Our world is digital. An understanding of computer science will enable young people to make informed choices in their digital world. This is important for all our children, not just those who will become the graphic designers, games programmers or software engineers of the future.
The Computing Curriculum is designed to equip students with knowledge, understanding, skills and a desire to learn more about the three disciplines within Computing: IT, Digital Literacy and Computer Science.
They will learn IT skills that will help them use a computer well, create digital products and become effective digital citizens.
They will become digitally literate including staying safe online, understanding the impact of computing, and learning the key moments that shaped our digital world.
And they will study Computer Science: how computers work, how they communicate globally, why Computational Thinking helps us solve problems, and how to create algorithms and programs to achieve our goals.
At all stages of the curriculum, students are encouraged to work independently, think deeply, and write effectively about the content. There are many opportunities for enrichment and further elective study, such as the Bebras competition, UnitedApp, Vodafone Digital Creators’ Challenge, CyberDiscovery, a trip to Bletchley Park, other trips and some co-curricular work.
SEND students will not be disadvantaged, as appropriate support and adjustments are embedded where necessary, including alternative work where appropriate, use of accessibility features and trained key worker support.
The curriculum is designed to prepare students for onward study of either Computer Science or Creative iMedia, if they so choose, but also stands alone as a key element of their Secondary education, preparing all students to become effective creators of a better digital future.
The curriculum is designed around key “Big Questions” which are broken down into “Enquiry Questions”, and each unit of work seeks to answer these questions in a series of lessons, while delivering new skills and tackling key concepts, as laid out in the following pages.
More information for pupils is available on the Department website (school Office 365 sign in required).
Towards the end of Year 9 pupils will choose their Key Stage 4 options. We offer two qualifications in the Computing Department, The OCR Computer Science GCSE and the Cambridge Nationals Certificate in Creative iMedia.
GCSE Computer Science
What course will I follow?
OCR GCSE Computer Science
What will I study?
Unit 1: Computer systems (50%) – Written exam paper (1 hour 30 minutes) taken at the end of year 11. This unit covers the body of knowledge about computer systems on, which the examination will be based:
- Systems architecture
- Memory Storage
- Wired and wireless networks
- Network topologies, protocols and layers
- Network security
- System software
- Moral, social, legal, cultural and environmental concerns
Unit 2: Computational thinking, Algorithms and Programming (50%) – Written exam paper (1 hour 30 minutes) taken at the end of year 11.
- Translators and facilities of languages
- Algorithms
- High- and low-level programming
- Computational logic
- Data representation
A programming project, approximately 20 hours of work undertaken within the two years. Candidates will be challenged by a range of exciting and engaging tasks to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned.
Additional Information
The Royal Society report, published in January 2012, states that “every child should have the opportunity of studying Computing at school”. The GCSE OCR computing course will give students a real, in depth understanding of how computer technology works, an insight into what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ including computer programming. The course provides excellent preparation for higher study and employment in the field of Computer Science. The increasing importance of information technologies means there will be a growing demand for professionals who are qualified in this area. The course will develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills through the study of computer programming. This is a fun and interesting way to develop these skills, which can be transferred to other subjects and applied in day-to-day life and is an excellent preparation for students who want to study or work in areas that rely on these skills, especially where they are applied to technical problems. These areas include engineering, financial and resource management, science and medicine.
Exam Board Website:
ocr.org.uk
Student Resources
Current students can access more support and links to study resources on the Department internal website KS4 page, or via bit.ly/whgscomp and clicking on KS4.
Creative iMedia
What course will I follow?
OCR Cambridge Nationals Creative iMedia Level 2 Certificate - J817
What will I study?
The Cambridge National in Creative iMedia equips students with the wide range of knowledge and skills needed to work in the creative digital media sector. They start at pre-production and develop their skills through practical assignments as they create final multimedia products. Students must complete two mandatory units and two optional units totalling 240 marks.
R081: Pre-production skills (mandatory)
Written exam paper, 1 hour 15 mins, worth 60 marks.
R082: Creating digital graphics (mandatory)
Coursework estimated at 10 hours, assessed by your teacher and moderated by OCR, worth 60 marks.
Two optional coursework units from the following list (subject to availability of software and teacher approval):
R083: Creating 2D and 3D digital characters, R084: Storytelling with a comic strip, R085: Creating a multipage website, R086: Creating a digital animation, R087: Creating interactive multimedia products, R088: Creating a digital sound sequence, R089 Creating a digital video sequence, R090: Digital photography, R091: Designing a game concept, R092: Developing digital games. Each of these modules is worth 60 marks and requires 10 hours of independent coursework assessed by your teacher.
Grades Available:
The course is equivalent to a GCSE and is graded as follows: Level 2 Distinction-Star (*2), Level 2 Distinction (D2), Level 2 Merit (M2), Level 2 Pass (P2), Level 1 Distinction (D1), Level 1 Merit (M1), Level 1 Pass (P1).
Additional Information
The Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia will equip learners with a range of creative media skills and provide opportunities to develop desirable, transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts effectively. Using these skills, learners will make fit-for-purpose creative media products. The certificate will challenge all learners, including high attaining learners, by introducing them to demanding material and techniques; encouraging independence and creativity and providing tasks that engage with the most taxing aspects of the National Curriculum.
Student Resources
Current students can access more support and links to study resources on the Department internal website KS4 page, or via bit.ly/whgscomp and clicking on KS4.
Downloads
Creative iMedia Course Overview
Computer Science Overview