In this section...

GCSE

OCR

Key staff

Subject Leader
Mr D Abel
[email protected]

Lead Teacher
Mrs J Lawton

ICT and Computer Science

ICT and Computer Science are concerned with the storage, processing, presentation and communication of information by electronic means. This includes the measurement, modelling and control of external events. ICT continues to evolve very quickly and has now become firmly entrenched in many aspects of everyday life, both at home and in the workplace. As ICT and computer systems underpin today’s modern lifestyle, it is essential that all students gain the confidence and capability at they need in this subject to prepare them for the challenge of a rapidly developing and challenging technological world.

Quick information

Curriculum overview

Curriculum intention

Assessment criteria

What do we teach?

KS3
GCSE

Key Stage 3

As a department we think it is vital before starting each unit of work that every student understands how it fits into the big picture and exactly why they are studying the topic. This is delivered in the classroom and through the department’s website in pupil speak. Each class has one teacher for the year and the teaching team follow a consistent scheme of work leading up to GCSE ICT or computing.

The internet is a fantastic invention; it can also be quite a dangerous place. By the end of this unit students will have learnt how to operate safely online and will have gained an understanding about the way computer equipment in general is shaping the world we live in. This a crucial and developing area of study that also includes other digital media including mobile app technology. This topic is reinforced every year and also plays a part in the school pastoral programme, tutor time and whole school assemblies. In addition to this all pupils are given a sound grounding in the schools tailored applications.

This is done because pupils join us in year 7 with varying levels of expertise depending upon the feeder primary school they came from. This benefits not just the department but the school in general as all subjects now require digitally literate pupils.

ICT

Office skills including: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Publisher
Microsoft Office or one of its components (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel) is among the top 10 skills required for almost all the job types. In year 7 the department aims to give every pupil a secure grounding in the main MS Office packages through carefully planned actives and teaching.

This bridges any knowledge or skill gaps a pupil might have from their primary provision and importantly provides the foundation blocks for success in KS4.

How Computers Work/Data Representation
Computers are really cleaver but complicated pieces of kit. By the end of this unit you will be able to recognise the major components within a computer, have a good understanding what their purpose is. You will also know how computers communicate with each other as well as how data is sorted in binary form within the computer. A basic understanding of how computers work and data is represented will be required for the GCSE ICT course with additional knowledge and understanding being required for the GCSE Computer Science course.

Almost every job today and certainly jobs of the future require some technical knowledge. A knowledge of computers and computing software will give applicants a competitive edge over their competitors in the job market.

Computer Studies

Computational Thinking
Computational thinking is not only the cornerstone programming today but of problem-solving skill in general. This unit of work gives pupils plenty of opportunities to explore this strand of Computer Science.

By giving KEVI pupils computational strategies and models to follow the purpose is to nurture and develop independent resilient learners that are successful not only in Computer Science but all subjects too.

Programming
Understanding computers and learning the basics of coding helps children to develop an appreciation of how things work. It also teaches them how software engineers use math in order to solve problems in a logical and creative way.

Programming is the cornerstone of the Computer Science curriculum and subjects directly benefiting from the unit of study include: Maths, Science and Design Technology.

Website Coding
The internet is the go too knowledge base of the 21st century with webpages underpinning the entire network. This unit of work gives some insight into how webpages are constructed firstly using compilers and then code itself.

A basic understanding of HTML mark-up code is cited as core skill by many employers as more and more businesses expand onto the web.

GCSE

In Year 9 students get ready to select their options and can chose from GCSE ICT 9-1 (OCR) or GCSE 9-1 Computer Science (OCR) The KS3 curriculum prepares students so they are ready to start these courses with some additional skills that are taught in year 10. These courses provide students with the experience and qualification ready to progress to vocational careers, further and even higher education to a vast range of job sectors. These courses support both ends of the spectrum allowing for higher level project management jobs and more vocational based apprenticeships. Able and talented Students studying either strand of the discipline are encouraged to work in an independent and enquiring manner. This is supported outside the classroom by the subject’s website, during lunchtimes and after school support sessions that the department runs every week.

ICT

Again building on our KS3 foundations, the Information Technology GCSE draws from many of the 3 strands detailed above in Table 1. With the full three years we intend to provide all students with a strong subject foundation from where learning can be enriched and enhanced; leading to exam success for all our students.

Students will learn about tools and techniques for use in different digital hardware and software technologies, and how these can be integrated to create digital solutions to manage and communicate data and information. They will also be taught what data and information are and the legal, ethical and moral considerations when using technology to gather, store and present data and information, and how to mitigate the risks of cyber-attacks. Through this qualification they will be able to select and use the most appropriate technology safely and effectively, to complete a variety of data management tasks.

Computer Science

Building on our KS3 foundations, the Computer Science GCSE draws from all of the 3 strands detailed above in Table 1. With the full three years we intend to provide all students with a strong subject foundation from where learning can be enriched and enhanced; leading to exam success for all our students.

Problem solving skills will be enhanced through a series of enriched programming topics. Formal programming used in exams will get greater emphasis. Students will not simply learn to program computers in one language such as Python, or VB.net, rather, they will be knowledgeable of programming itself. In addition to this, students will be learning how to rationalise their designing and decision in report format.

Deep understanding of all computer sciences core concepts will be achieved over time through class work and meaningful research.