Computing and ICT

Year 7 students start off the year with lessons based on organising files and folders followed by the unit on E-Safety in the first term. They will then go on to start working on Unit 2 How Computers Work? This unit will be done in the second term.

In the second term Students will be learning about how the computer works. They will learn about hardware such as input and output devices and different types of software including the operating system. Students will also learn about binary and have the opportunity to convert binary to denary and vice versa.

In the final term, students will be completing a project on raising awareness for a charity that helps people in Africa by creating a presentation. This final Unit will involve following the stages of planning, design, implementation, testing and evaluation. The students will learn advance presentation skills such as slide master, audio, hyperlinks, QR code, animation and transitions.

In year 8, students cover 4 different Units throughout the year. In the first half term they work on Unit 1 – Staying Safe, Unit 2 –. Microbit. In the second term Unit 3 – Python quiz. Finally in the last term they do Unit 4 – Exercise and Wellbeing Model.

Term One – Students will be looking at how to stay safe online including how to report any concerns from using online services and digital technology. The students will make a start on the second unit and continue this on during term two. They will learn to use and program the BBC Microbit using Python programming language. They will be able to display text and create animations on the Microbit

Term two – During this term students will be completing the Microbit unit. They will then move onto Unit 3 Python quiz, students will be learning to write the code using Python language for an interactive quiz. They will learn to display text, images, concatenate strings and integers as well as write IF statements.

Term three – In this term students will be required to use a Spreadsheet model, to change variables, create formulas, create charts and use goal seek to find answers to What if scenarios about exercise and nutrition.

Students in Year 9 will study four units related to ICT & Computer Science. The first unit will revisit the topic of staying safe online but this time looking at digital footprint and how it can affect your future, as well as Sexting and relationships.

The next unit is on Future Technology and Ethics. This unit will help students to learn about a variety of legislations such as the Data Protection Act as well as ethical issues linked to software licensing, privacy and the environment. The last two units will be covered during term 3, where students will learn spreadsheets and HTML.

In the spreadsheet unit students learn how to use advanced features of Excel such as VLOOKUPs, COUNTIF Functions and Pivot tables.

The last unit will enable students to learn to create a website using HTML programming language. They will create a website about themselves, their hobbies and interests. Students will learn to use HTML tags to create their webpages.

In Year 10 students are given the option to study GCSE Computer Science.  The 2 year course will give students an in-depth understanding of how computer technology works. Students will no doubt be familiar with the use of computers and other related technology from their other subjects and elsewhere. However, this course will give them an insight into what goes on ‘behind the scenes’, including computer programming, which many students find absorbing.

This GCSE provides excellent preparation for higher study and employment in the field of Computer Science. The increasing importance of information technologies means there will be a growing demand for professionals who are qualified in this area. Learners who’ve taken a GCSE in Computer Science and who then progress to study the subject at A Level or university will have an advantage over their colleagues who are picking up the subject at these levels.

This course will develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills through the study of computer programming. For many learners, it’ll be a fun and interesting way to develop these skills, which can be transferred to other subjects and even applied in day-to-day life. In this respect, the course will make an excellent preparation for learners who want to study or work in areas that rely on these skills, especially where they are applied to technical problems. These areas include engineering, financial and resource management, science and medicine.

 

There are two Units to the GCSE Course:

• Component 1 – Computer Systems - Written Examination

• Component 2 – Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming – Written Examination

• Practical Programming

The written exam is designed to test students’ understanding of various topics related to computer science.

Component 1 -The specification splits the topics into the following sections:

• 1.1 - Systems architecture

• 1.2 - Memory and storage

• 1.3 - Computer networks, connections and protocols

• 1.4 - Network security

• 1.5 - Systems software

• 1.6 - Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology

• 1.7 – Systems software.

This is then tested in an exam that lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Component 2

• 2.1 - Algorithms

• 2.2 - Programming fundamentals

• 2.3 - Producing robust programs

• 2.4 - Boolean logic

• 2.5 - Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments

This is also tested in an exam that lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes

 

Practical Programming

Students will be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s) 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 be assessed on these skills during the written examinations, in particular component 02.

BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology

 

Who is the qualification for?

The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology, is for learners who wish to acquire knowledge and technical skills through vocational contexts by studying the knowledge, understanding and skills related to data management, data interpretation, data presentation and data protection as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. This builds on the learning that has already taken place at Key Stage 3.

The qualification recognises the value of learning skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSE's. The qualification will broaden learners’ experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them.

 

What does the qualification cover?

The Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment, including:

• development of key skills that prove their aptitude in digital information technology, such as project planning, designing and creating user interfaces, creating dashboards to present and interpret data
• processes that underpin effective ways of working, such as project planning, the iterative design process, cyber security, virtual teams, legal and ethical codes of conduct
• Knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, processes and attitudes in the sector, such as how different user interfaces meet user needs, how organisations collect and use data to make decisions, virtual workplaces, cyber security and legal and ethical issues.

