Computer Science and ICT

Head of Department: Emma Wentworth (emma.wentworth@buxton.derbyshire.sch.uk)

Key Stage 3

Throughout Year 7, 8 and 9 we intend to support every child regardless of their ability. Students focus on the foundation of computing and ICT and cover a wide variety of projects to give them a good base for GCSE; should they choose to opt for it in year 10.

The scheme of learning is as follows:

Year 7 – Basic Skills (word, email, power point and spreadsheets), Binary, HTML, Social Networking and E Safety, Computers and Computional thinking.

Year 8 – Website, Binary, Python, Networks, Internet safety, App and Representations from clay to silicon

Year 9 – Back to the Future, Vocational ICT, Python, Computer Hardware, Cyber Security and Date science.

Key Stage 4

At GCSE (examined through OCR) the students study three components to make up their GCSE Computing qualification

Component 01: Computer systems

Introduces students to the Central Processing Unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, system security and system software.

It also looks at ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns associated with computer science.

Systems architecture
Memory and storage
Computer networks, connections and protocols
Network security
System software
Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns

Examination

80 marks
1 hour 30 mins
Written paper
No calculator
50%

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 techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic, translators and data representation.

The skills and knowledge developed within this component will support the learner when completing the Component 03 Programming Project

Algorithms
Programming fundamentals
Producing robust programs
Boolean logic
Programming languages and integrated development environments

ExaminatioN

80 marks
1 hour 30 mins
Written paper
No calculator 50%

Component 03: Programming project

Practical Programming

All students must be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s), either to a specification or to solve a problem (or problems), during their course of study. Students may draw on some of the content in both components when engaged in Practical Programming.

WJEC Information Communication Technology Level 1 and 2

Unit 1: ICT in Society
On-screen examination: 1 hour 20 minutes
40% of qualification 80 Marks

Questions requiring objective responses, short and extended answers, based around applied situations. Learners will be required to use stimulus material to respond to questions

WJEC Information Communication Technology

Unit 2: ICT in Context
Controlled assessment: 40 hours
60% of qualification 120 Marks
An assignment brief will be provided by WJEC which will include a scenario and several tasks available via the WJEC Secure Website.

WJEC Information Communication Technology

Planning, creating, modifying and using Databases
Planning, creating, modifying and using Spreadsheets
Planning, creating and modifying an Automated document – mail merge
Planning, creating, manipulating and Storing images