Computing

YEAR 7

In year 7, students are taught in mixed ability groups and have one lesson per week for the full year. They use a variety of interactive resources that enable them to experience real life situations and see how computers can be used effectively in a variety of contexts.

The materials follow the new computing curriculum and are adapted for the use of APPs. The schemes for learning cover a number of areas of computing including:

  • Digital Literacy- Becoming an effective and efficient user.
  • Computer Systems: Hardware, software, networks and the internet.
  • Data Handling- Spreadsheets.
  • Swift Programming- Computational thinking.
  • E-Safety- Online safety and awareness.
  • Game Making- Programming with Kodu.

Students are given the opportunities to become effective and efficient users of computers at an independent level. The curriculum is exciting and inspires our students to use their computer skills in other areas of their learning.

 Year 7 Full Year
Autumn 1 Full Year of Study:  Baseline test (assessment 1)  Digital Literacy- Login & Passwords, Introduction to School Network – OneDrive, Firefly, Email, Office 365.  Digital Footprint and Security  KS3 Digital Literacy Skills and Knowledge (Assessment 2)   
Autumn 2 Computer Systems  Computer Systems- Hardware and Software, Input/Outputs, Internal/External, Secondary Storage Devices, Connection/Network hardware, PC (Assessment 3) on Connections, Software-Operating Systems.   
Spring 1 Swift Playgrounds- New Swift Programming Language  *Commands  *Functions  *For Loops  *Conditional Code  (Students engage in other Swift Playgrounds of their choice, learning code independently optional.)  Code Cracking- PigPen Cipher, Caesar Ciphers.  (Assessment 4)   
Spring 2 Excel Data Handling- Spreadsheets. Introduction to Excel User Interface, Formatting Cells, Efficient Formulas and IF Statements, Conditional Formatting and Data Validation.   (Assessment 5)   
Summer 1 E-Safety- Social Media, Fake News, Online Security, Live Streaming, Positive Digital World, Age-Inappropriate Content, Game and Gambling.  (Assessment 6)   
Summer 2 KODU Game Making- Introduction to KODU- game making, creating your World, Adding Characters, Adding Objects, Programming your Game, Testing your Game, and Improvements in Code.  (Assessment 7)    End of Year Assessment (Assessment 8)   

YEAR 8

In year 8, students are taught in mixed ability groups on a carousel for half of the school year and, have one lesson per week. The curriculum in Year 8 builds on the students’ learning and skills from year 7 and the scheme for learning covers the following:

  • Computer Systems: Hardware, software, networks and the internet.
  • Data Handling- Spreadsheets.
  • Micro:bit Programming
 Year 8 
Autumn 1 Study Rotation One:  Baseline test (assessment 1)  Computer Systems- Hardware and Software, Input/Outputs, Internal/External, Secondary Storage Devices, Connection/Network hardware, PC (Assessment 2) on Connections, Software-Operating Systems.   
Autumn 2 Excel Data Handling- Spreadsheets.  Introduction to Excel User Interface, Formatting Cells, Efficient Formulas and IF Statements, Conditional Formatting and Data Validation.   (Assessment 3)   
Spring 1 Microbits, Introductions to Hardware and Software, User Interface, First coding projects- Blocks, LEDs, Loops and Strings.  Game Making, variables, Inputs, Accelerometer.  Controlling robots, Advanced coding blocks. PC (Assessment 4)     
Spring 2 Study Rotation Two:  Baseline test (assessment 1)  Computer Systems- Hardware and Software, Input/Outputs, Internal/External, Secondary Storage Devices, Connection/Network hardware, PC (Assessment 2) on Connections, Software-Operating Systems.     
Summer 1 Excel Data Handling- Spreadsheets. Introduction to Excel User Interface, Formatting Cells, Efficient Formulas and IF Statements, Conditional Formatting and Data Validation.   (Assessment 3)   
Summer 2 Microbits, Introductions to Hardware and Software, User Interface, First coding projects- Blocks, LEDs, Loops and Strings.  Game Making, variables, Inputs, Accelerometer.  Controlling robots, Advanced coding blocks. PC (Assessment 4)     

YEAR 9

Students are taught in mixed ability groups on a carousel for half of the school year and, have one lesson per week. They develop a variety of Computing skills as they study areas of both Computer Science and Creative iMedia, a client brief based mini project.

The course enables students further to develop their ICT skills in a cross curricular manner and prepares them well for the Creative iMedia course in year 10.

