Computing (Computing, IT and Creative iMedia)

Computing Team

Mrs N Outa	Head of Computing
Mr A Kite	Teacher of Computing
Dr O Bean	Teacher of Computing

Our Curriculum Intent

KS3

Our KS3 curriculum, Year 7 to 9, intends to provide students with the key skills and knowledge of computing disciplines. The scheme of work has been designed to ensure that it is relevant to the modern, ever-changing digital world and designed to boost computing skills essential for the 21st century. Students will not only learn how computers work, but how to program them. The topics covered will adequately prepare them for progression into GCSE courses offered by the department.

KS4

Our GCSE in Computer Science builds on our KS3 curriculum. Relevant to the modern, changing world of computing, it’s designed to boost computing skills essential for the 21st century.

The OCR specification focuses on:

• Computational thinking as its core, helping students to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand human and machine intelligence

• Applying the academic principles they learn in the classroom to real-world systems in an exciting and engaging way

• Giving students a clear progression into higher education, as the course was designed after consultation with members of BCS, CAS and top universities.

KS5

The content of the qualifications offered have been developed in consultation with academics to ensure that they incorporate the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to enable progression to higher education.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Computing

This course allows students to gain fundamental knowledge and skills in Computer Science, computer systems, IT security and App Development. This will enable students to progress to broader or more specialist study such as a BTEC Higher National in a computing discipline, a degree in a Computing or where computing-related skills and knowledge may be advantageous, such as Business Studies.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology

This course is designed for students who are interested in an introduction to the study of creating IT systems to manage and share information alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in IT. Students will develop a common core of IT knowledge and study areas such as the relationship between hardware and software that form an IT system, managing and processing data to support business and using IT to communicate and share information.

What Will Students Learn In Each Year?

What will my child learn in Year 7?

Computer Science

Students have a lesson each week dedicated to Computer Science, beginning with designing a computer game for a competition organised by BAFTA, before moving onto understanding algorithms and learning how to program using Scratch. Understanding the internal workings of a computer and developing the programming using Small Basic. Finally, students will learn about Cyber Security.

Term 1 BAFTA Young Gamers	To learn about the evolution of Gaming To understand how to explore games and identify features To understand how to analyse existing games To understand and make use of the Computational Thinking terms Be able to utilise a range of features from various games in order to finalise your idea To understand how to design your game Be able to identify events and actions Be able to understand and apply branding to your game To learn about how to prepare a pitch
Term 2 Flowol Algorithms	Understanding Algorithm and examples Identify control flowchart symbols and understand how they are used to describe systems Understanding Flowol software Understand how the use of subroutines can make programs more efficient Understand what a variable is and explain how variables can be used to control systems
Term 3 Scratch Programming	Understand that Scratch is a programming environment and understand what is meant by an algorithm Create a sprite and write code to make it move and bounce Write algorithms which use variables to hold values Annotate a program with comments Understand the purpose of repeat loops and procedures (“broadcasts”) Understand the use of the operators <, =, >, and, or, not Learn how to add sound to a Scratch game
Term 4 Build a Paper Laptop	Distinguish between hardware and software Give examples of computer hardware and software Suggest appropriate input and output devices for a simple scenario Explain what RAM and ROM are used for Explain the purpose of a Motherboard Understand the purpose of a CPU and fan Understand the purpose of secondary storage and expansion cards
Term 5 Small Basic Programming	Learn how to write and run a simple Small Basic program using turtle graphics To use a For..EndFor loop to repeat a series of instructions several times To use variables in a program To draw different shapes using turtle graphics To use selection statements If…Then and If…Then…Else To use the RandomNumber function To use a While…EndWhile loop
Term 6 Cyber Security	Know what Python is and some of the applications it is used for Run a simple Python program in Interactive mode using the input and print functions Understand what a syntax error is and how to interpret an error message Understand the use and value of using comments Understand the importance of using correct data types: string, integer or float Write a program involving input, calculation and output Use selection statements if, else and elif in a program Use a while loop in a program

IT and Digital Literacy

Students have a lesson every two weeks dedicated to ICT and will begin with learning how to use a computer safely and responsibly, following on from this they will develop some basic techniques within MS Excel and finally produce a Multi-Media Presentation.

