“The computer was born to solve problems that did not exist before.” - Bill Gates
Curriculum Intent
The Computer Science curriculum gives students a broad education that encourages creativity and equips them with the knowledge and skills to understand and help change the world. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in our students lives. At Our Lady and St Bede we want students to be successful in their future careers and the increasing incorporation of the use of technology within industry. The curriculum explores how computing is linked to a range of careers. Therefore, we want to model and educate our students on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our students to be the creators or future technology not just the consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Our curriculum for Computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
- Can analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
- Students two programming language starting with Scratch in year 7 and moving on to Python in year 8 and continuing to develop their programming skills with more advanced python programming in year 9.
- Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
- Students study computer crime, hacking, cyber security and e-safety to learn about being responsible users. We study various software packages to allow students to become competent and confident in their computing skills.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
GCSE Computing Science – Inspiring and Challenging! Technology is advancing, Computer Science is constantly changing and Computer Science qualifications will keep you ahead of the game! Anyone that enjoys programming and working with the “nuts and bolts” of a computer will enjoy this course. The Computer Science course is designed to teach concepts and develop techniques that have long-term value and support progression to higher education and beyond, as well as giving students a hugely engaging and stimulating experience of Computer Science.
Exam Board: OCR Syllabus: J277 Unit 1: Computer Systems 50% Unit 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming 50% Unit 3: Programming Project 0%
GCSE Computer Science is made up of three sections:
Unit 1: Computer Systems - Written Paper – 1½ hours – 50% of GCSE This component will introduce learners to the Central Processing Unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, system security and system software. Students will become familiar with the impact of Computer Science in a global context through the study of the ethical, legal, cultural and environmental issues associated with Computer Science.
Unit 2: Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming – Written Paper – 1½ - 50% of GCSE Students will be introduced to algorithms and programming, learning about programming techniques, how to produce robust programs, computational logic, translators and facilities of computing languages and data representation. Students will also become familiar with computing related mathematics.
Unit 3: Programming Project - 0% of GCSE This is a project where students will be challenged by a range of exciting and engaging tasks to apply the knowledge and skills they learn during the course. Students will develop programming and research skills, and understand how to design, develop, test and evaluate their own software creations.
Cambridge Nationals Creative Imedia
Exam Board: OCR
RO94 (30%): Visual identity and digital graphics (internally assessed)
R097 (30%): Interactive digital media (internally assessed)
R093 (40%): Creative iMedia in the media industry (externally assessed)
Cambridge Nationals Creative Imedia is made up of three sections:
R094 - Visual identity and digital graphics (internally assessed)
The aim of this unit is for learners to understand the basics of digital graphics editing for the creative and digital media sector. This unit is coursework graded and is compulsory.
R097 - Interactive digital media (internally assessed)
This unit will enable learners to understand the basics of interactive products where students will plan, create and test an interactive digital product to meet the clients' requirements.
R093 - Creative iMedia in the media industry (externally assessed).
This is an exam unit where you will sit an exam covering creative Imedia in the media industry. It will develop student’s understanding of the media industry sector and products, job roles, research and documents that can help aid planning. The written exam is out of 70 and will be sat at the end of Year 11.
Progression Routes
GCSE Computer Science: Many of the students who enjoyed studying GCSE Computer Science have gone on to study A Level Computer Science or gone into Web Design. Employers and apprenticeships will value the discipline of this GCSE qualification as it encourages critical thinking, technical and problem-solving skills.
Cambridge Nationals Creative Imedia: Completing the Creative iMedia course opens up a wide range of progression routes in both education and the creative digital industry. Learners can move on to Level 2 or Level 3 qualifications such as Creative Media, Digital Media, IT, Graphic Design, Photography, or Games Design. The skills developed across the units also support progression into apprenticeships in areas like digital marketing, web design, content creation, and junior media production roles.
Future Careers
GCSE Computer Science: Future careers include, database administrator, games developer, information systems manager, IT consultant, multimedia programmer, systems analyst & developer and web designer & developer. You will never look back and think that you have never used the skills you learnt in computer science, as computing skills became more important in the job market. The technology field is one of the fastest-growing and highest-paid industries, IT industries account for a large proportion of available jobs in the County Durham and Teesside area.
Cambridge Nationals Creative Imedia: Graphic Designer, Digital Illustrator, Web Designer, User Interface Designer, Animator, Games Designer, Video Editor, Content Creator, Social Media Manager, Digital Marketing Assistant, Photographer or Photo Editor, Media Production Assistant, Interactive Media Developer