Computing and ICT
ICT – Year 7 & 8
Key Knowledge
| PowerPoint | Word | Publisher | Excel |
| Flexidata | Scratch | Python | Variables |
| Serif Webplus | Hyperlinks | Hotspots | Image formats |
| Copyright | Plagiarism | E-Safety | Query |
| Data Capture | Text | Number | Boolean |
Within the ICT department we aim to equip our students with the practical skills and knowledge to enable them to thrive in the world of ICT.
All students will:
- Understand the way the JMHS computer systems work and classroom expectations.
- Introduce then develop skills with products from the Microsoft suite.
- Be able to gather, refine, sort, search and extract data in different forms.
- Enhance their literacy skills by researching, analysing and explaining key words, ideas and techniques.
- Develop a life-long love of the subject and wish to pursue further study within the domain.
- Strengthen their independent thinking through completion of projects based on Advertising and Sharing of Information. Skills which are essential to be successful later in the world of work.
| Year 7 | Year 8 |
| Students are introduced to the JMHS computer systems and classroom rules. They start by learning the correct way to gather and present information without bias. Students then discover the uses of spreadsheets using formulas, formatting and charts. Students then explore hardware used in a standard computer. Students discuss E-Safety and use DTP to explain the issues surrounding it. The final topic covered is databases and how to gather, store, search and conclude information. | Students explore Scratch for visual programming and then develop their logic and sequencing skills as they expand into traditional programming using Python. Students then enter the world of business by discovering the 4 Ps, House Styles and business document formats. Students revisit Excel with a business scenario to build on Year 7 tasks. They round the year off with a website creation task using a real-world scenario. |
Course Structure
The two year Key Stage 3 course has been structured linearly in a logical order. The modules are ordered to incorporate prior learning from feeder schools and bring students to a base level then expand to prepare students for their KS4.
Internal Assessment: Students will complete practical tasks throughout the course to analyse their progress against the key skills, knowledge and understanding required.
Formal Assessment: Both years has a practical task at the end of the year.
Grading: Students can achieve a J-Scale level for each module and for the whole year.
Key knowledge and skills with modular end points are detailed in the scheme of work.
Support
Literacy
Within the classroom setting, students are directed to key terms that will be used throughout the lesson and encouraged to use them where possible. In addition to subject specific vocabulary, students are taught frequently used command words (such as identify, analyse, assess and evaluate) and shown how to approach these tasks.
Numeracy
Students are required to calculate simple calculations to check that Excel Spreadsheets are performing correctly and to analyse databases. Additional support and simple practice will be provided for students with weak numeracy skills and when the skill has been mastered, only then will the difficulty increase.
SEND and Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium students will be strategically seated next to a positive role model, targeted questioning will be used to elicit comprehension and additional support with homework and coursework clubs will be available. If required, additional one to one support session can be arranged at the teacher’s discretion.
Challenge
In order to challenge middle to high ability students, they are actively encouraged to apply their learning to explore the topics in more detail.
Computer Science – Year 9-11
OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer Science
Key Knowledge
| Structure of the CPU | Programming languages | Cyber Security |
| Software | Legislation | Base Conversion |
| BIOS, RAM and ROM | Networks – LAN, WAN, TCP/IP | Python |
| Input, Output and Storage devices | Compression | Sorting Algorithms |
| Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle | Malware | |
Within the Computing department we aim to equip our students with the practical skills and knowledge to enable them to thrive in the world of Computer science.
All students will:
- Strengthen their problem-solving skills and independent thinking through programming.
- Develop the skills to analyse a problem and use a variety of software such as Python, SQL and VBA script to overcome it.
- Nurture interest and understanding of how computer architecture has developed and its scope for future development.
- Enhance their numeracy skills such as developing algorithms to solve complex problems and being able to convert between denary, binary and hexadecimal.
- Understand the potential threats of system security and their impacts on society.
- Gain knowledge of the wider world around them and the influences on their daily lives.
- Develop transferable skills to improve their employment opportunities and ensure a successful.
| Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 |
| Students mainly focus of the mastery of programming using Python. They are also introduced to key concepts such as Base Conversion, Hardware, Software, Storage and Cyber Security. | Students cover all the topics in Year 10 introducing them to the keywords, concepts and programming techniques. Hardware, Software, Networks, Legislation, Databases, Bases, Ethics, Python and Problem Solving are all covered so students can see the larger picture for Computer Science. |
Hardware, Software, Networks, Legislation, Databases, Bases, Ethics, Python and Problem Solving are all covered again in Year 11 to enable mastery. They are explained using different resources to enable embedding of information and as the whole course is explained, the way the topics interlock is revealed. |
Course Structure
The three-year Key Stage 4 course has been structured linearly in a logical order. The modules are ordered to incorporate prior learning as some topics are revisited with more depth to build on what has been learnt in the previous year.
Internal Assessment: Students will complete a written assessment at the end of each module which will analyse their progress against the key skills, knowledge and understanding required. Students will also complete internal exams at the end of year 10 to prepare them for the external exams in Year 11.
Formal Assessment: “J276/01 Computer Systems” and “J276/02 Computational thinking, algorithms and programming” are two exams each worth 50% of the final grade. Students also undertake a 20 hour project which is marked and moderated by the exam board but does not count towards the final grade.
