ICT

Year 7 ICT 

Unit 1. Using computers safely, effectively and responsibly 

In this unit students learn how to use computers safely, effectively and responsibly. Pupils begin by looking at file management and security. There are a wide range of e-safety issues that are also covered including cyber-bullying and phishing as well as other potential online threats. Students are also taught to understand and be aware of potential issues with online communication such as social media and email including online profiles and online data security.

 
Unit 2. Understanding Computers 

Pupils will revise some of the theory on input and output covered in previous learning and continue to look at the Input-Process-Output sequence and the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle through practical activities. Pupils will then look at some simple binary to decimal conversion and vice versa and learn how text characters are represented using the ASCII code. This will be followed by some simple binary addition. Pupils will learn more in depth how storage devices represent data using binary patterns and physically save these patterns. Finally, they will look at a brief history of communication devices, how new technologies and applications are emerging and the pace of change. 

Unit 3. Multimedia project on Computer Hardware

Students use their knowledge of understanding computers to create a digital artifact for a given target audience. They will understand how to ensure their work suits its purpose and what sort of techniques can be used to target different demographics. This includes considering the use of text and images, as well as looking at how other types of media can be used alongside them. 

 
Unit 4. Computational Thinking  

This unit introduces students to the world of computational thinking and logic. With the help of many activities, students get to understand the power of problem solving and the different methods that Computer Scientists use to tackle problems. This forms the underpinning of the programming they do in later units throughout their IT learning journey. 

Unit 5. Games Programming in Scratch 

In this unit pupils will be introduced to the Scratch programming environment and begin by reverse-engineering some existing games. They will then progress to planning and developing their own games, learning to incorporate variables, procedures (using the Broadcast function), lists and operators. They should be able to create a fully working game with lives, scoring and some randomisation of objects. Finally, they will learn to test and debug their programs. 

Year 8 ICT 

Unit 1. Computer Crime and cyber security 

This unit covers some of the legal safeguards regarding computer use, including overviews of the Computer Misuse Act, Data Protection Act and GDPR and Copyright Law and their implications for computer use. Phishing scams and other email frauds, hacking, “data harvesting” identity theft and safe use of social media are discussed together with ways of protecting online identity and privacy. Health and Safety Law and environmental issues such as the safe disposal of old computers are also discussed. 

Unit 2. Interface design 

Students will use the knowledge they acquired in unit 1 to develop an interface to guide others through the topic of cyber security. They will plan out their interface and then create an interface that uses a range of techniques to engage their audience and has a high level of usability.

Unit 3. Artificial Intelligence

This unit gives students an introduction to the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Throughout this unit, students will experience a variety of real-world AI applications and be made aware of the ever-increasing range of AI-related careers. As well as considering the social and ethical implications of AI developments, they will have the opportunity to delve deeper and explore machine learning models and the engines that make them work.

Unit 4. Small Basic programming 

Students build on their logical thinking and programming skills developed in year 7. They move from block-based programming to textual programming, developing their knowledge of key concepts such as iteration and selection. They learn the structure and commands of the language to apply programming concepts to artistic creations. 

Unit 5. Vector graphics

This is an introduction to graphics and graphic file types. The unit explores how vector images are represented and stored by the computer. There is also opportunity for pupils to practise skills in design, image-editing and manipulation using a suitable graphics package.

Year 9 ICT

Unit 1. Digital Graphics 

This unit follows on from the learning they started at the end of year 8. The unit explores how bitmap images are represented and stored by the computer. Students will understand the planning process behind image creation. There is also opportunity for pupils to practise skills in poster design, image-editing and manipulation using a suitable graphics package.

Unit 2. HTML and website development 

In this unit students learn about how web pages are styled and created using HTML and CSS. They will study HTML that sets out the structure of web pages and CSS that determines the style of different elements on the page. They look at how these techniques can be used to design a basic web site and include information and images that are accessible to a range of different users.  

Unit 3. Introduction to Python

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts in programming. They will use a language called Python to complete various tasks to build their skills and knowledge of programming as a step up from the learning they completed in their year 7 Scratch project. 

Unit 4. Animation

In this unit pupils will learn basic graphic drawing and animation techniques such as frame-by-frame animation and tweening as well as working with layers. They will undertake a creative project to plan, create and evaluate a short animation of their own, as well as studying professionally made animations. 

For ICT, students study Cambridge National in Creative iMedia. This course will encourage students to:

• Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of digital media including factors that influence product design, use of media codes and conventions, pre-production planning techniques, legal issues and creation/publishing/distribution considerations

• Develop learning and practical skills that can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations

• Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically

• Develop independence and confidence in using skills that would be relevant to the media industry and more widely

• Design, plan, create and review digital media products which are fit for purpose meeting both client and target audience requirements. 

For GCSE in Computer Science students are assessed through two external examinations at the end of Year 11, each exam is worth 50%. Paper 1 covers algorithms and programming, looking at the fundamentals of how computers are given instructions, maintain efficiency and building the skills to make their own programs. Paper 2 focuses on the knowledge of data representation, the ethical issues of computer science and databases.

For all courses learners engage in both formative and summative assessments as part of the learning and teaching process in and outside the classroom. 

Assessment: 

The BTEC Tech Awards in Digital Information Technology and Enterprise qualifications are formally assessed through controlled assessment and examination which is externally assessed. The two controlled assessment tasks make up 60% of the final grade, with single exam making up the final 40%. 
 
For GCSE in Computer Science students are assessed through two external examinations at the end of Year 11, each exam is worth 50%. For all courses learners engage in both formative and summative assessments as part of the learning and teaching process in and outside the classroom.