Term 1 and 2

Using Computer Safely Responsibly

To learn to manage files in File Explorer and the importance of backup, dangers of social networking sites, how to respond to threats on the Internet, how to keep your identity secure on the Internet
Send, respond to emails and send image files before
Learn how to use a “search engine” effectively and efficiently
Appreciate that there is no guarantee that the information on the Internet is accurate

Term 3 and 4

Spreadsheet Modelling

To learn how to use Excel
To know the techniques needed to generate a spreadsheet – inputting numbers, formatting, formulae, vlookups, and inserting pictures
To understand the importance of using techniques to allow your spreadsheet to update automatically
To complete a project based on what you have learnt

Term 5 and 6

Multi-media Presentation

To be learn how to source, edit, create appropriate images and sounds
To learn how to use a consistent use of a range of text
To learn how to use Transitions/animations appropriate and add to presentation
To learn how to use consistent, relevant and appropriate/clear information
To learn how add a menu, using hyperlinks

What will my child learn in Year 8?

Computer Science

Students have a lesson each week dedicated to Computer Science, beginning with developing their programming knowledge using Small Basic, designing an app, before moving onto HTML programming and learning how to construct algorithms. Finally, students will learn about Cyber Security.

Term 1 Flowol Algorithms	Understanding Algorithm and examples Identify control flowchart symbols and understand how they are used to describe systems Understanding Flowol software Understand how the use of subroutines can make programs more efficient Understand what a variable is and explain how variables can be used to control systems
Term 2 Small Basic Programming	Learn how to write and run a simple Small Basic program using turtle graphics To use a For..EndFor loop to repeat a series of instructions several times To use variables in a program To draw different shapes using turtle graphics To use selection statements If…Then and If…Then…Else To use the RandomNumber function To use a While…EndWhile loop
Term 3 HTML Programming	Understand that the WWW and what HTML is and what it is used for Type basic HTML tags and edit the HTML code and view the changes in a browser Learn how CSS and write CSS code to set styles Learn the main principles of good website design Learn how to create a consistent look and feel throughout a website Add well-formatted content, including text and images, to each page Create internal and external links and make sure they all work
Term 4 Apps for Good	Understand what an app is and how it works Learn about the team roles and values available and what they entail Understand how to identify a problem and features from two apps they are familiar with e.g. touch screen, GPS, camera Identify local communities, the problems and impact the problem has on those affected Learn how to present a pitch for their chosen idea. Learn how identify the data an app will need Learn how to produce a paper prototype with the most essential features
Term 5 Python Programming	Know what Python is and some of the applications it is used for Run a simple Python program in Interactive mode using the input and print functions Understand what a syntax error is and how to interpret an error message Understand the use and value of using comments Understand the importance of using correct data types: string, integer or float Write a program involving input, calculation and output Use selection statements if, else and elif in a program Use a while loop in a program
Term 6 Cyber Security	To understand how the internet services we use impact our digital footprint How to make informed choices around what you post to your social media and the etiquette around this How copyright and intellectual property relates to content shared on the internet To understand what constitutes ethical, respectful behaviour on social media To understand how to keep yourself and your account safe

IT and Digital Literacy

Students have a lesson every two weeks dedicated to ICT and will begin with learning how to produce an E=Safety movie, following on from this they will develop some basic techniques within MS Excel and finally produce an Advert using Audacity.

