ICT / Computer Science
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.
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.
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.
Certificate in Digital Applications (CiDA) (Pearson Edexcel)
CiDA is a GCSE equivalent qualification that focusses on practical and creative IT skills. The course is composed of 2 units of work.
Unit 1 is a practical ICT examination based on developing a website for a specific purpose. This focusses on the skills needed to design and create a web site for a specific client, following a brief. This is externally assessed in an online examination and accounts for 25% of the final mark.
For Unit 2 students are required to complete a substantial project and showcase their achievements in an e-portfolio. In this multimedia project, students need to create an upload for an online forum for young people that is engaging, interactive and promotes discussion. This is internally assed and accounts for 75% of the final mark.
To Be Successful In This Subject Students Will Need To Be Good At And Enjoy:
- Identifying successes and any limitations
- being an independent learner
- Organising your own time
- Meeting deadlines
- learning about new technologies
- creating new digital products
Progression Routes & Career Opportunities
The CIDA qualification provides a solid foundation for progression to Computer Science/ICT related courses, including AS-level ICT, and a career in ICT professions. Students who complete the Level 2 qualification can progress on to Level 3 ICT.
Possible careers include:
- Teaching
- Game Design
- Computer Programming
- Web Design
- IT consultant
- Multimedia programmer
- Network engineer
- Systems analyst
- Systems developer
Additional information:
Please note that due to the heavy coursework element of this subject, intervention classes will run after school to help support students.
KS4 Computer Science
Students follow the OCR Computer Science (9-1) (J276)) syllabus.
Course Content
This carefully planned course gives students a real, in-depth understanding of how computer technology works. It offers an insight into what goes on ‘behind the scenes’, including computer programming, which many students find absorbing.
Computer Science develops skills relevant to the modern, changing world of computing, it’s designed to boost computing skills essential for the 21st century.
To Be Successful In This Subject Students Will Need To Be Good At And Enjoy:
- Standard programming techniques programming
- Identifying successes and any limitations
- Being an independent learner
- Organising your own timing
- Meeting deadlines
Learning about new technologies
Progression Routes & Career Opportunities
Computing GCSE provides a solid foundation for progression to Computer Science related courses, including AS-level ICT, and a career in Computer Science professions. Students who complete the GCSE in Computer Science can progress on to Level 3 ICT. Some suggested progression routes and career opportunities this subject support include:
- Software developer
- Software architect
- Software engineer
- Computer programmer
- Application architecture and development consultant.
Additional Information
Please note that due to the heavy coursework element of this subject, intervention classes will run after school to help support students.
Information Technology (Pearson Edexcel)
BTEC NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (1 Year)
BTEC NATIONAL EXTENDED CERTIFICATE (2 Years)
BTEC DIPLOMA (2 Years)
This qualification is designed for learners who are interested in a basic introduction to the study of information technology alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of courses.
Course units:
BTEC NATIONAL CERTIFICATE
- Unit 1 Information Technology Systems (External)
- Unit 2 Creating Systems to Manage information (Internal)
BTEC NATIONAL EXTENDED CERTIFICATE
- Unit 1 Information Technology Systems (External)
- Unit 2 Creating Systems to Manage information (External)
- Unit 3 Using social media in Business (Internal)
- Unit 6 Website Development (Internal)
Assessment
This course involves a range of vocational assessments, both practical and written; enable students to showcase their learning and skills to best effect when they take their next step, whether that’s supporting applications to higher education courses or to potential employers.
Final assessment is a combination of both internal and external assessments, and these are graded Pass, Merit, and Distinction.
Progression Routes
- Information and Communication Technology
- Retail and Commercial Enterprise
- Education and Training
Additional Information
Students will need at least 5 GCSEs at grades at C/Pass including ICT at Level 2
