Computing

Year 8

Building upon the knowledge and understanding from year 7, students are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. Students will study the following units:

•    Spreadsheets
•    Advanced programming in Scratch
•    Advanced coding in Kodu
•    AI and Machine Making

Year 9

The final year of key stage 3 provides the opportunity for students to gain knowledge and understanding of the 3 qualifications that are offered by the faculty for key stage 4. This year will allow students to build upon what they have learnt in prior years and use the skills to develop them further by studying an introduction into Computer Science Basics, iMedia/IT skills and also a new unit which gives an introduction into Business and Marketing.

Computer Science - GCSE 

Year 10

Computer science is the study of the foundational principles and practices of computational thinking and their application in the design and development of computer systems. In year 10 GCSE Computer Science enables learners to develop an interest in computing and to gain confidence in computational thinking and programming. They develop their understanding of the main principles of problem-solving using computers. Learners apply their understanding to develop computer-based solutions to problems using algorithms and a high-level programming language. They also develop a range of technical skills, as well as the ability to test effectively and to evaluate computing solutions.

Year 11

In Year 11, the Computer Science course will build upon the students' understanding of the specification and exam writing skills and technique to ensure that the pupil has a well-rounded understanding of all of the topics on the specification but also ensure they have developed the key skills required to be successful when implementing this knowledge in the real world. These key skills of; problem solving, analysis and thinking both abstractly and logically will be at the forefront of the curriculum in preparation for the exam.

IT - Cambridge Nationals Certificate Level 1/Level 2

Year 10

Cambridge Nationals in IT raises students’ confidence and understanding in the use of IT in the digital world. The IT qualification covers digital and technical skills not covered in our other computing qualifications. Students will be equipped with the confidence to apply and use skills that are relevant both to the IT sector and more widely. Students will learn how to plan, design, create, test and evaluate a data manipulation spreadsheet solution to meet client’s requirements. Students will be able to evaluate their solution based on the user requirements. Topics include: Planning and designing the spreadsheet solution, creating the spreadsheet solution, testing the spreadsheet solution and evaluating the spreadsheet solution.

Year 11

In year 11 students will apply their understanding and skills to use technologies to select data, manipulate, store, analyse and present it as information, and follow a project life cycle to structure how it’s done. Students will learn about: the use of IT in the digital world, the Internet of Everything, data manipulation and the design and implementation of human-computer interface (HCI). Students will also create an augmented reality (AR) prototype. Students will develop knowledge and understanding in a number of key areas as they plan, design, create, test and evaluate/review IT solutions and augmented reality (AR) products to meet client and target audience requirements.