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ICT
"Sometimes it is the people who no-one imagines anything of, who do the things that no-one can imagine" - Alan Turing (UK Mathematician and Computer Scientist)
Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum aims to create practitioners who are problem-solvers and creative thinkers. We ensure students are equipped with requisite skills and knowledge to meet challenges in the progressive and ever-changing age of the Information Revolution.
Our intent, in addition, is to model practice and theoretical thinking, using entrenched and emerging technologies and concepts as approaches to develop the skills of our practitioners.
In expediting our curriculum intention, we focus on technical areas including networking and cybersecurity; software and web development, database, along with the Internet of Everything (IoE), giving due consideration to key future concepts like quantum computing. Fundamental concepts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) along with business, the arts and entertainment are incorporated within the curriculum.
KS3 curriculum covers various aspects of the computing progressing pathways.
KS4 curriculum inspires students to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic and algorithms.
KS5 curriculum covers a wide range of units. Students complete practical and project-based opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in various areas.
Cross Curriculum and Skills
ICT and Computer Science Department aim to create curious digital learners, who are able to use technology logically and creatively. Our students learn and develop computational thinking skills to solve problems across all disciplines by making use of the systematic breakdown (decomposition) of problems they face in order to achieve a workable technological solution.
In addition to academic qualification, KS5 vocational students learn about the following employability skills:
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Negotiation
- Decision making
ICT and Computer Science curriculum involves learning patterns of information and transferable skills between different academic subjects. Some examples of our cross curriculum links are:
- Geography – exploring satellite and aerial view
- Maths – application of logic and reasoning, Binary calculations, Numerical skills
- English- reading, writing, diction, spelling
- Science – big data, data logging, electronics
- Music - composing music, music in films and computer games
- PE- technology in sport
- DT - design, construction, and testing of purposeful artefacts
Curriculum Details
Curriculum and Assessment Map Years 7-11
ICT/Computer Science Learning Journey
Revision Resources and Curriculum Journey
Key Stage 3:
Websites:
Key Stage 4
Textbooks:
OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer Science J276 S Robson and PM Heathcote (ISBN:978-1-910523-08-7)
GCSE Computer Science OCR Complete Revision & Practice (ISBN: 9781782948605)
GCSE Computer Science OCR Exam Practice Workbook (ISBN: 9781782946038)
GCSE Computer Science OCR Revision Guide (ISBN: 9781782946021)
Grade 9-1 GCSE Computer Science OCR Revision Question Cards (ISBN: 9781789084016)
Websites:
Key Stage 5
Textbooks:
Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT
Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT by Victoria Ellis, Graham Manson, Saundra Middleton (editor: Mo Everett) (ISBN: 9781471874918)
My Revision Notes: Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT Paperback by Maureen Everett (ISBN-13: 978-1510442313)
AS and A Level Computer Science
OCR AS and A Level Computer Science PM Heathcote and RSU Heathcote (ISBN: 978-1-910523-05-6)
Websites:
Homework and Home Learning
Homework develops independent study and enables students to become life-long learners. We use an online tool to help you keep track of your child's homework. Show My Homework will allow parents to see the details of the tasks your child has been set, all their deadlines and their submission status.
In Computer Science/ICT we set homework regularly and have given some examples of topics set below:
Year 7 – Create a Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation and e-Safety
Year 8 – Research different storage capacities, their strengths and weaknesses. Discuss their portability and durability.
Year 9 - Identify and research trends in computing technology
Describe the computing and technology trends below. Explain the impact on various industries like Retail, Health, Transport, Education etc
The computing trends are: Virtual Reality; Drones; Smartphones; Tablet computers; 3-D printing; Cloud computing and Biometric technologies
KS4 - Describe the principles of computational thinking and how they are used to define and refine problems. Explain the issues a programmer should consider to ensure that a program caters for all likely input values
KS5
A Level Computer Science
Explain how computers are used to solve problems and programs can be written to solve them. Use a high-level text-based programming language to undertake a programming task.
Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT
Identify and describe two wireless technologies that are used to track shoppers as they move through the retail parks. Describe two digital security methods that could be used to keep the data secure
Knights Shield
The Knights Shield is a scheme which values and recognises all of the extracurricular and enrichment opportunities that Knights Academy pupils participate in.
In Computer Science we are pleased to offer pupils opportunities to fulfil the Knights Shield throughout our curriculum. Some examples are listed below:
Curriculum –
- Attend extra-curricular Computer Science activities (coding sessions, CS for girls, Hour of code).
- Receive a Principal’s Award in a subject
Creativity –
- Explore emerging technologies and consider how they can be used
- Take part in local/national coding competitions
- Use software/coding creatively (budget spreadsheets, leaflets, games)
- Display work within the school
Community –
- Share their IT skills / knowledge with less confident users (siblings, parents, grandparents, neighbours)
Become the Computer Science department ambassadors in school
Competencies –
- Improve their coding skills through self-learning (YouTube, Khan Academy) and get involved in computer science competitions
- Be able to use office applications confidently
- Use logical and methodical thinking daily
Cultural -
- Breaking through cultural bias and barriers to embrace the challenges and benefits of computing.
- Take part in educational trips and visits
Why Study ICT at GCSE and A' Level?
Studying IT and Computer Science at GCSE and A’ Level can lead to the development of creative thinkers who can matriculate on to university education and build fruitful, rewarding professional careers in many areas including telecommunications, science and engineering, alongside roles in business. Other potential career areas involve opportunities in medicine and health care as well as in music, art, sports and entertainment.
Careers and Opportunities
Below are examples of careers that can be pursued as a result of studying Computer Science/Information Technology at GCSE and A’ Level:
- Information Security Analyst
- Telecommunication Engineer
- Information Systems Manager/Analyst
- Web and Software Developer
- Computer Hardware and Systems Engineer
- Medical Field Services Technician/Engineer
- Medical Digital Imaging Technician/Engineer
- Network Analyst/Administrator/Engineer/Architect
- Computer and Information Research Scientist/Engineer
- Database and Network Analyst/Architect
- Project Manager/Analyst