Term 1 and 2

Spreadsheet Modelling

To learn how to use Excel
To know the techniques needed to generate a spreadsheet – inputting numbers, formatting, formulae, vlookups, and inserting pictures
To understand the importance of using techniques to allow your spreadsheet to update automatically
To complete a project based on what you have learnt

Term 3 and 4

Sound Editing using Audacity

To identify different sound file types
To learn how record, apply effects and delete sounds in Audacity
To explain the process of converting analogue sound waves to digital format
To be able to explain how an advert is suitable for audience and purpose
To learn how to design an advert
To learn how to assemble sound files into a radio advert
To learn how to export to an appropriate file type

Term 5 and 6

E-Safety using Movie Maker

Identify the advantages and disadvantages of a range of ways of communicating on the Internet
To learn how to design a movie using a story board
Learn how to utilise features and effects to create a movie using MoviePlus
To be able to explain how the movie is suitable for audience and purpose
Learn how to edit a movie using MoviePlus
Learn how to export a movie into an appropriate file type

What will my child learn in Year 9?

Computer Science

Students have a lesson each week dedicated to Computer Science, beginning with understanding about the parts of a computer, before moving onto Searching/Sorting Algorithms and developing their programming knowledge through using Python. Understanding how to produce web-ages using HTML. Finally, students will learn about some legal ethical issues in relation to Computing and AI learning.

Term 1 Understanding Computers	Distinguish between hardware and software Identify input, output and storage devices and the purpose of the CPU Explain what RAM and ROM are used for Data Representation State the typical capacities, strengths and weaknesses of different storage devices Discuss the different ways and applications in which modern technology is used
Term 2 Python Next Steps	Correctly read and understand an existing Python program Recall different data types Write an if-else statement Use a while/for loop to repeat a section of code Be able to store and update values in a list Understand what a procedure is Understand what a function is
Term 3 AI and Machine Learning	Understand the origin and uses of AI Describe uses of machine learning Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of machine learning Understand what ethics is Understand how jobs can be affected by AI and automation Understand issues that make facial recognition difficult
Term 4 Apps for Good	Understand what an app is and how it works Learn about the team roles and values available and what they entail Understand how to identify a problem and features from two apps they are familiar with e.g. touch screen, GPS, camera Identify local communities, the problems and impact the problem has on those affected Learn how to present a pitch for their chosen idea. Learn how identify the data an app will need Learn how to produce a paper prototype with the most essential features
Term 5 Searching/Sorting Algorithms	Understand the principles of computational thinking including Abstraction and Decomposition Be able to produce structure diagrams to show the structure of a problem Understand and use different types of search: Binary search and Linear search Understand the standard sort algorithms: Bubble sort, Insertion sort and Merge sort Be able to apply each algorithm to a data set Understand flowchart symbols Create, interpret, correct, complete and refine algorithms using flowcharts Understand arithmetic operators and variables
Term 2 HTML/CSS/Javascript	Understand that the WWW is a huge collection of websites all over the world Learn the purpose of HTML and the tags used Learn how to edit the HTML code and view the changes in a browser Learn how to use CSS, write CSS to set styles, Learn the principles of good website design Learn how to use tags to add text and images, Learn how to create links Learn how to create a web form Learn how to test web page content

IT and Digital Literacy

Students have a lesson every two weeks dedicated to ICT and will begin with learning how to use MS Excel to produce a costing model, before database design and learning some Imedia theory producing an album cover using PhotoPlus.

Term 1 and 2

Database Design

Understand what a database is and why it is useful
Learn what is meant by a flat file database, record, field
Learn how to create queries using multiple criteria and parameters
Learn how to design a database with one or two tables
Learning how to a validation
Learn how to add a calculated field
Learn how to create a form and make it user-friendly
Find, enter, modify and delete records using a form
Create a report based on a query

Term 3

Image Editing

To identify the purpose and properties of digital graphics
To lean how to design an Album Cover
To learn how to remove part of an image
To learn how to create layers
To learn how to re-size an image
To learn how to use blend modes and saturation
To learn how to use effects and enhancements
To learn how to add text
To learn how to export an image from an application

Term 4

IMedia Theory

Legal Considerations:

The purpose of, and reasons for, each legal consideration
What is required of media producers to comply with each legal consideration
The impact on individuals and media producers of media producers using and publishing inaccurate personal information

Intellectual Property Rights:

Know what is meant by intellectual property
The purpose of, and reasons for, legislation to protect intellectual property
What is required of media producers to respect intellectual property rights
How and when intellectual property can be protected
The implications for media producers of using copyrighted materials without permission

Term 5 and 6

Spreadsheet Modelling

To learn how to use Excel
To know the techniques needed to generate a spreadsheet – inputting numbers, formatting, formulae, vlookups, and inserting pictures
To understand the importance of using techniques to allow your spreadsheet to update automatically
To complete a project based on what you have learnt

What will my child learn in Year 10?

