLAiT qualification will equip learners with the basic range of transferable skills necessary to meet the demands of the modern workplace, and will prepare learners for progression to further training and accreditation in IT User skills at Level 2 and Level 3.

New CLAiT has been redeveloped to produce a qualification that provides a far clearer progression route to Level 2 at both unit level and whole qualification level. The new qualification aims to reflect and build on the strengths of the previous version, incorporating revised content, which now maps, where appropriate, to 100% of the National Occupational Standards. This takes account of recent software developments and provides greater flexibility, ease-of-use and relevance.

This revised specification has been developed in consultation with partners in industry, further education and schools. It also retains OCR’s unique computer-based assessment technologies developed by OCR over recent years.

The New CLAiT qualification aims to provide a nationally recognised standard in IT assessment that is accessible and flexible whilst also being reliable, consistent and valid. It is designed to fit the needs of the learner, employer and training provider.

In order to achieve a Certificate qualification, candidates are required to achieve three units, the mandatory unit plus two additional optional units. The mandatory unit has been designed to accredit a candidate's initial skills in operating the hardware and software components of a typical computer workstation. The optional units allow candidates to develop skills in a range of different IT applications. Candidates can also achieve a Diploma qualification; they are required to achieve five units, the mandatory unit plus four additional optional units.

Certification is also available for single units. Each unit is regarded as a worthwhile achievement in its own right. Candidates have the option of achieving as many or as few units as are appropriate for their own learning needs or employment situation.

The OCR Level 2 Certificate/Diploma for IT Users (CLAiT Plus) is a qualification designed to recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding of IT users in employment, education or training. Courses leading to the CLAiT Plus qualification will equip learners with the broad range of transferable skills necessary to meet the demands of the modern workplace, and will prepare learners for progression to training in IT User skills at Level 3. The qualification recognises complex and specialist skills in the use of IT in vocational contexts.

CLAiT Plus has been redeveloped to produce a qualification which forms a far more coherent part of a suite of three CLAiT qualifications covering three levels. There is now a clearer progression route from Level 1 to Level 2 and from Level 2 to Level 3 at both unit level and whole qualification level. The new qualification aims to reflect and build on the strengths of the previous version, incorporating revised content, which now maps, where appropriate, to 100% of the National Occupational Standards. This takes account of recent software developments and provides greater flexibility, ease-of-use and relevance.

This revised specification has been developed in consultation with partners in industry, further education and schools. It also features OCR’s unique form of electronic testing for units 1 to 3 as an optional alternative assessment method to the paper based assignment.

CLAiT Plus has been designed to accredit a broad range of IT skills, ensuring that regardless of the optional units chosen, the learner will be prepared for the needs of the IT-based workplace in a comprehensive manner. In order to achieve a certificate qualification, candidates are required to achieve three units, the core unit plus two additional optional units. The core unit has been designed to encompass the essential core knowledge and competencies that are needed in the workplace to complete both routine and non-routine tasks. The optional units allow candidates to develop skills in a range of different IT applications. Candidates can also achieve a diploma qualification; they are required to achieve five units, the core unit plus four additional optional units. Certification is also available at unit level. Each unit is regarded as a worthwhile achievement in its own right. Candidates have the option of achieving as many or as few units as are appropriate for their own learning needs or employment situation.

The OCR Level 3 Certificate/Diploma for IT Users (CLAiT Advanced) is a qualification designed to recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding of those who use advanced IT skills. The qualification recognises complex and specialist skills in the use of IT in vocational contexts.

CLAiT Advanced has been redeveloped to produce a qualification which provides a far clearer progression route from New CLAiT and CLAiT Plus at both unit level and whole qualification level. The new qualification aims to reflect and build on the strengths of the previous version, incorporating revised content, which now maps, where appropriate, to 100% of the National Occupational Standards. This takes account of recent software developments and provides greater flexibility, ease-of-use and relevance.

This revised specification has been developed in consultation with partners in industry, further education and schools.

The CLAiT Advanced qualification aims to provide a nationally recognised standard in IT assessment that is accessible and flexible whilst also being reliable, consistent, valid and also fit for the needs of the learner, employer and training provider.

CLAiT Advanced has been designed to accredit a broad range of advanced IT skills, ensuring that regardless of the optional units chosen, the learner will be prepared for the needs of the IT-based workplace in a comprehensive manner. In order to achieve a Certificate qualification, candidates are required to achieve three units, the mandatory unit plus two additional optional units. The optional units allow candidates to develop advanced skills in a range of different IT applications. Candidates can also achieve a Diploma qualification; they are required to achieve five units, the mandatory unit plus four additional optional units. Certification is also available at unit level. Each unit is regarded as a worthwhile achievement in its own right. Candidates have the option of achieving as many or as few units as are appropriate for their own learning needs or employment situation.

Learners can progress through the levels within CLAiT 2006, developing and enhancing their IT skills as they go. CLAiT 2006 can lead to exciting things such as website design and electronic media.