Computing & ICT

Implementation

Key Stage 3 

Year 7&8 pupils have a one-hour lesson per week in mixed ability groups. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the importance of E-Safety, the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. Students will cover the following topics this year: 

 

Year 7 

E-Safety – students are taught the importance of being aware of potential dangers and consequences of accessing the internet. How to protect themselves and what to do if they encounter any issues whilst online. 

Computers in the workplace – Students are taught how to create, edit, and present information in a range of different ways. Learning the skills employers are looking for in areas such a word processing, spreadsheets, and presentational tools. 

Programming (Scratch) – Design, use and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems. Understand several key algorithms that reflect computational thinking.  

Data Representation – Understand how numbers can be represented in binary and be able to carry out simple operations on binary numbers. Understand how instructions are stored and executed within a computer system; understand how data of various types can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits. 

Networks & Cybercrime – Students will learn about the dangers that can affect computers such as viruses and phishing and how to deal with these potential dangers. 

Project – Students will complete a project in the last term which will enable them to use all the computational thinking as well as traditional ICT skills they have learnt over the year. 

 

Year 8 

Computer Systems & Hardware – Students will investigate different storage devices and explain how they are used. They will then be asked to Select suitable storage devices and storage media for given situations and justify your choice. 

Analysing Data – Students will be taught how to manipulate spreadsheets, be confident in the analysis of data and modelling finances.  

Internet & Networks – This unit begins by defining a network and addressing the benefits of networking, before covering how data is transmitted across networks using protocols. 

Programming (Python) – Design, use and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems. Understand several key algorithms that reflect computational thinking. 

Project – Students will complete a project in the last term which will enable them to use all the computational thinking as well as traditional ICT skills they have learnt over the year. 

 

Year 9  

Gdevelop – This unit gives students practical opportunities to design and program two games. Students begin by creating a firework game that makes use of particle emitters and events. Students will develop programming skills through the development and iterative testing of their games. The programming language makes use of a visual programming environment which is an excellent transition between block programming and text programming. 

Computer crime and cyber security – Students will learn about the dangers that can affect computers such as viruses and phishing and how to deal with these potential dangers. 

Computational thinking – Students will be able to develop skills in programming enabling them to build up their expertise prior to choosing computing at KS4. 

Programming (Python) – Design, use and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems. Understand several key algorithms that reflect computational thinking. 

Implementation

Key Stage 4  

OCR Computer Science 

Computer Science is an engaging and practical, encouraging creativity and problem solving. It encourages students to work independently to develop well thought out solutions and develop strong resilience which is required in the world of computer science. Computer Science encourages students build on the computing skills acquired during KS3 to develop their understanding and application of the core concepts in computer science. Students also analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing, and evaluating programs. 

 

Component 01: Computer systems (50%) 

Introduces students to the Central Processing Unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, system security and system software. It also looks at ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental concerns associated with computer science. 

 

Component 02: Computational thinking, algorithms, and programming (50%) 

Students apply knowledge and understanding gained in component 01. They develop skills and understanding in computational thinking: algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic, translators, and data representation. The skills and knowledge developed within this component will support the learner when completing the Component 03 Programming Project. 

 

Practical Programming 

Students are to be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task during their course of study which allows them to develop their skills to design, write, test, and refine programs using a high-level programming language. Students will develop several skills using the programming language Python, to develop their computational thinking skills further. Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations. 

 

Why Choose GCSE Computer Science? 

It is a great way to develop critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills, which can be transferred to further learning and to everyday life. Students who want to go on to higher study and employment in the field of computer science will find it provides a superb steppingstone. It has strong links with mathematics and will support student’s determination to complete set tasks. Computer Science is part of the English Baccalaureate, and it will be included as one of the qualifications that count towards new school performance measures. Any Computing specifications included in the EBacc have to be approved by BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) – and our GCSE Computer Science has been. 

 

Creative iMedia 

The UK is a world leader in the creative digital industries, such as in the creation of visual effects for films and computer games. However, there is growing recognition that we need to build on and improve the UK’s capability and capacity for technical innovation and creativity in this area. Creative iMedia builds on the multimedia skills acquired during KS3, whilst encouraging students to demonstrate creativity using a wide range of industry standard software/technology. 

 

Unit R093 – Creative iMedia in the Media Industry

In this unit you will learn about the sectors, products and job roles that form the media industry. You will learn the legal and ethical issues considered and the processes used to plan and create digital media products. You will learn how media codes are used within the creation of media products to convey meaning, create impact, and engage audiences. You will learn to choose the most appropriate format and properties for different media products. 

  

Unit R094 – Visual Identity and Digital Graphics

In this unit you will learn how to develop visual identities for clients. You will also learn to apply the concepts of graphic design to create original digital graphics which incorporate your visual identify to engage a target audience. 

   

Unit RO99 – Digital Games

The UK has one of the largest games markets in the world, and the UK’s games industry is among the largest in Europe. Its workforce has one of the youngest profiles in the media industries with earnings above the media industry average. In this unit you will learn how to interpret clients’ briefs to devise original digital game concepts. You will undertake the whole process – planning, creating, testing, and evaluating – in order to make an exported, playable, digital game. 

 

Unit RO97 – Interactive Digital Media

Interactive digital media is found everywhere. In games, websites, apps, in commerce and education. In this unit you will learn to design and create interactive digital media products for chosen platforms. You will learn to design and create interactive digital media products for chosen platforms. You will learn to select, edit, and repurpose multimedia content of different kinds and create the structure and interactive elements necessary for an effective user experience. 

 

Assessment:  

  • Internal assessment 60% 
  • External examination 40% 

 

Why Choose Creative iMedia? 

Learners who achieve a Level 2 in this subject might consider progressing to study a vocational qualification at Level 3 (such as a Cambridge Technical in IT or Digital Media). It will also equip Learners with the necessary skills for any employment in the ICT sector. Such as: Learning about how the different media sectors, in industry, operate through project life cycles (planning, creating and testing). Working with a range of digital tools and techniques specific to graphic design, video and photography. Learning about graphic design and photography principles, camera lighting, different shot angles and other recording techniques used to create a video sequence.