Curriculum Statement
The ICT and Computing Curriculum is designed to develop the technical skills required to enable students to be creative and independent users of technology. In the process students will understand the importance, and develop their precision, accuracy and resilience. The rapidly changing nature of technology means that students are necessarily taught the need to continue their learning throughout life.
ICT, Information Communication Technology is defined as any technology or device that has the capacity to acquire, store process and transmit information and can include personal computers, the internet, mobile communication devices and email.

In this fast changing world it is important for students to see ICT as a useful tool to enhance the learning process. The school continues to invest in resources to enable teaching strategies that allow students to move to higher-order thinking, develop constructive thinking skills, and learn to prepare themselves for the future information age.
ICT is integrated into many subjects so that the students get as much exposure to using ICT in different environments as possible. ICT is also taught as a standalone subject throughout Key Stage 3 and as an option for all students at Key Stage 4.
KS3
Years 7, 8 and 9 follow a creative and motivational curriculum allowing the students to study a variety of topics to achieve a broad skill base and knowledge in preparation for KS4.
Students focus on ...
Standard ways of working – Students learn how to organise their files, work effectively with computers and present information correctly.
Computer hardware and networking – We look at the hardware that makes up computing devices and how they are linked together.
Programming concepts – Students will use flowchart and computational thinking to create a game on a BBC Microbit using a block programming language.
E-safety and cybersecurity – Students study the concept of a digital footprint, legalities and ethics and how to keep themselves safe. This is in combination with concepts from cybersecurity, software approaches and risk minimising behaviour.
Introduction to animation – We will create a basic animation using tools to produce something which can be embedded into online media.
Computer hardware and networking – We look at the hardware that makes up computing devices and how they are linked together.
Programming concepts – Students will use flowchart and computational thinking to create a game on a BBC Microbit using a block programing language.
Binary – We will look at how information is stored in computers and how to convert between binary and denary as well as add binary numbers together.
Spread sheets – In lessons we will cover the common formulas and functions in Excel and then design a spreadsheet to meet the needs of a business or a project. The students will then create this and test it.
Magazine project – This is a larger project covering image manipulation, typography, house styles, audience needs and information presentation which will culminate in the students designing and creating their own magazine front cover and article inside.
E-safety and cybersecurity – Students study the concept of a digital footprint, legalities and ethics and how to keep themselves safe. This is in combination with concepts from cybersecurity, software approaches and risk minimising behaviour.
Computer hardware and networking – We look at the hardware that makes up computing devices and how they are linked together.
Binary – We will look at how information is stored in computers and how to convert between binary and denary as well as add binary numbers together.
Python programming – This module will look at an introduction to Python programming including string and variable handling which will move on to creating, sorting and searching lists and arrays followed by a treasure hunt using the above.
Web design – Understand and present information about input and output devices
E-safety and cybersecurity – Students study the concept of a digital footprint, legalities and ethics and how to keep themselves safe. This is in combination with concepts from cybersecurity, software approaches and risk minimising behaviour.
KS4 (NCFE Interactive Media)
Currently at Key Stage 4, years 10 and 11 the students follow a vocational practical course – the NCFE course in interactive media which is involved in further developing the students’ skills gained in KS3.
The student can produce websites for a target audience, combining their graphic skills in building line vector and bitmap objects. As part of the students’ coursework they are expected to research good practice, write about how a product has been designed before they commence work on their own ideas. The students will evidence their planning as well as how they develop their first ideas through to final products with feedback from peers culminating in a review of their own work.
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.
KS4:
Investigate interactive media production
Learners will experiment with interactive media products and understand the elements of the development process using hardware and software solutions.
Assessment: 30 Guided Learning Hours, Internally and externally assessed.
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
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
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
15 hours, controlled assessment. The learner will follow a set design brief composed of 3 tasks.
Homework
KS3: Homework will be given at regular intervals and will make use of resources on GCSE pod.
KS4: Homework at KS4 will be built around deadlines for completion of coursework tasks and will be given at appropriate times throughout the year.
Support at Home
Share your own ICT/tablet skills with your child. Help them see the practical aspects of ICT at home e.g. managing household bills on-line.
Additional Support in school and/or resources
Access to the ICT room at break times/lunchtimes. Use of free programmes where suitable so pupils can continue developing skills at home. E.g. Python, Microbit.org. Ability to download Microsoft Office with their Office 365 email address.
Extra-Curricular
The ICT room is available every lunchtime for all year groups to use for homework, coursework or any other ICT skill practice.