Computing and ICT

Computing and ICT offer students the opportunity to get to grips with using software applications as well as developing their knowledge and understanding of how computer systems work and how software is designed and created using code.

We aim to ensure that all pupils have the knowledge and understanding of computing and information technology systems that will enable them to be effective users of technology in both their education and everyday life. We hope to give pupils an insight in to computing and computer science as well as helping them to develop the IT skills that are essential to learning and the ability to apply these skills to new situations to develop solutions to problems. Our curriculum is one that aims to retain the essential IT skills that pupils need on a day-to-day basis, problem-solving, safety and searching for, managing and presenting data while also introducing them to the new computing elements of the curriculum where pupils will learn more about Computer Science, how computers work, algorithms, problem solving and programming.

Students are assessed at KS3 through a range of activities from end-of-unit written tests to practical tasks over a number of lessons, which are assessed and used to provide feedback to help students develop in all areas.

Pupils who select Computing as an option will study the OCR GCSE qualification. The aim of the course is to:

• Give learners a real, in-depth understanding of how computer technology works.
• Provide excellent preparation for higher study and employment in Computer Science.
• Develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills.

The GCSE covers the following areas:

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

COMPONENT 1 – Externally assessed written exam, 1½ hours, 50% of overall grade

• Study how processors work
• Investigate computer memory and storage
• Explore modern network layouts and how they function
• Build skills in the increasingly important realm of cyber security
• Investigate how types of software are used within computer systems
• Gain wider comprehension of how computers and computing affect ethical, legal, cultural and environmental issues

COMPUTATIONAL THINKING, ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING

COMPONENT 2 – Externally assessed written exam, 1½ hours, 50% of overall grade

• Study fundamental algorithms in computer science
• Build a firm foundation in programming techniques
• Produce programs through diagrams
• Thoroughly test programs and make them resistant to misuse
• Explore Boolean algebra (AND, OR, NOT)
• Understand how we store data within computers in binary form

A PROGRAMMING PROJECT

COMPONENT 3

• Use new-found programming skills on an independent coding project by solving a real-world problem of your choice
• The project gives students the opportunity to develop their practical programming skills and use this in a practical application
• This is a key element of the GCSE course required by the exam board 

Useful websites

The following websites are all great resources for anyone studying Computing:

www.pythonschool.net/ – learn the basics of coding using the Python programming language

www.codecademy.com/ – learn a range of coding skills and languages interactively and free.

www.thinkuknow.co.uk  – this website has lots of useful information on online safety and students across all years are encouraged to view it.

www.teach-ict.com  – this website gives many helpful resources and reading which would be useful at all key stages.

www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z34k7ty  – GCSE Bitesize – a useful website for KS4 students, this includes videos and help guides to walk students through a variety of tasks.

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j276-from-2016/ – All the key information about the qualification from the OCR exam board.

Subject Lead for Computing and ICT is Mr Padgham who can be contacted by email at d.padgham@valeofyorkacademy.org