 Year 9 
Autumn 1 Study Rotation One:  Baseline test (assessment 1)  Microbits, Introductions to Hardware and Software, User Interface, First coding projects- Blocks, LEDs, Loops and Strings.  Game Making, variables, Inputs, Accelerometer.  Controlling robots, Advanced coding blocks. PC (Assessment 2)   
Autumn 2 Binary- Understanding Binary, Convert Denary to Binary, Convert to Binary from Denary, Adding/Subtracting Binary Numbers, Making Pictures in Binary.  (Assessment 3)    Client Brief- Understanding a Client Brief, Visual Identity, Logo Design, Slogan/Strapline Design, Creating your Logo, Assests,  
Spring 1 Client Brief- Visual Identity Elements, Concept Sketch/Visualisation Diagram, Creating your Promotional Poster.  (Assessment 4)    End of Year Assessment (Assessment 5) 
Spring 2 Study Rotation Two:  Baseline test (assessment 1)  Microbits, Introductions to Hardware and Software, User Interface, First coding projects- Blocks, LEDs, Loops and Strings.  Game Making, variables, Inputs, Accelerometer.  Controlling robots, Advanced coding blocks. PC (Assessment 2)   
Summer 1 Binary- Understanding Binary, Convert Denary to Binary, Convert to Binary from Denary, Adding/Subtracting Binary Numbers, Making Pictures in Binary. (Assessment 3)    Client Brief- Understanding a Client Brief, Visual Identity, Logo Design, Slogan/Strapline Design, Creating your Logo, Assests,  
Summer 2 Client Brief- Visual Identity Elements, Concept Sketch/Visualisation Diagram, Creating your Promotional Poster.  (Assessment 4)    End of Year Assessment (Assessment 5) 

YEARS 10 AND 11

Students are given the opportunity to study Creative iMedia in Years 10 and 11.

Creative iMedia assesses the application of creative media skills through their practical use. Students will study essential knowledge, transferable skills and tools to improve their learning in other subjects with the aims of enhancing their employability when they leave education, contributing to their personal development and future economic well-being. The qualification will encourage independence, creativity and awareness of the digital media sector.

Students will study 3 units over 2 years:

R094 – NEA coursework worth 25% – Visual Identity and Digital Graphics

R097 – NEA coursework worth 35% – Creating an Interactive Digital Media product

R093 – External Exam worth 40% – Creative iMedia in Industry

Years 10 and 11 Curriculum

AutumnSpringSummer
Across the term students will learn about the Creative iMedia course and create pre-production documents to aid them with the planning, design and creation of media products.  This will also introduce students to exam content and preparation for the year 11 exam.
In half term 2 students will begin to develop graphic editing and manipulating skills and knowledge of tools and techniques using graphics editing software and create a solution to a client brief as a practice in preparation for the NEA project released on June 1st.
In half term 1 students will continue creating a solution to the practise NEA to further develop their skills in designing and creating a visual identity for a client brief.
During half term 2 students will begin the live NEA project using the skills and knowledge they have acquired.
Continuing further into half term 2 students follow the live NEA project; design and plan using pre-production documents and create a product using graphics editing software and submit it to the exam board at the end of May.
In half term 1 students learn the skills necessary to complete the second NEA coursework.
In half term 2 students will begin to practise the skills they need to complete a product for the second NEA coursework and begin and complete the live NEA coursework that was released on June 1st.
In half term 1 students learn the exam theory for the summer exam.
During half term 2 students will continue learning the exam content and practise exam questions.
Exam Preparation- revision and exam technique

YEARS 12 AND 13

Students are given the opportunity to study one of two different pathways in Years 12 and 13: BTEC IT Level 3; A-Level Computing.

BTEC Qualifications prepare students for the real world of work and further education, whilst enabling them to develop innovative ICT skills. The course stimulates students’ creativity and develops their practical skills. Students complete four units across the two years of the course, all adding to the equivalent UCAS points of an A-Level. There are two exams on this course and two coursework units. The four units studied consist of: Information Technology Systems; Creating Systems to Manage Information; Using Social Media in Business; Website Development.

A-Level Computing encourages students to develop an understanding of the organisation of computer systems, including software, hardware, data, communications and people. They will further their skills in project and time management, as well as the capacity to see relationships between different aspects of the subject, and perceive their field of study in a broader perspective. Students will undertake two exams in ‘Computer Systems’ and ‘Algorithms and Programming’, as well as a controlled assessment in the form of a ‘Programming Project’.

Years 12 and 13 Curriculum

AutumnSpringSummer
In half term 1 students begin Cambridge Technicals Level 3 in Digital Media.  They are given an introduction to the course and learn about unit 1 – Media Products and Audiences in preparation for their exam in January.   In half term 2 students continue studying unit 1 – Media Products and Audiences and undertake exam preparation consisting of revision and exam technique.In half term 1 students sit the exam for unit 1 and begin coursework for Unit 21 – Planning and delivering a media product.   During half term 2 students complete the coursework for unit 21 – planning and delivering a media product and begin unit 3 coursework – creating a media product.Students will complete the unit 3 coursework – creating a media product and both pieces of coursework will be moderated in this term.    
In half term 1 students will be given an introduction into the exam and then begin to learn the theory for unit 2 – Pre-production and planning in preparation for the exam in January.   In half term 2 students continue studying unit 2 – Pre-production and planning and undertake exam preparation consisting of revision and exam technique.In half term 1 students sit the exam for unit 2 and begin coursework for unit 24 – Cross media industry awareness.   During half term 2 student complete the coursework for unit 24 – Cross media industry awareness and begin unit 20 coursework – Advertising media.Students will complete the unit 20 coursework – advertising media and both pieces of coursework will be moderated this term.   Students have an opportunity to resit the unit 1 / unit 2 exam in this term if it impacts upon their overall grades.