Computing
The Computing and ICT curriculum aims to help pupils develop skills on a computer that:
- Develop their ability to think in a logical order
- Develop their creative problem thinking skills
- Develop their basic ICT skills
- Develop the awareness on E safety.
Computing covers the three main strands of Computing Creativity, Programing and Digital Literacy. At Key stage 4 computing is cover by the formal qualification of BTEC tech Award DIT in where they can gain a Level 1 or Level 2 certificate or OCR Functional Skills
Computing at Key Stage 3
The Key Stage 3 Computing curriculum is a two-year cycle that covers the computing National Curriculum.
| Term | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Coding with Microbit The aim of this unit is to build learners’ confidence and knowledge of the key programming constructs. The main programming concepts covered in this unit are sequencing, variables, selection, and count-controlled iteration. All of the examples and activities for this unit use Scratch, and Microbit. |
Representation of data This unit conveys essential knowledge relating to binary representations. The activities gradually introduce students to binary digits and how they can be used to represent text and numbers. The concepts are linked to practical applications and problems that the learners are familiar with. |
| Spring | Using Media During this unit, learners develop their understanding of information technology and digital literacy skills. They will use the skills learnt across the unit to create a blog post about a real-world cause that they would like to gain support for. Learners will develop software formatting skills and explore concerns surrounding the use of other people’s work, including licensing and legal issues. |
Mobile App Development In a world where there’s an app for every possible need, this unit aims to take the students from designer to project manager to developer in order to create their own mobile app. Using App Lab from code.org, students will familiarise themselves with the coding environment and have an opportunity to build on the programming concepts they used in previous units before undertaking their project. Students will consider the needs of the user; decompose the project into smaller, more manageable parts; use the pair programming approach to develop their app together; and finish off by evaluating the success of the project against the needs of the user. |
| Summer | History and Hardware This unit aims to teach learners where computers came to have an understanding of who the Key people are in computing history and how computer help us in are day to day life. This unit will also show the student the parts of the computer and how they work. |
Modelling Data The spreadsheet unit for KS3 takes learners from having very little knowledge of spreadsheets to being able to confidently model data with a spreadsheet. The unit uses engaging activities to progress learners from using basic formulas to writing their own COUNTIF statements. This unit will give learners a good set of skills that they can use in computing lessons and in other subject areas. |
Computing at Key Stage 4
During year 10 and 11 our students there is two paths for students to follow the first is BTEC Tech Award in Digital Information Technology (DIT), which can be attained at Level 1 and Level 2. The other route is to complete the OCR Functional Skills in ICT which has levels from Entry 1 up to Level 2 which colleges would as a 4 Grade.
BTEC Tech Award in Digital Information Technology (DIT)
In this course students need to complete 3 Component two of coursework and one is an exam.
Component One – Coursework
Students will develop their understanding of what makes an effective user interface and how to effectively manage a project. They will use this understanding to plan, design and create a user interface. Student will use project planning techniques to plan and design a user interface. The they will Develop and review a user interface preparation
Component Two – Coursework
Students will understand the characteristics of data and information and how they help organisations in decision making. They will use data manipulation methods to create a dashboard to present and draw conclusions from information. Students will understand the characteristics of data and information and how they help organisations in decision making. They will use data manipulation methods to create a dashboard to present and draw conclusions from information. Students will understand the characteristics of data and information and how they help organisations in decision making. They will use data manipulation methods to create a dashboard to present and draw conclusions from information.
Component Three – Exam
Students will explore how the developments in technology over recent years have enabled modern organisations to communicate and collaborate more effectively than ever before. The component is designed to allow students to explore the digital systems available to organisations and how their features have an impact on the way organisations operate. students will explore how developments in technology have led to more inclusive and flexible working environments, and how regulation and ethical and security concerns influence the way in which organisations operate
Functional Skills
This course tests the student basic ICT skill on Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint. As well as test how we can set up a computer and personalise the computer to their or someone else needs.
https://code.org/educate/applab
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/alan-turing-creator-of-modern-computing/zhwp7
Hopefully this page has all the information you need, if you require further information speak to the Centre Manager for your centre who will be able to answer any queries.