Digital Technology & Communications

IT & Computer Science Curriculum Vision and Intent:

Computers play a key role in almost every aspect of our world. Using IT and Computer Science helps us solve many of the world's problems, from predicting natural hazards like hurricanes, to tracking outbreaks of disease, or making communication across the world instantaneous. Our Curriculum is designed to 'inspire learners and change lives'.

We aim to  deliver a knowledge engaged spiral  curriculum where core concepts (Algorithms; Programming & devt; Data and data representation; Hardware and Processing; Communication networks; Information Technology)  are revisited during the course of the 5 years to embed a range of both Information Technology and Computer Science knowledge and skills that will transfer across the curriculum and beyond the classroom.

At Key Stage 3 we provide our students with a breadth and balance of Digital Literacy, IT and Computer Science knowledge covering all 9 strands of the National Curriculum through their Computing lesson, timetabled once per week.

Within our curriculum, we aim to identify portable knowledge and skills which are revisited and built upon cumulatively across Key Stage 3 and ensure that they are fully embedded in students’ long-term memory.  

 By the end of Key Stage 3, students will be able to study the design, development and analysis of software and hardware used to solve problems in a variety of business, scientific and social contexts.

These skills are of much need throughout the students’ academic life. As they move through the key stage, students are taught how to write basic  programs using the programming language Scratch and others like Python to help solve computational problems, before moving on to develop their problem solving skills in a variety of contexts.

The spiral curriculum deepens a student’s understanding with each encounter building on their prior learning, embedding skills and knowledge so students can confidently use these beyond their computing lessons.

At KS4 students all students are given the opportunity to study either Computer Science at GCSE or BTEC Digital Information Technology

Computer Science is where they go on to develop key problem-solving skills useful in a range of disciplines as well as the coding and software development skills that will give them an opportunity to work or for further study in the developing area seen to be key in the modern world.

Students will learn about how computers work, the networks they use and how programming can create solutions to everyday problems and future challenges. Computer Science is a great subject but combined with other subjects it can open a whole world of opportunities.

Anyone looking to go into stem subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at university will no doubt be using programming on a daily basis.  Anyone wanting to go into areas like game development, web design, or any other technical job will also find the knowledge gained indispensable

This is a practical course with three periods per week, split between learning theoretical concepts and learning to code in a high-level programming language.  We build significantly on the knowledge developed in Key Stage 3.  Students learn advanced techniques including interface design, algorithms, data structures and file handling.

Course Content:  The content of this GCSE (9-1) Computer Science is divided into 2 components:

Component 01:  Computer Systems

Introduces student to Systems architecture, computer memory and storage, computer networks, connections and protocols, network security, data representation, and system software. It also looks at ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental concerns associated with computer science.

Component 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and Programming

Students apply knowledge and understanding gained in component 01. They develop skills and understanding in computational thinking: algorithms, programming fundamentals, producing robust programs, computational logic and translators, programming language and integrated development environment.

 

Practical programming:

Students are to be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s) during their course of study which will allow them to develop their skills to design, write, test, and refine programs using a high-level programming language.  Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations, in particular component 02.

The BTEC Digital Information Technology course  is where students will discover how IT is used within the world we live in today. Students will explore  User Interface Design Principles & Project Planning Techniques; Collecting Presenting & Interpreting Data (Spreadsheet Skills) aswell as  Effective Digital Working Practice

BTEC Information Technology is an excellent grounding to go onto further study in an IT-related subject. On the other hand, you may use your qualification to seek an apprenticeship or employment.  IT provides many transferable skills.

Reading forms a key component of our curriculum. Students learn key skills of reading data and accessing information in unfamiliar contexts. Students will become digitally literate meaning that students will develop technological skills, learn authorship rules, such as copyright and plagiarism, understand how to access online information and learn social responsibility while interacting on social networks. Students who are building digital literacy skills understand the basics of Internet safety such as creating strong passwords, understanding and using privacy settings, and knowing what to share or not on social media, supporting the Academy’s RSHE curriculum. In addition, the curriculum supports the Academy’s values of “Work hard, be kind, no excuses” as we teach our students the key skills of perseverance, independent working and managing distractions so they can apply new concepts to any given task and prepare them for the wider world.

 

Media in your world:

By studying the media at Key Stage 4, our aim is for students to be able to view, evaluate and analyse a variety of media texts, and develop practical skills spanning a range of media forms, giving them both an overall and in-depth understanding of how media represents or misrepresents the world around and ultimately to 'inspire learners and change lives'.

Many students choose GCSE Media Studies for its relevance to their lives and for the opportunities it provides for exploring contemporary issues using different media in creative and practical ways. 

The AQA GCSE Media Studies course is a combination of media theory and practice.

Subject content is divided into 4 theoretical categories:

1. Media language
2. Media representations
3. Media industries
4. Media audiences

Within our Key Stage 4 curriculum, we aim to identify portable and related vocabulary skills around these four areas of the theoretical framework which are built upon cumulatively both within and across Key Stage 4 to ensure that they are fully embedded in students’ long-term memory. 

Through our sequenced spiral curriculum, we aim to build cumulatively upon the following skills: 

• Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework of media & the contexts of media and their influences on media products and processes. 
• Analysing media products using the theoretical framework of media, including in relation to their contexts; to make judgements and draw conclusions 
• Creating media products for an intended audience, by applying knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework of media to communicate meaning  

These key concepts are revisited each term through a different media text or platform such as magazines; advertising and marketing; newspapers; online, social and participatory media and video games; radio; music video; newspapers; online, social and participatory media and video games and film, thus developing them in greater breadth and depth.  Further focus is given to each media text by looking at a particular Closed Study Product (CSP) which is provided in advance by the AQA exam board.

We embed into our lessons opportunities to develop strong reading skills and make cross curricular links with knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships -  encouraging students to live daily by the core values of, working hard, be kind and avoiding excuses in favour of taking personal responsibility.

Students are given the opportunity to attend a trip to London’s BBC Newsroom and The One Show set and we provide opportunities for students to meet virtually with professionals from the Media industry to learn about what they do and what it is like to work in their field.