OCR GCSE Computer Science

Term 1/2

Component 1: Computer Systems

Systems Architecture:

The CPU and its function.
To understand ‘embedded systems’

Memory and Storage:

The purpose of RAM/ROM in computer systems and Virtual Memory
The need for secondary storage/types and advantages/disadvantages
Units of data and capacity
Binary Conversions/Additions/Shifts/Hexadecimal

Component 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

Programming Techniques:

How to identify and use variables,
How to understand and use the three basic programming constructs used to control the flow of a program
How to understand and use suitable loops
How to understand and use basic file handling
How to define and use arrays and use functions/sub programs

Term 3/4

Component 1: Computer Systems

Data Storage:

Characters, Images, Sound, Compression

Networks and Topologies:

Network Types/Topologies/Factors that affect networks

Wired and wireless networks:

Connection/Encryption/Protocols

Component 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

Principles of computational thinking:

Algorithmic thinking
Pseudocode
Flowcharts
Identify common errors
Trace tables

Term 5/6

Component 3: Programming Project

The Programming Project provides an opportunity for learners to demonstrate their practical ability and skills they have acquired so far. The Programming Project requires learners to create a solution to a set problem.

Creative IMedia (new from 2022)

Term 1/2

R093: Creative iMedia in the media industry

Topic Area 2: Factors influencing product design

2.1 How style, content and layout are linked to the purpose

2.2 Client requirements and how they are defined

2.3 Audience demographics and segmentation

2.4 Research methods, sources and types of data

R094: Visual identity and digital graphics

1.1 Purpose, elements and design of visual identity

2.1 Graphic design and conventions

2.2 Properties of digital graphics and use of assets

2.3 Techniques to plan visual identity and digital graphics

Term 3/4

R093: Creative iMedia in the media industry

Topic Area 2: Factors influencing product design

2.5 Media codes used to convey meaning, create impact and/or engage audiences

Topic Area 3: Pre-production planning

3.1 Work planning

3.2 Documents used to support ideas generation

3.3 Documents used to design and plan media products

R094: Visual identity and digital graphics

3.1 Tools and techniques of imaging editing software used to create digital graphics

3.2 Technical skills to source, create and prepare assets for use within digital graphics

3.3 Techniques to save and export visual identity and digital graphics

Term 5/6

R093: Creative iMedia in the media industry

Topic Area 1: The media industry

1.1 Media industry sectors and products

Learning about the Sectors of the media industry

Learning about Products in the media industry

1.2 Job roles in the media industry

Unit R097: Interactive digital media

Topic Area 1: Plan interactive digital media

1.1 Types of interactive digital media, content and associated hardware

1.2 Features and conventions of interactive digital media

What will my child learn in Year 11?

OCR GCSE Computer Science

Term 1/2

Component 1: Computer Systems

Systems Architecture:

The CPU and its function.
To understand ‘embedded systems’

Memory and Storage:

The purpose of RAM/ROM in computer systems and Virtual Memory
The need for secondary storage/types and advantages/disadvantages
Units of data and capacity
Binary Conversions/Additions/Shifts/Hexadecimal

Component 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

Programming Techniques:

How to identify and use variables,
How to understand and use the three basic programming constructs used to control the flow of a program
How to understand and use suitable loops
How to understand and use basic file handling
How to define and use arrays and use functions/sub programs

Term 3/4

Component 1: Computer Systems

Data Storage:

Characters, Images, Sound, Compression

Networks and Topologies:

Network Types/Topologies/Factors that affect networks

Wired and wireless networks:

Connection/Encryption/Protocols

Component 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

Principles of computational thinking
Algorithmic thinking
Pseudocode
Flowcharts
Identify common errors
Trace tables

