Year 7 Core
All students have the opportunity to study Core Computing. At the start of the year, students have a lengthy induction unit called Starting Skills & Knowledge which covers:
- Accessing computers.
- Utilising the cloud.
- File and folder management.
- Accessing files from various storage locations.
- Safety in the classroom.
- Effective use of the Internet.
- Applications software.
Other units are covered throughout the academic year including:
- Project focusing on the creation of an information document regarding the Internet of Everything and its uses in everyday life. The project requires learning a range of new common skills that can be applied in other scenarios.
- Theory including:
- Managing Information.
- Presenting Information.
- Software.
- Spreadsheets.
- Spreadsheet software to create a useable model e.g. calculating income during different scenarios. Includes pre-designing to specified user requirements.
- Programming to control onscreen characters and achieve goals.
Year 8 Core
All students have the opportunity to study Core Computing. At the start of the year, students undertake an induction unit called Starting Skills & Knowledge which is a recap of the key induction skills learnt in the previous year. Students cover:
- Accessing computers.
- Utilising the cloud.
- File and folder management.
- Accessing files from various storage locations.
- Safety of self when using various computer devices. Including threats, impacts and preventions.
- E-mail.
- Operating system software.
Other units are covered throughout the academic year including:
- Project focusing on the creation of an augmented reality product that can be viewed on various devices. The project requires learning specific skills that can be applied in the creation of further AR products.
- Theory including:
- Searching.
- Databases.
- Control.
- Modelling.
- Spreadsheet software to create a useable model e.g. calculating income and expenditure for different time periods. Includes pre-designing to specified user requirements.
- Programming to create an interactive on-screen game.
Year 9 Core
All students have the opportunity to study Core Computing. At the start of the year, students undertake an induction unit called Starting Skills & Knowledge which builds on the key induction skills learnt in the previous years. Students cover:
- Accessing computers.
- Utilising the cloud.
- File and folder management.
- Accessing files from various storage locations.
- Safety of information when using various computer devices. Including threats, impacts and preventions.
- E-mail.
- Hardware.
Other units are covered throughout the academic year including:
- Project focusing on the design, creation, testing and review of an augmented reality product that can be viewed on various devices. The project requires learning specific knowledge and skills that can be applied to further AR projects.
- Theory including:
- Graphics Software.
- Video and Audio.
- The impact of ICT.
- Communication and collaboration.
- Spreadsheet software to create a useable model e.g. IT knowledge quiz. Includes pre-designing using mind mapping and wireframe solutions.
- Programming on screen virtual control systems.
Year 10 Core
All students have the opportunity to study Core Computing. At the start of the year, students undertake a unit called Generic Skills & Knowledge Part 1. Students cover:
- Accessing computers.
- Utilising the cloud.
- File and folder management (BCS ECDL specification Part 1).
- Safety of various computer equipment. Including threats, impacts and preventions.
- E-mail.
- Hardware and Software.
Other units are covered throughout the academic year including:
- Project focusing on the design, creation and evaluation of an interactive presentation or sound podcast. The product is supposed to educate others about a particular area of I.T.
- Theory including:
- Data and quality of data.
- Home entertainment.
- Home business.
- Applications software.
- Data protection issues.
- Health issues.
- Data and quality of data.
- Data logging and control.
- Spreadsheet software to create a professional model e.g. business sales model that allows inputs according to scenarios and gives outputs to aid decision making. Includes design, creation, testing and review.
- Programming using Python.
Year 11 Core
All students have the opportunity to study Core Computing. At the start of the year, students undertake a unit called Generic Skills & Knowledge Part 2. Students cover:
- Accessing computers.
- Utilising the cloud.
- File and folder management (BCS ECDL specification Part 2).
- Safety of various computer equipment. Including threats, impacts and preventions.
- E-mail.
- Comparing computer specifications.
Other units are covered throughout the academic year including:
- Project focusing on the creation or careers related documentation such as a letter of application and CV.
- Theory including:
- Web and presentation software.
- Multimedia.
- Digital imaging.
- Digital imaging.
- Networks.
- Human Computer Interfaces (HCIs).
- Organisations.
- Social and environmental impact.
- Legal and ethical issues.
- Spreadsheet software to create a professional model e.g. business sales model that allows inputs according to scenarios and gives outputs to aid decision making. Includes design, creation, testing and review.
- Programming using Python.
Year 10 & 11 Option Information Technology
If students want to further develop their knowledge and skills in IT then they have to nominate it as an option.
Students can study the OCR National in Information Technology Level 1/2 qualification.
The course consists of 3 units:
- Theory studied over two years with an exam at the end of year 11.
- Practical Augmented Reality project undertaken in year 10 and submitted at the end of year 10 for assessment.
- Practical Spreadsheet Modelling project undertaken in year 11 and submitted at the end of year 11 for assessment.
The course gives students knowledge and skills that would be valuable in the workplace as well as further study at sixth form.