Students all through key stage 3 receive one hour per week in the ICT suite but are able to apply their ICT skills in other lessons using either laptops or the second ICT suite which is available for other subjects. At key stage 4 students who opt to do an ICT qualification, receive 5 hours tuition over two weeks. ICT is seen as an integral part of a student’s learning which is designed to equip them with ICT skills for further and higher education studies as well as the world of work.

KS3
Year 7: Students focus on …
File Management | Students learn how to access the school network and store their files appropriately for all subjects |
Cloud Technology and emails | Students are introduced to their school email accounts and how to store files and access software through the internet |
Internet Safety | Students are made aware of the dangers of social websites and gaming |
Coding in blocks | Students are introduced to coding through scratch, focus on the ability give attention to detail, test and solve errors which are important skills in ICT |
Introduction to Graphics | Students are taught the difference between line vector and bitmap graphics using a variety of different applications including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. |
Year 8: Students focus on …
Graphics Continued | Students produce edited images and build line vector images. |
Introduction to Spreadsheets | Students use Microsoft Excel, and develop their understanding of different formulae and how to apply formula in different situations. Students are introduced to financial terms within the buying and selling context, profit and loss, income and expenditure. |
How spreadsheets are used in the work place | Students develop their spreadsheet skills to incorporate the importance of presentation and extracting particular data into graphs. |
Designing ICT solution Project | Students are given a paper based business system to design a spreadsheet solution for a work place scenario. This enables the students to apply all their knowledge and understanding of spreadsheets. Students are expected to apply the functions: IF function and the absolute cell reference. |
Events Management project | Students continue to use their spreadsheet skills, combined with research skills to cost a city break for 12 adults to Prague or Budapest. Students create the programme of events for each day with information for the tour guide.
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Year 9: Students focus on …
Study Skills | Different techniques to retain knowledge, across all subjects |
Presenting information | Professional formatting skills to create and write a book using Microsoft Word |
History of Computing | Build knowledge, retain and recall facts to write own account on: Charles Babbage ‘The Difference Engine’, Alan Turing, Tommy Flowers, Bletchley Park, ‘The Colossus’ |
Input and Output Devices | Understand and present information about input and output devices |
Inside a Computer | Understand and present information on each hardware component inside a computer |
Memory Storage | Understand different types of storage devices and capacity |
Binary | How data is stored |
Programming | Introduction to a programming language |
Malware | The dangers of working on line to computer systems |
KS4
OCR 9-1 Computer Science
UNIT 01: Computer Systems | Systems Architecture, Memory, Storage, Networks wired and wireless, Network topologies, protocols and layers, System Security, System Software, Ethical, Legal, Cultural and environmental concerns |
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Assessment: | 1 hour 30 minutes exam, written paper | 50% of total GCSE |
Unit 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming | Algorithms, Programming techniques, Producing robust programs, Computational logic |
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Assessment: | 1 hour 30 minutes exam, written paper | 50% of total GCSE |
Programming Project | 20 timetabled hours
Consolidates the learning across the specification through practical activity | Formal requirement |
Year 10: Summary of work completed:
Computer Systems theory completed with some programming skills
Year 11: Programming skills 20 hours practical in conjunction with Unit 2 Computational thinking, algorithms and programming. Timescale: Sept to January.
January to May Revisit Theory Unit 1 and 2
Edexcel Level 2 CiDA – Certificate in Digital Applications
UNIT 01: Developing Web Products | Audience and purpose, Clients brief and projects life cycle, Site structure, Consistency, Page design, Accessibility, Selection and Preparation, Coding, Testing, Evaluation | |
Assessment: | 2.5 examination, practical to build a 5 page functional website with a written review | 40% weighted |
Unit 02: Artwork and Imaging | Developing artwork. Using drawing tools. Use image editing software. Investigating art work. Designing artwork images. Image types. Prepare images for screen. Prepare images for print. Product review. Exhibit in digital portfolio | |
Assessment: | Course work exhibited in a website for a digital portfolio | 60% weighted |
NCFE Level 1/2 TECHNICAL AWARD IN INTERACTIVE MEDIA
UNIT 01: Investigate interactive media production | Learners will experiment with interactive media products and understand the elements of the development process using hardware and software solutions. |
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Assessment:
| 30 Guided Learning Hours, Internally and externally assessed. | Pass Merit Distinction |
Unit 02: Plan and prepare for an interactive media product | Leaners will produce a proposal and plans for an interactive media product meeting the requirements of a brief. Guided | |
Assessment: | 30 Guided Learning Hours, Internally and externally assessed | Pass Merit Distinction |
UNIT 03: Development and production of an interactive media product | Learners will understand how to use appropriate software and hardware for the development and creation of an interactive media product and its assets. | |
Assessment: | 40 Guided Learning Hours, Internally and externally assessed | Pass Merit Distinction |
UNIT 04: Present and promote an interactive media product | Learners will present and promote an interactive media product in the creative media industry. | |
Assessment: | 20 Guided Learning Hours, Internally and externally assessed | Pass Merit Distinction |
External Assessment | 15 hour controlled assessment. The learner will follow a set design brief composed of 3 tasks. | Pass Merit Distinction |
Year 10: Unit 1 and Unit 2, start Unit 3
Year 11: Complete Unit 3 Prepare for External Assessment
Assessment
KS3: Skills and knowledge are marked to ensure progress is taking place throughout the term. Each student presents their evidence in a portfolio of work. Where accumulative projects are set this is marked on completion of the project.
Homework
KS3: A variety of tasks are set for homework using different communication techniques, which include email and the Cloud. Opportunities are provided to stretch and challenge students.
An underlying theme throughout KS3 is touch typing, enabling students with hand writing difficulties to be efficient with the input of text preparing for GCSE exams if they have access to a laptop.
Extra-Curricular
Coding club at a lunch time and an after school session starts after October half term.