ICT / Computer Science
The subject area is aware of how the subject leads itself to develop all areas of the curriculum. With this in mind we encourage our students to transfer their skills and knowledge into all areas of the School. The subject area provides opportunities for students to develop both their computing and ICT capability. It is our belief that students should be given the necessary knowledge and understanding to enable them to be digitally literate at a level suitable for the future workplace and to become active participants in a digital world.ICT at St Mary’s is in the process of exciting change. Technology has evolved and advanced over recent Years and the Teaching and Learning Area has adapted its teaching and curriculum content in order to reflect this.
KS3 ICT / Computer Science
In Years 7 and 8 students have lessons for one hour per week and follow a scheme of work which has been developed in-house in order to implement the National Curriculum requirements (in Year 9 students will choose either IT or Business Studies). We take a creative and cross curricular approach to learning in Key Stage 3 which mainly focuses on the development of a core set of ICT skills in preparation for GCSE
As of September 2014, Computing has replaced ICT as a national curriculum subject. There are three distinct strands within Computing, each of which is complementary to the others: Computer Science (CS), Information Technology (IT) and Digital Literacy (DL). Each of these components is essential for preparing students to thrive in an increasingly digital world. It is the aim of the ICT Teaching and Learning Area here at St Mary’s to include these elements across the ICT Curriculum at KS3.
Year 7 Course Description
Students work on various activities, building upon and enhancing skills that are acquired in Key Stage 2.
The units of work include:
- Introduction to Programming
- Computer Hardware
- Introduction to HTML
- Scratch Arcade Game Maker
- Micro: Bit Madness
Year 8 Course Description
Students work on various activities, building upon and enhancing skills that are acquired in Year 7.
The units of work include:
- My Digital World
- Binary Bits and Bobs
- Introduction to Python
- HTML and CSS
- Scratch Shooter Game Maker
- Digital Graphics
Year 9 Course Description
In Year 9 a further emphasis is placed on Computer Science, to help to prepare students for GCSE.
Students work on various activities, building upon and enhancing skills that are acquired in Year 8.
The units of work include:
- Back to the Future
- Python Programming
- Introduction to Networks
- Web Design and HTML
Homework / Extended Learning
Extended learning tasks are often set as self-marking end of topic quizzes and assessments that students complete online. Alternatively, students may be asked to research a recent news article related to new technology.