 

The Award complements learning in GCSE programmes, such as the GCSE in Computer Science, by broadening experience and skills participation in different type of activities. It gives learners the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills practically through project work, such as planning and designing a user interface and developing a dashboard to interpret trends in data.

 

What can the qualification lead to?

Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning either generally or in this sector. The choices that learners can make post-16 will depend on their overall level of attainment and their performance in the qualification.

Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects
• Study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in IT, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in the digital sector.

 

Learners who generally achieve at Level 1 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• Study at Level 2 post-16 in a range of technical routes designed to lead to work, progression to employment, apprenticeships or to further study at Level 3. For these learners, the attitudes and the reflective and communication skills covered in the qualification will help them achieve
• Study of a Technical Certificate in IT Support or Digital Technology post-16. Learners who perform well in this qualification compared to their overall performance should strongly consider this progression route which can lead to employment in the digital sector.

Course Description

Computer Science is a practical subject where learners can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real world systems.

It is an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement, and can look at the natural world through a digital prism.  An A Level in Computer Science will value computational thinking, helping learners to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence.

Learners will develop an ability to analyse, critically evaluate and make decisions.  The project approach is a vital component of ‘post-school’ life and is of particular relevance to Further Education, Higher Education and the workplace.  Each learner is able to tailor their project to fit their individual needs, choices and aspirations.

 

Aims and Learning Outcomes

The aims of this qualification are to enable learners to develop:

An understanding of, and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science including; abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation

• The ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems including writing programs to do so
• The capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
• The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science
• Mathematical skills
• The ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology

 

Course Outline

Year 12: A Level Computer Science

Component 01 – Computing Principles which will cover the characteristics of contemporary systems architecture and other areas including the following:

• Operating systems

• Introduction to programming

• Data types, structures and algorithms

• Exchanging data and web technologies

• Using Boolean algebra

• Legal and ethical issues

 

Component 02 – Algorithms and Problem Solving Where there’ll be a short scenario/task contained in the paper, which could be an algorithm or a text page-based task, which will involve problem solving. Other areas covered include the following:

• Elements of computational thinking

• Programming techniques

• Software development methodologies

•Algorithms

• Standard algorithms

 

Year 13: A Level Computer Science

If you take the full A level course you will sit two exams at the end of Year 13 which will cover two components and you will also be required to undertake a programming project.

Component 01 – Computing Principles which will cover the characteristics of contemporary systems architecture and other areas including the following:

• Software and its development

• Types of programming languages

• Data types, representation and structures

• Exchanging data and web technologies

• Following algorithms

• Using Boolean algebra

• Legal, moral and ethical issues.

 

Component 02 – Algorithms and Problem Solving

Section A will cover traditional questions concerning computational thinking.

• Elements of computational thinking

• Programming and problem solving

• Pattern recognition, abstraction and decomposition

• Algorithm design and efficiency

• Standard algorithms.

 

Section B will have a scenario/task contained in the paper, which could be an algorithm or a text page-based task, which will involve problem solving.

 

Component 03 - Programming project

This is an internally assessed task where students solve a problem of an appropriate size and complexity. This will enable them to demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the Assessment Objectives. Students will need to analyse the problem, design a solution, implement the solution and give a thorough evaluation.

 

Course Assessment

A Level

The A level is assessed with 2 two exams at the end of year 13 and one programming project.

01 Computer Systems exam lasts 2hrs and 30 mins (40%)

02 Algorithms and Programming exam lasts 2hrs and 30 mins (40%)

03 Programming Project (20%)

 

Career Opportunities

The qualification is suitable for learners intending to pursue any career in which an understanding of technology is needed.  The qualification is also suitable for any further study as part of a course of general education.

It will provide learners with a range of transferable skills which will facilitate personal growth and foster cross curriculum links in areas such as maths, science and design and technology.  Computer Science is a very creative subject, and skills such as problem solving and analytical thinking will all be refined and explored as learners progress through the learning and assessment programme.

Progression to University

Students who achieve this qualification will be able to apply for a variety of degree level courses in ICT or computing related subjects.

Entry Requirements

Students are expected to have A*- B in GCSE ICT, A* - C in GCSE Computing GCSE Maths and English at A* - C plus 4 other passes C or above.

 

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:  Mrs H Nessa

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information technology

Course Description

This qualification is designed for learners who are interested in an introduction into the study of creating IT systems to manage and share information alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in IT.

Course Outline

The objective of this qualification is to give learners the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in IT systems, systems management and social media in business. This will enable learners to progress to further study in the IT sector or other sectors.

 

Course Assessment

Assessment is specifically designed to fit the purpose and objective of the qualification. It includes a range of assessment types and styles suited to vocational qualifications in the sector. There are three main forms of assessment that you need to be aware of: external, internal and synoptic.

 

Progression and Career Opportunities

The intended destinations for learners successfully achieving these qualifications include:

• BTEC Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Computing and Systems Development (QCF)
• Apprenticeships
• University

Entry Requirements

Students are expected to have Merit or above grade in BTEC L2 DIT.