IT, Computing

We believe that our students should have the opportunity to follow an IT, Media and Computing curriculum that prepares them for life in modern Britain and the wider world.

Good quality IT & Media skills enable students to engage positively within the modern work place, while Computer Science skills enables students to take an active part in the design, development and creation of new technologies to be used in the world in which they live.

The core of the subject is understanding digital technology and how it can be developed and utilised. We draw and extend understanding from a range of other subjects outside of IT and Computing including DT, Graphics, Maths, Science and PHSE and embed literacy and numeracy skills through software use and development, problem solving and evaluation skills.

We provide a broad range of skills and experiences at KS3 which are then further developed as students enter KS4. 

At KS4 students all students are given the opportunity to study Creative Media; giving them a wide range of IT skills that are used in the modern world including Graphics Design, Media Production and Website Development.

Computer Science and IT will give our students the opportunity to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding and application of the key concepts and principles of Computer Science/IT

  • Understand and fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science
  • Be able to apply key algorithms and data representation and mathematical skills through practical and theoretical work.
  • Understand the key components that make up digital systems and how they communicate
  • Understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual, wider society, the ethical change s and cultural impacts as well as the positive and negative impacts digital technology has had on the environment
  • To equip learners with a range of creative media skills and provide opportunities to develop, in context, desirable, transferable skills in areas such as research, planning and evaluation

Analyse problems in computational terms:

To make reasoned judgements

To design, program, evaluate and refine solutions.

  • Plan and develop software using the software design life cycle
  • Use a range of software design techniques such as flowcharts, pseudocode and visualisation diagrams
  • Develop key problem solving skills of Abstraction, Decomposition and Algorithmic thinking
  • Develop key skills and practical experience in script based programming languages and be able to design, write and debug programs to solve non simplistic problems.
  • To be able to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically when solving problems.
  • Be able to make informed decisions on appropriate and efficient coding techniques such as sequence, selection, iteration and the use of functions
  • To be able to design, Program, evaluate and refine solutions to problems

 Intent

Year 7

  • The year 7 curriculum is designed to cover the following areas
  • Computer Use and Online Safety
  • Digital Media
  • Computer Science
  • IT

Year 7 Curriculum Intent

  • Ensure students are safe users of computers in terms of online and e-safety and in their general use of IT
  • Introduce file management skills that they can use for all subjects
  • Introduce key numeracy topics
  • Introduce problem solving skills using flow charts
  • Introduce/extend block programming skills
  • Introduce the concept of physical computing
  • Introduce the basic constructs of script based programming

Year 8

  • The year 8 curriculum is designed to cover the following areas
  • Computer Science
  • IT
  • Creative Media

Year 8 Curriculum Intent

  • Develop their appreciation of Media and Computing and how ideas inspired the technologies of today
  • Develop students awareness of the impact of Media & IT on society (good and bad)
  • Further develop and extend key computing topics
  • Develop problem solving skills and understanding of key algorithms
  • Develop a deeper understanding of script-based programming languages and be able to use these to solve problems
  • Introduce and basic HTML web development skills
  • Develop basic and extended graphic design skills

Year 9

  • The year 9 curriculum is designed to cover the following areas
  • Computer Science
  • IT
  • Creative Media

Year 9 Curriculum Intent

  • To be safe and confident users of IT and Computing resources
  • Develop a clear understanding of the difference between Computer Science and Media in preparation for options
  • Extend key computing topics
  • Develop problem solving skills and understanding of key algorithms
  • Develop a deeper understanding of script-based programming languages and be able to use these to solve exam styled problems
  • Develop a deeper understanding of product development in preparation for BTEC Media