Term 5

REVISION

Creative IMedia (new from 2022)

Term 1/2

R093: Creative iMedia in the media industry

Topic Area 3: Pre-production planning

3.4.1 Legal considerations to protect individuals

3.4.2 Intellectual property rights

3.4.3 Regulation, certification, and classification

Unit R097: Interactive digital media

1.3 Resources required to create interactive digital media products

1.4 Pre-production and planning documentation and techniques for interactive digital media

Topic Area 2: Create interactive digital media

2.1 Technical skills to create and/or edit and manage assets for use within interactive digital media products

2.3 Technical skills to create interactive digital media

Term 3/4

R093: Creative iMedia in the media industry

Topic Area 3: Pre-production planning

3.4.4 Health and safety

Topic Area 4: Distribution considerations

4.1 Distribution platforms and media to reach audiences

4.2 Properties and formats of media files

REVISION

Unit R097: Interactive digital media

Topic Area 2: Create interactive digital media

2.4 Techniques to save and export/publish interactive digital media

Topic Area 3: Review interactive digital media

3.1 Techniques to test/check and review interactive digital media

3.2 Improvements and further developments

Term 5

REVISION/IMPROVEMENTS

What will my child learn in Year 12?

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Computing

Term 1/2

Unit 2: Fundamentals of Computer Systems

Aim A Hardware and software
Aim B: Computer Architecture
Aim C: Data Representation

Unit 7: IT Systems Security and Encryption

Aim A: Understand current IT security threats, information security and the legal requirements affecting the security of IT systems
Aim B: Investigate cryptographic techniques and processes used to protect data

Term 3/4

Unit 2: Fundamentals of Computer Systems

Aim C: Data Representation
Aim D: How data is organised on computer systems
Aim E: How data is transmitted by computer systems
Aim F: The use of logic and data flow in computer systems

Unit 7: IT Systems Security and Encryption

Aim C: Examine the techniques used to protect an IT system from security threats
Aim D: Implement strategies to protect an IT system from security threats

Term 5/6

REVISION/IMPROVEMENTS

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology

Term 1/2

Aim A: The purpose and structure of relational database management systems

A1 Relational database management systems
A2 Manipulating data structures and data in relational databases
A3 Normalisation

Aim B: Standard methods and techniques to design relational database solutions

B1 Relational database design
B2 Design documentation

Aim C: Creating a relation database structure

C1 Producing a database solution
C2 Testing and refining the database solution

Aim A: Explore the impact of social media on the ways in which businesses promote their products and services

A1 Social media websites
A2 Business uses of social media
A3 Risks and issues

Aim B: Develop a plan to use social media in a business to meet requirements

B1 Social media planning processes
B2 Business requirements
B3 Content planning and publishing
B4 Developing an online community
B5 Developing a social media policy
B6 Reviewing and refining plans

Term 3/4

Aim C: Creating a relation database structure

C1 Producing a database solution
C2 design Testing and refining the database solution

Aim D: Evaluating a database development project

D1 Database evaluation
D2 Evaluation of database testing
D3 Evaluation of the database

Learning aim C: Implement the use of social media in a

Business

C1 Creating accounts and profiles
C2 Content creation and publication
C3 Implementation of online community building
C4 Data gathering and analysis
C5 Skills, knowledge and behaviours

Term 5/6

Unit 1: Information Technology Systems

Aim A: Digital devices in IT systems

A1 Digital devices, their functions and use
A2 Peripheral devices and media
A4 Emerging technologies
A5 Choosing IT systems
Exam Practise

What will my child learn in Year 13?