Grading: Students can achieve levels 1 to 9 at GCSE.
Key knowledge and skills with modular end points are detailed in the scheme of work.
Support
Resources
All students in year 10 are given a guide to support their learning for the whole course. Within it, students have access to key terminology and definitions and practice questions to apply their knowledge.
Literacy
Within the classroom setting, students are directed to key terms that will be used throughout the lesson and encouraged to use them where possible. In addition to subject specific vocabulary, students are taught frequently used command words (such as identify, analyse, assess and evaluate) and shown how to approach these tasks.
Numeracy
Students are required to calculate base conversions between base 2, 10 and 16. Additional support and simple practice will be provided for students with weak numeracy skills and when the skill has been mastered, only then will the difficulty increase.
SEND and Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium students will be given access to a free textbook to take home for the entirety of the course. Teachers will ensure students are strategically seated next to a positive role model, targeted questioning will be used to elicit comprehension and additional support with homework and coursework clubs will be available. If required, additional one to one support session can be arranged at the teacher’s discretion.
Challenge
In order to challenge middle to high ability students, they are actively encouraged to apply their learning to explore the topics in a real-world situation and to speculate regarding the future of the topic.
Creative iMedia – Year 9 -11
Creative iMedia Level 1/2
Key Knowledge
| Strengths and weaknesses of file type | Benefits drawback of different cameras | |
| Importance of copyright | Lighting techniques | |
| How to create a mindmap | Shutter and aperture relationship | |
| How to create a moodboard | Rules of photographic composition | |
| How to create a script | How to layer images | |
| How to create a visualisation diagram | How to create a non-linear slideshow | |
| How to create a gantt chart / work plan | How to test a piece of software |
Within the ICT department we aim to equip our students with the practical skills and knowledge to enable them to thrive in the world of ICT.
All students will:
- Develop an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of different photographic equipment in addition to lighting and composition methods.
- Acquire an awareness of laws and legislations effect users in a digital world, which will prepare students for a life involving ICT.
- Enhance their literacy skills by researching, explaining and analysing key words, ideas and techniques.
- Strengthen their independent thinking by encouraging our students to be conscientious, reflective learners. Skills which are essential to be successful later in the world of work.
- Successfully apply their learning of ICT to a real-world context.
| Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 |
| Students are introduced to file types and legal issues such as copyright and plagiarism. They then research different forms of graphics and analyse the colours, style, layout, fonts and components. This helps them develop a Visualisation Diagram of an advert based on a scenario. Assets are gathered. A logo is created. These are combined to create a layered advert. The advert is evaluated to see if it is fit for purpose. |
Students explore different types of camera. They are then introduced to the Rules of Photographic Composition. Lighting is also explored. Students then plan a series of photoshoots around a theme and action them. The photos are then reviewed against the original scenario. Students typically have 3 hours a week in Year 10 so Mindmaps, Moodboards, Scripts are explored to prepare for the exam. |
Students research situations that have Multimedia elements and evaluate why they are presented in that way to benefit the target audience. A Multimedia product is designed following a scenario. The product is created with regular testing and improvements. The final product is packaged suitably and evaluated against the original scenario. |
Course Structure
The three year Key Stage 4 course has been structured linearly in a logical order. The modules are ordered to incorporate prior learning and to build on what has been learnt in the previous module.
Internal Assessment: Students will complete a written assessment at the end of each unit which will analyse their progress against the key skills, knowledge and understanding required. Students will also complete an internal exam at the end of year 10 to prepare them for the external exam in Year 11.
Formal Assessment: Unit R081 (Pre-production Skills – theory based) is an external exam worth 25% of the overall grade. Unit R082 (Graphics – project based) and Unit R087 (Multimedia – project based) and R090 (Photography – project based) are coursework which is marked internally and moderated by OCR, each worth 25%.
Grading: Students can achieve a Level 1 pass, merit, distinction and Level 2 pass, merit, distinction and distinction*.
Key knowledge and skills with modular end points are detailed in the scheme of work.
Support
Resources
All students in year 10 are given a guide to support their learning for Unit R081 and R082. Within it, students have access to key terminology and definitions and practice questions to apply their knowledge. The guide will also help for some areas of R087 and R090.
Literacy
Within the classroom setting, students are directed to key terms that will be used throughout the lesson and encouraged to use them where possible. In addition to subject specific vocabulary, students are taught frequently used command words (such as identify, analyse, assess and evaluate) and shown how to approach these tasks.
Numeracy
Students are required to calculate simple calculations for image dimensions and file storage size. Additional support and simple practice will be provided for students with weak numeracy skills and when the skill has been mastered, only then will the difficulty increase.
SEND and Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium students will be given access to a free textbook to take home for the entirety of the course. Teachers will ensure students are strategically seated next to a positive role model, targeted questioning will be used to elicit comprehension and additional support with homework and coursework clubs will be available. If required, additional one to one support session can be arranged at the teacher’s discretion.
Challenge
In order to challenge middle to high ability students, they are actively encouraged to apply their learning to explore the topics in more detail to enable them to achieve the higher grades.
Key Stage 3 National Curriculum Audit for ICT