Computing and ICT
Aims
We strive to plan and deliver a curriculum that is enriched and relevant to the technologically advanced world we live in today.
We aim to prepare all students to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Our key aim is to develop our students’ understanding of Computing theory and their ability to solve problems using computational tools. Students learn how computers and telecommunications equipment work, and how they may be applied to the storage, retrieval, transmission and manipulation of data. By the end of Key Stage 3, all students should effectively, responsibly, and safely use a range of digital technologies.
Teaching and Learning
Lessons contain a range of learning activities to encourage students to become independent learners. Students work collaboratively to solve problems and to develop their knowledge and understanding through the acquisition of key skills. All lessons consist of a mixture of teacher demonstrations, student exploration, questioning and discussion and reflection on what has been learned. Lessons are differentiated to cater for teaching and learning needs of all our students.
Assessment for learning
Assessment and student progress is at the centre of what we do in the classroom. Formal assessment takes place at the end of each unit through both a written test and assessment of class work. We believe students should be aware of how well they are doing and what they need to do in order to improve. Students’ work is marked regularly and our lessons incorporate directed improvement and reflection time for students to receive teacher’s written feedback and act on it to improve their work. Opportunities are also provided for students to assess their own and others’ work. We believe our students should be reflective and aware of how they can improve their own work.
Home Learning
The department sets homework regularly for all year groups. Homework will normally require the use of the computer and students will need to use IT rooms during lunch to complete work if access to a computer is not available at home. Homework tasks are designed to help students reinforce key concepts, process and solidify new information, provide time for extra practice of skills, and reflect on how much they've learned. Students select tasks from a “homework menu” with a variety of tasks with varying levels of difficulty.
Show my Homework – all home learning activities will be published by individual staff members on the Show My Homework website which can be found by following the link on the school’s homepage. Students and parents can access this through their accounts or by filtering the results.
Equipment
Students are issued with a folder where they file all their work including written feedback from the teacher. These are kept in school. Students are expected to have a USB memory stick for backing up all their work and transferring files between school and the home computer when necessary.
Key Stage 3
Computing
Programme of Study
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Year |
Autumn term |
Spring term |
Summer term |
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7 |
E-safety and Cybersecurity Computational thinking and Algorithms |
Introduction to Spreadsheet Modelling Data representation: Binary |
Programming the BBC Micro:bit Digital Creativity: Animation |
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Assessments |
End of unit assessments. |
End of unit assessments. |
End of unit assessments. End of year examination |
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8 |
How computers work Digital creativity: Web development |
Digital creativity: Sound manipulation using Audacity Data representation: Binary |
Advanced Spreadsheets Introduction to databases Python Programming |
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Assessments |
End of unit assessments |
End of unit assessments |
End of unit assessments End of year examination |
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Additional Information |
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Year 7 and 8 are encouraged to join the Coding club which runs every Thursday at lunch time. As part of our enrichment program, all year 8 students take part in the annual Computational Thinking Challenge run by University of Oxford. ICT rooms are open at lunch times for Years 7 to 11. Students are free to come in and use IT facilities. |
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How Parents/ Carers can help |
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Key websites Encourage your daughter to use the following websites to read around the topics they cover in school. HTTP://WWW.BBC.CO.UK/EDUCATION/SUBJECTS/ZVC9Q6F Practical help It is vital for parents to support their children in the use of ICT in a productive and safe manner. This helps to support their learning and achievement across the whole curriculum. TV/Radio programmes The gadget show – The gadget show is a Channel 5 series which focuses on consumer technology. BBC Click – Click is the BBC’s flagship technology programme. And can be found across five BBC channels. |
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If you have any further questions about this course, to whom do I speak? |
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Mr Guchu (Head of Computing and ICT), Ms Naqavi or Ms Terrelonge |
Key Stage 4
Level 1/2 Cambridge National Certificate in Information Technologies
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Programme of Study |
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Students follow the Level 1/2 OCR Cambridge National Certificate n Information Technologies syllabus Specification number: J808 Link to the specification website : HTTPS://WWW.OCR.ORG.UK/IMAGES/371960-SPECIFICATION.PDF Module 1: Stages of the project life cycle Module 2: Mitigating the risks for a project Module 3: Planning and reviewing project phases Module 4: Creating, updating, deleting and using data Module 5: Presenting information in a meaningful way Module 6: Final evaluation for a project Module 7: Collecting and storing data Module 8: Cyber security – threats and preventions Module 9: Legislations and data reliability
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Accreditation Structure |
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| Understanding tools, techniques, methods and processes for technological solutions |
1 hour 45 minutes written examination 80 marks OCR-set and marked |
50% of total qualification |
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Developing technological solutions |
Controlled assessment (20 hours) |
50% of total qualification |
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Additional Information |
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Revision: After school revision sessions. Breakfast revision leading up to the final examination. Clinics: Lunch time and after school support clinics arranged for written examinations and controlled assessments. Careers guidance: Discussion with ICT teachers and the careers advisor.
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How Parents/ Carers can help |
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Key websites
HTTP://WWW.BBC.CO.UK/EDUCATION/LEVELS/Z98JMP3 Practical help Ensuring students have quiet space for revision and access to the internet so that students can access resources in school from home. Examination technique Revise using the following text books: Cambridge Nationals Level 1/2 Information Technologies, Sonia Stuart and Brian Gillinder. ISBN: 978-1-5104-2327 5 My revision notes, Cambridge Level 1/2 Information Technologies, Sonia Stuart. ISBN: 978-1-5104-2328-2 |
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If you have any further questions about this course, to whom do I speak? |
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Mr Guchu, Ms Terrelonge |
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Key Stage 4
GCSE Computer Science
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Programme of Study |
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Year 9 follow the OCR GCSE Computer Science syllabus. Link to the specification website : HTTP://WWW.OCR.ORG.UK/QUALIFICATIONS/GCSE-COMPUTER-SCIENCE-J276-FROM-2016/
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Accreditation Structure |
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Additional Information |
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Revision: After school revision sessions. Breakfast revision leading up to the final examination. Clinics: Lunch time and after school support clinics arranged for written examinations. Careers guidance: Discussion with ICT teachers and the careers advisor. |
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How Parents/ Carers can help |
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Key websites HTTP://WWW.TEACH-ICT.COM/2016/GCSE_COMPUTING/OCR_J276/OCR_J276_HOME.HTML Practical help Ensuring students have quiet space for revision and access to the internet so that students can access resources in school from home. |
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If you have any further questions about this course, to whom do I speak? |
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Mr Guchu (Head of Computing and ICT), Ms Naqavi or Ms Terrelonge |
Key Stage 5
BTEC National Extended Certificate in Information Technology
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Programme of Study |
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Students follow the AQA A level ICT Syllabus. The last exams for this qualification will be written in summer 2018. Specification number: 2520 Link to the specification website :
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Accreditation Structure |
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Additional Information |
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Revision: After school revision sessions. Weekend revision webinars to ensure full preparation for written examination. Clinics: Lunch time and after school support clinics to support students with exam preparation and completion of coursework. Careers guidance: Discussion with ICT teachers and careers advisor. UCAS: Teachers will support students with personal statements and provide written references. |
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How Parents/ Carers can help |
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Key websites: HTTPS://WWW.KNOWITALLNINJA.COM Practical help: Ensuring students have quiet space for studying and access to the internet so that students can access resources in school from home. Examination technique: Revise using past exam papers and mark schemes available on the school network. |
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If you have any further questions about this course, to whom do I speak? |
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Mr Guchu or Ms Naqavi |