Computing & IT Department Vision
To view our curriculum plans, please click the following:
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13
(THESE PLANS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED).
To view the ICT/Computing Department Feedback Policy, please click here.
Department Vision
Intent
Technology is fast paced and dynamic, it is constantly changing around us and shaping the world that we live in. We believe that as technology advances, our students should have the skills and confidence to adapt and thrive. The world of work will look very different for students in the future, and our main aim is to equip them with the confidence to use and create technology to be able to succeed in their future careers.
In IT/Computing we aim to deliver structured, high quality and engaging lessons, that allow all students to achieve their best and foster a sense of lifelong learning. Our lesson sequences are designed to build the students confidence and nurture their creativity. We want to build the students resilience and allow students to reflect on their understanding; becoming excellent problem solvers. Our department sets high expectations of our students and has academic rigour to challenge all students at all levels to achieve their potential, in a supportive and collaborative way.
Our students are encouraged to consider the reliability of the sources that they use and the information that they are gathering, to support their learning across all of their studies. Our schemes of work teach students to use technology safely, respectfully and securely, so that they are supported to be responsible citizens. During lessons, students will discuss current events so that they can assess the impact that technology is having on our lives from a social, ethical, legal, environmental and economic view point.
Years 7 to 9
At KS3, students follow the National Curriculum as a foundation and have one lesson per week. The curriculum is designed to build upon students skills year on year, to allow the students to follow a clear progression pathway. The lesson sequences are designed to support students with their digital literacy, foster their computational thinking skills and to understand the importance of using technology safely. The curriculum is designed to build the foundations skills needed for students to progress onto the GCSE courses that the department offers.
Want to explore coding outside of lessons? Why not try one of the following websites;
GCSE
At KS4, students have the option to choose GCSE Computer Science or Cambridge Nationals Creative iMedia, which is taught over 5 lessons per fortnight.
OCR Cambridge Nationals Creative iMedia
The Cambridge Nationals Creative iMedia qualification assesses the application of creative media skills through their practical use. The course encourages independence, creativity and awareness of the digital media sector. The students will be equipped with a range of creative media skills and provided opportunities to develop transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts effectively. The course allows students to be imaginative in designing and creating media products, websites and game concepts for a given clients requirements.
Further details about the specification can be found at:
Year 11 Specification – https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/115888-specification.pdf
Year 10 Specification – https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/610942-specification-cambridge-nationals-creative-imedia-j834.pdf
Edexcel GCSE Computer Science – 2020 Specification
The GCSE Computer Science course is focused further developing the student’s skills in computational thinking, data, computers, networks, and issues and impact of computing in the world today. Their programming skills will continue to develop from their prior learning at KS3 and prepare them for a practical onscreen assessment, which focuses on the ability to analyse and solve problems by designing, writing, testing and refining programs. The course combines both practical assessment and theoretical examination.
Further details about the specification can be found at:
KS5 BTEC IT Level 3 Extended Certificate
This qualification is designed for learners who are interested in an introduction to the study of creating IT systems to manage and share information, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses or employment, not necessarily in IT. BTEC IT comprises of four units of student: Unit 1 Information Technology Systems, Unit 2 Creating Systems to Manage Information, Unit 3 Using Social Media in Business and Unit 6 Website Development. Across all four units’ students will develop skills in their:
- cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology
- intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation
- interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.
Further details about the specification can be found at: