Computing & ICT
Who are we?
Head of Department – Mr Q Bashir
Teacher – Miss A Ali
Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all.
Curriculum Intent
We think and act like innovators, web designers, developers and programmers.
Computing and ICT play an ever-increasing important part of everyday life, both at work and at home. The Computing Department is committed to ensuring that all students are able to use ICT confidently and safely and have the skills to move from just using ICT into programming computers.
The UK is experiencing a lack of well qualified computing professionals, and businesses today require an ever-increasing number of technologically aware individuals. This is even more so in the gaming, mobile and web related industries. The computing curriculum is designed with this in mind.
Our curriculum is designed to offer every student a broad and balanced approach to learning, ensuring relevance, challenge and progression. We actively promote innovation – in both the teaching and learners thinking – and we strive to build independent learners.
Topics are divided into projects. All projects aim to take students through the process of reviewing, planning, developing and evaluating. Assessment is always focused on improvement.
We enrich students with a range of Computing and ICT skills to ensure our students are well equipped to participate in a rapidly changing world with the confidence to access a whole range of knowledge and applications.
Curriculum Map
Curriculum Map
Click here to view the department curriculum map.
What do we do?
Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)
All students in Year 7 study for 3 hours a fortnight and Years 8 & 9 study for 2 hours a fortnight in computing.
Students are taught practical skills in the foundations of computing, web page creation and publishing, animation and the manipulation of graphics and spreadsheets / databases. The course also includes basic programming including HTML sequencing, Python and the creation of simple games (Scratch, Kodu, Game Maker, Small Basic). To support the course, we have an extensive home learning programme using Sam Learning.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
All students in Years 10 & 11 study ICT for 3 hours a fortnight as a Core subject and have the opportunity to study Computer Science and/or Creative I-Media as an option, which is taught over 5 hours a fortnight.
GCSE Computer Science Option
This is available for students as an option in Key Stage 4; this is 20% controlled assessment and 80% exam based. Building on what students have covered in Key Stage 3, you will learn how to design and write computer applications using the fundamental concepts.
I-Media Option
This is available for students as an option in Key Stage 4; this is 25% external assessment and 75% coursework based.
To achieve in the qualifications students need to be hard working, focused and committed to their work.
A day in the life…
The ethos of the ICT department is based around collaboration, differentiation and teamwork. We strive to provide quality education to all learners to maximise their full potential. Each student can change the world and we believe that this is where it starts!
We have developed a fantastic, exciting curriculum in line with the new Computing Curriculum outlined by the Department for Education. We ensure that all learners develop a good insight to computing.
As well as exciting lessons, we also run a morning club and after school ICT club, allowing students not just to do ICT related work but to have access to computers to do work from across the whole school curriculum. In short, this club welcomes learners from all year groups and all subject areas that are keen to progress their studies in a fun learning environment.
What type of homework will be set?
As students will be set homework once a fortnight, this will be to reinforce or extend their learning from the lesson and prepare them for the following lesson. This will mainly be work that they need to complete on the computer. For students who do not have a computer at home, they can access to PCs at school during lunchtime in the library and afterschool at homework club or ICT club. We believe in students being responsible and independent, so over the week they need to seek support if they have any problems with completing homework tasks. As a department we also open up the ICT rooms during some breaks and lunchtimes to allow students who need support to complete homework or outstanding classwork.
How will my child be assessed in computing?
Students will have half termly assessments based on that unit. These will include a piece of practical work which students will work towards completing during the half term. The criteria for these will be used each lesson to ensure students know and understand what they are aiming to achieve.
How can I support my child’s learning at home?
We ensure PC access is available for all students in school, but access at home will benefit the students both in computing and their other subjects. We encourage parents to support their child at home with access to ICT and the internet. Programmes which will be most beneficial are Microsoft Office, Audacity, Kodu, Scratch and Python3. Most of these software are free to download.
You can also support your child by asking them about what they have been learning and encourage them to complete extra research around each topic.
Further information
| Consistency |
Lessons are consistently delivered with appropriate challenge through engaging mini projects. Consistent feedback given for Computing projects where students can reflect on their work, review their learning and progress and respond back to teacher feedback. We consistently recap on prior knowledge and skills and develop this further across Computing projects to build from basic Computer skills to more advanced skills. |
| Closing the Gaps |
All KS3 students have access to Edmodo, SAM Learning and FROG to ensure students have access to learning both in school and at home. All KS4 students can access SAM Learning, revision activities on Frog and use of BBC Bite size and Teach ICT to review and extend their learning out of lesson time. KS4 students studying Computer Science and Creative iMedia are offered revision classes, so they can revise the course content, practise exam questions and complete practical work on the Computers. Access to Computer rooms are provided every morning before registration, during break time and after school as part of our dedicated ICT/Homework clubs run by members of the ICT department. We provide students with a vast range of professional and technical software to give them a real world experience and the chance to develop their Computing skills at an advanced level. |
| Community |
We provide opportunities for students to take part in ICT workshops in Universities, complete the Duke of York IDEA award, trips to Computer Science Museums. We work closely with trust partner, University of Huddersfield, through teacher training and mentoring ICT teachers. Parents have access to Edmodo, where they can see their child’s progress and feedback given by the teacher. |