ICT

Within year 7 students are introduced to the basics of Computing. This includes the setting up of accounts and filing systems online, the introduction of school email accounts as well as theoretical concepts in Computing. Data representation is taught at a basic level through the use of Binary and Denary and pupils are taught about different hardware and software that makes up computers as we know them today within the digital world.

If time allows pupils may also be introduced to ICT content such as spreadsheets and animation. Pupils will also be taught programming through the use of BBC micro: bits.

Assessment will be carried out at the end of every two terms within the department. This will comprise of pupils being given a task to complete under timed conditions – 1 lesson and will be from a GCSE exam paper. This will be marked and moderated across the department.

Throughout key stage 3 there will be opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities. A visit to Bletchley Park will be organised for pupils in key stage 3 on a first-come first-served basis. Other activities such as computing club which includes game programming and creating your own barcode designs will also be offered at different points during the year.

Within year 8 pupils are introduced to the idea of cryptography. Cryptography is one of the backbones of Computing with the topic being taught in relation to the code breakers at Bletchley Park during WW2 and how the developments of cryptography allow us to live as we do today. This is project based work with software such as PowerPoints, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel being used. This also has strong cross-curricular links with History topics pupils cover throughout the school.

Assessment will be carried out at the end of every two terms within the department. This will comprise of pupils being given a task to complete under timed conditions – 1 lesson and will be from a GCSE exam paper. This will be marked and moderated across the department.

Throughout key stage 3 there will be opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities. A visit to Bletchley Park will be organised for pupils in key stage 3 on a first-come first-served basis. Other activities such as computing club which includes game programming and creating your own barcode designs will also be offered at different points during the year.

Within Year 9 pupils use many different pieces of software to create an end product. This is multi-media based with pupils using skills learned in years 7 and 8 to create a product for a given scenario. This includes pupils learning about users’ needs and different audiences as well as the planning process that goes into creating products.

Pupils may also be introduced to programming in Python depending on the group they are in and time allowances.

Assessment will be carried out at the end of every two terms within the department. This will comprise of pupils being given a task to complete under timed conditions – 1 lesson and will be from a GCSE exam paper. This will be marked and moderated across the department.

Throughout key stage 3 there will be opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities. A visit to Bletchley Park will be organised for pupils in key stage 3 on a first-come first-served basis. Other activities such as computing club which includes game programming and creating your own barcode designs will also be offered at different points during the year.

Cambridge Nationals in ICT

OCR

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals-ict-level-1-2-j800-j810-j820/

Year 10

R003: Handling Data using Spreadsheets

Students work to a design brief to create a fully functional spreadsheet with help guides. This includes the use of formulas and functions as well as macros and advanced spreadsheet skills.

R005: Creating an Interactive Product using multimedia Components

Students work to a design brief to create a PowerPoint with a range of media within it. The scenario is changed yearly with students having to research different audiences and needs of the user in order to create an end product.

Year 11

R002: Using ICT to Create Business Solutions

Students are given a brief for a company. It is the students requirement to create documentation for the given audience in order for them to be able to use ICT in a professional way. Students are taught a wide range of skills on a range of software in order to fulfil this requirement.

R001: Written Exam

The written exam element of the course is worth 25% of the overall grade lasting 1 hour. Students learn the theory behind ICT including different laws involved in the running of ICT and businesses. Other elements include explanation and discussion behind a range of areas within ICT with students being able to justify reasons for choices.

Every unit within Cambridge Nationals is worth 25% of the overall grade. Units R001, R003 and R005 are all controlled assessment units which are moderated externally. The assessments take place over several weeks.

R005 and R003 assessments are carried out within Year 10 once the controlled assessments have been completed and then externally moderated.

R002 assessment is carried out within Year 11 and assessed by the teachers which are then moderated.

R001 is an exam which will be sat at the end of Year 11 during the public exam season.

Throughout the 2 years different activities and sessions will be offered to students based on what they are learning and completing at the time. This will include intervention sessions, extra revision clubs and the opportunity for a media enhancement club when completing the R005 unit.