ICT
Curriculum Area Leader: Mr S Dhanda
The ICT/Computing team have a real passion for supporting students in their digital literacy skills, creative ICT skills and in helping students to understand how modern-day computers work. This is delivered through our ICT and Computing programmes across all our key stages.
All students are taught ICT and Computing at KS3, with students then having an option to pick either subject at KS4 and KS5.
Learning Environment & Resources
The ICT and Computing Department is situated within the Creative Zone and has three fully equipped rooms with 30 desktop computers and interactive whiteboards. All rooms have been recently updated with new PC’s and equipment. These include PC’s with built-in microphones and webcams. All rooms have been installed with the latest smart board TV’s that allow both teacher and students to interact with the lesson content.
The department is also equipped with the necessary software to allow students to develop their skills. This include the Adobe Suite and Microsoft Office.
Key Stage 3
Students in Years 7 and 8 have one lesson of Computing each week. They follow a scheme of work which focuses on different topics each half term.
Students will be learning a range of ICT skills that will help develop their digital literacy skills. This includes learning office skills, how to use emails and having an understanding on how to use digital devices safely.
We also equip our students with the knowledge and understanding of the digital word. This is achieved through our computing curriculum, where our students learn how technology works and the purpose of technology. Students also learn programming skills and programming concepts.
Key Stage 4
Students at Key Stage 4 have two lessons each week. The following option courses are available:
Edexcel GCSE Computer Science
There are two terminal examinations, both weighted equally at 50% each. The course is worth one GCSE grade 9-1. The first examination is a written paper and the second paper is completed on the computer.
The first examination will test the students understanding on a range of Computing topics. Throughout the three years students will learn about computer hardware, software, how the internet works, cyber security, how computers understand data, ethical issues and programming concepts.
Throughout the course students will also learn practical programming skills. Students learn a programming language called “Python”. They will learn a range of programming techniques and will develop the skills to design and create their own programmes. The second examination will test their programming skills.
OCR Creative IMedia
Students complete three mandatory units during this course. An externally assessed component accounts for 40% of the total grade, 60% is achieved through two internal assessments.
This course is equivalent to 1 GCSE graded Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*.
In this course, students learn how to use ICT to create content for media purposes. For the first internal assessment, students will be creating a website and learning key website design principles. For the second assessment, students will be learning digital image editing skills. The exam board will provide a brief that students will have to follow when completing their media products. The external examination unit will enable learners to understand pre-production skills used in the creative and digital
media sector. It will allow students to understand the planning required and steps, when creating digital media.
Post 16
Post 16 students have two or four business studies lessons each week. The following courses are available:
BTEC Extended Certificate in ICT
Students complete four units for the Extended Certificate course. The Extended Certificate compromises one external exam, one externally assessed coursework and two internally assessed coursework units. This course is equivalent to 1 A Level, graded Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*.
Students study a range of topics such as developing and coding a website, learning how businesses can use social media, database management and the fundamentals of ICT.
OCR A Level Computing
There are two terminal examinations, both weighted equally at 40% each, and an internal assessment that is weighted at 20%. The course is worth one A Level graded A*-U.
Students will study in much greater depth the topics they learnt in the GCSE Computer Science qualification. There is also a greater emphasis in the understanding of programming. Students will learn how to “think” like a computer and how to write algorithms to solve problems. Students will also be completing a programming project during their second year of study. They will be analysing a problem, designing a solution and then using a programming language to create the solution.
Extra Curricular
Extra-Curricular Activity
Key Stage 4 students are often offered extra time with their teacher to complete or improve coursework. This takes place once a week after school and generally sessions are very well attended. To ensure all students are successful, intervention sessions are provided as needed to give individuals the required support.
We also support our students in further developing their practical skills. This would include developing programming, animation, video editing skills and website developing skills.