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Computing

Term 1 & 2

Unit 14: Computer Games Development

A - Investigate technologies used in computer gaming
- A.P1 Explain scial and technological trends of computer games.
- A.P2 Explain hw current and emerging technologies impact computer games’ design and development
- A.M1 Discuss hw current and emerging technologies impact on how games are designed and developed to meet the requirements of the users and the larger computer games industry
- A.D1 Evaluate the impact f current and emerging technologies on the design and development of computer games to meet the requirements of the users and the computer games industry.
B - Design a computer game to meet client requirements
- B.P3 Prduce designs for a computer game that meet client requirements.
- B.P4 Review the designs with thers to identify and inform refinements.
- B.M2 Justify decisins made, showing how the design will fulfil its purpose and client requirements.
C - Develop a computer game to meet client requirements
- C.P5 Prduce a computer game to meet client requirements.
- C.P6 Test a cmputer game for functionality, usability, stability and performance.
- C.P7 Review the extent t which the computer game meets client requirements.
- C.M3 Optimise a cmputer game to meet client requirements.
- BC.D2 Evaluate the design and ptimised computer game against client requirements.
- BC.D3 Demnstrate individual responsibility, creativity and effective self-management in the design, development and review of a computer game

Term 3 & 4

Unit 1: Principles of Computer Science

Aim A: Computational Thinking
- Understanding Decmposition, Pattern Recognition, Generalisation and Abstraction
- Understanding Algrithm Design
Aim B: Standard methods and techniques used to develop algorithms
- Prduce, apply and interpret pseudocode statements
- Interpret, prduce and develop flowcharts
Aim C: Programming paradigms - Selecting, applying, using and interpreting:
- Cmmon data-handling techniques
- General mathematical expressins within computing structures
- Cmmon functions
- Validatin techniques
- Cmmon programming control structures
- Cmmon data structures
- Standard algrithms
Aim D: Types of programming and mark-up languages
- Interpret, analyse, debug and evaluate the use f code written using procedural programming paradigms
- Interpret, analyse, debug and evaluate the use f code written using object orientated programming paradigms
- Interpret, analyse, debug and evaluate the use f code written using event driven programming paradigms
- Interpret, analyse and evaluate the use f code written for web languages
- The issues and implicatins of translating code between programming languages
Exam practise

Term 5 & 6

IMPROVEMENTS/REVISION

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology

Term 1/2

Unit 1: Information Technology Systems

Aim B: Transmitting data

B1 Connectivity
B2 Networks
B3 Issues relating to transmission of data

Exam practise

Aim C: Operating online

C1 Online systems
C2 Online communities
Exam practise for PPE

Unit 6: Website Development

Learning Aim A: Understand the principles of website development

A1 Purpose and principles of website products
A2 Factors affecting website performance

Learning aim B: Design a website to meet client requirements

B1 Website design
B2 Common tools and techniques used to produce websites

Term 3/4

Exam Practise for PPE

Aim D: Protecting data and information

D1 Threats to data, information and systems
D2 Protecting data

Aim E: Impact of IT systems

E1 Online services
E2 Impact on organisations
E3 Using and manipulating data

Aim F: Issues

F1 Moral and ethical issues
F2 Legal issues
Exam Practise for PPE

Unit 6: Website Development

Learning aim C: Develop a website to meet client requirements

C1 Client-side scripting languages
C2 Website development
C3 Website review
C4 Website optimisation
C5 Skills, knowledge and behaviours

Term 5/6

IMPROVEMENTS/REVISION

Accommodation and Resources

The computing department has five dedicated purpose built rooms. The rooms are all very spacious and all have between 24 and 28 computers, printing facilities, teacher stations and interactive boards. The school also has an ethos of ensuring IT resources are based in other departments to allow IT to be taught across the curriculum as well as supporting the delivering of those subjects. To this end there are 11 Laptop Trolleys and a further 6 dedicated network rooms, in all there are approximately 850 computers in the school for students to use.

Extra-Curricular Activities

In the Computing department we open the rooms up at lunchtimes and after school for students to continue with work or to develop new skills. In addition to this we offer a chance for students to develop their programming skills in the Space Club or take part in an exciting Esports competition.

Extended Opportunities For Learning

All computing courses are based on the schools Learning Platform. This is used to set and assess student work. Students can access this information from any computer that has internet access. The department also runs regular workshops to support KS4 and KS5 students. All students also have access to remote desktop from any internet connected devices giving them access to their work and many of the schools software packages.