We use cookies on our website to ensure that we give you the best experience. This includes cookies from third party social media websites, especially on pages where embedded content from social media can be found. Such third party cookies may track your use of our website. To continue with cookies, please click 'Accept' below. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time.
We aim to develop pupils’ skills in the use of ICT in an ever changing digital world. Our curriculum promotes confidence in the use of ICT, and the ability to use a wide range of software.
The core principle underpinning our KS3 curriculum is for our students to be active and engaged users and creators in the emerging digital economy. Our KS3 curriculum is designed to allow students to have access to both Computer Science and Information Technologies and make informed choices on how they pursue the subjects as they continue their learning journey through KS4 and beyond. Digital Literacy and programming skills will increasingly be an integral part of future professions. The curriculum content at KS3 is both knowledge and skill focused. By the end of Year 7 and Year 8 students will;
Have sufficient knowledge to stay safe on line understanding the types and potential threats of Malware and how potential issues from these programmes can be avoided.
Develop knowledge, skills and understanding through key computational concepts. Design and develop computer programmes (Block) which make use of loops, variables and if statements. Be able to test their programmes through problem solving and analytical thinking.
Design and develop simple models which reflect real life situations. Identify different data types, use formulae and simple functions to create their models and understand and test changes to the data.
Develop knowledge and understanding of the physical components of a computer, the role/purpose of the components and how computers work. Understand why computers use binary code and be able to convert denary numbers to binary and the reverse. Understand why programmers use Hexadecimal and be able to convert the code to binary and denary. Identify Logic Gates and be able to complete truth tables. Develop simple algorithms to solve real life situations.
Both knowledge and skill acquisition covered above will be demonstrated and assessed through Microsoft Teams assignments and Class notebook. Students upload their live projects which will then be assessed against the assessment criteria. This platform also allows for individual dialogue with each student.
Students have the option to choose ICT/Computer Science in Year 9. The programme of study has been amended for 2021/2022 to allow for closing gaps (particularly Practical skills) in learning due to the pandemic, and to incorporate specification changes for Cambridge Nationals Information Technologies which are due to commence September 2022 (First Teaching). Year 9 Students who opt for ICT/Computer Science will study the following units;
The units that students study have been sequenced taking into account prior knowledge and experience of Computer Science delivery and KS1 and KS2. The initial units covered will allow students to develop their practical/software skills and understand how to best use computers as a tool to further enhance their learning in ICT/Computer Science and other subjects that they study. Subsequent units will build on their initial experience technical understanding. All course content for delivery at KS3 has been meticulously mapped to back from course specifications at KS4, Computer Science GCSE OCR J277 and Cambridge Nationals Information Technologies J808.
All aspects of the KS3 curriculum taught will need to be retained for KS4, depending on the pathway chosen by individual students. In delivering the curriculum content a range of skills and applications are used to give students the opportunity to experience and develop their practical skills alongside knowledge acquisition and prepare them for progression to either ICT or Computer Science at KS4.
Students take Component 01 and Component 02 to be awarded the OCR GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science. There is also a requirement to complete a 20 timetabled hours programming project for submission (not assessed)
COMPONENT 01
1.1 Systems architecture: Students will study;
1.2 Memory: Students will study;
1.3 Storage: Students will study
1.4 Wired and wireless networks: Students will study;
1.5 Network topologies, protocols and layers: Students will study;
1.6 System security: Students will study;
1.7 Systems software: Students will study;
1.8 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns: Students will study;
COMPONENT 02
2.1 Algorithms: Students will study;
2.2 Programming techniques: Students will study;
2.3 Producing robust programs: Students will study;
2.4 Computational logic: Students will study;
2.5 Translators and facilities of languages: Students will study;
2.6 Data representation: Students will study;
year 7 (9 weeks) |
E Safety
Program with Scratch
Basic Spreadsheets
|
|
---|---|---|
Year 8 (9 weeks) |
Input / Output / Storage
CPU
Binary / Hex
Logic Gates and Truth Tables
|
|
year 9 Creatives |
Lessons: 1 hour per week Each unit is approximately 6 weeks
Introduction to Python
Python Next Steps
Data Modelling
Spreadsheets again
A.I. and Machine Learning
Computer Networks
|
|
Cambridge Nationals in ICT - Year 10 |
LO1: Tools and techniques
LO2: Planning Tools
LO4: Data
LO3: With Skills Practice
LO5/6/7: With Skills Practice
|
Assessment Overview: (50%) RO12 Understanding Tools, techniques, methods and processes for technological solutions: Marks 80/Duration 1hr 45 mins
Exam: Written Paper (50%) R013 Developing technological solutions: Marks 80/Duration 2 hrs
Grading: All results are awarded on the following scale
Level 2 - Distinction* (2*)
Distinction (D2)
Merit (M2)
Pass (P2)
Level 1 - Distinction (D1)
Merit (M1)
Pass (P1)
Unclassified
|
Cambridge Nationals in ICT - Year 11 |
R13: Coursework
LO8: Review and Evaluate
Revision and Exam Practice
|
GCSE COMPUter science Scheme of work | ||
---|---|---|
year and term | topic | subjects |
Year 10 Autumn |
2.4 Boolean logic
2.1 Algorithms
2.2 Programming fundamentals
|
2.4.1 Boolean logic
2.1.1 Computational thinking
2.1.2 Designing, creating and refining algorithms
2.1.3 Searching and sorting algorithms
2.2.1 Programming fundamentals (Variables, constants, print, if, while, for loops)
2.2.2 Data types
|
Year 10 Spring |
1.1 Systems Architecture
1.2 Memory and storage
1.4 Network security
|
1.1.1 Architecture of the CPU
1.1.2 CPU Performance
1.1.3 Embedded systems
1.2.1 Primary storage (Memory)
1.2.2 Secondary storage
1.2.3 Units
1.2.4 Data storage
1.2.5 Compression
1.4.1 Threats to computer systems and networks
1.4.2 Identifying and preventing vulnerabilities
|
Year 10 Summer |
1.3 Computers networks, connections and protocols
1.5 Systems software
2.2 Programming fundamentals
|
1.3.1 Networks and topologies
1.3.2 Wired and wireless networks, protocols and layers
1.5.1 Operating systems
1.5.2 Utility software
2.2.3 Additional programming techniques
|
Year 11 Autumn |
2.5 Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments
2.3 Producing robust programs
1.6 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology
|
2.5.1 Languages
2.5.2 The Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
2.3.1 Defensive design
2.3.2 Testing
1.6.1 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact
|