Curriculum – Computing

Vision

Computers are ubiquitous and fulfil an important role in everyday life. Being digitally literate is an essential skill for our students to participate fully in society. Students follow the National Curriculum programme of study for Computing in KS3, which incorporates Computer Science, ICT and E-Safety.

Students learn best when they are engaged and enthused, this is achieved through innovative lesson activities. Students currently receive 1 hour lesson per week in KS3 and are taught in mixed ability groups.

Department Virtue

Our department virtue is Knowledgeable. We believe that technologies like the World Wide Web and Internet enhance learning. As teachers, we ensure that students appreciate this and respect the use of technology. In lessons, teachers use catholic teaching where appropriate to enhance students spirituality.

Computing curriculum mapping layer 2 – The overview of KS3

GCSE Subjects

We offer three subjects at GCSE, Computer Science which is part of the English Baccalaureate, along with Creative iMedia and Enterprise and Marketing.

Computer Science

Students learn how a computer works and how components like the CPU work with other parts of a computer system. Furthermore, the subject offers an opportunity for students to learn about the moral, ethical and legal issues surrounding computer use in society. Students develop their understanding of the fundamentals of computer science: abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation. The subject is creative, with students designing, writing and debugging code to solve problems.

Creative iMedia

Creative iMedia is a media sector-focused qualification, equipping students with an understanding of how the digital media sector works. Students learn how to work to client briefs, designing multimedia products to meet the clients needs. The subject utilises ICT software to teach students how to create digital graphics, video, animation and sound, and how to edit them for a specific purpose and audience.

Enterprise and Marketing

Students develop their understanding of enterprise and marketing through practical and theoretical activities in the first topic, which can then be applied to topics two and three. In the second topic, students design a business proposal to meet a specific business challenge, currently a hat or pizza business. In the third topic students create a brand identity, promotional plan, including presentation to pitch their idea to an external audience, in a ‘dragons den style’.

GCSE Assessment

Course: OCR Computer Science J277

The GCSE is assessed through two written examinations that are equally weighted and account for 100%.

Paper 1 – Computer Systems

Written paper: 1 hour and 30 minutes
50% of total GCSE 80 marks This is a non-calculator paper.
All questions are mandatory.
This paper consists of multiple choice questions, short response questions and extended response questions.

Paper 2 – Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

Written paper: 1 hour and 30 minutes
50% of total GCSE 80 marks This is a non-calculator paper.
This paper has two sections: Section A and Section B. Students must answer both sections. All questions are mandatory.
In Section B, questions assessing students’ ability to write or refine algorithms must be answered using either the OCR Exam Reference Language or the high-level programming language they are familiar with.

Course: OCR Creative iMedia J817

Students gain either a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* in this subject. Students complete two mandatory units and two optional units.

Mandatory Units

R081: Pre-production skills
Written paper OCR-set and marked 1 hour 15 mins – 60 marks. Worth 25% of the overall qualification.

R082: Creating digital graphics
Centre-assessed tasks that are then moderated by the examining board (OCR). Approximately 10 hours, worth 60 marks. This unit contributes to 25% of the overall qualification.

Optional Units

R087: Creating interactive multimedia products
Centre-assessed tasks that are then moderated by the examining board (OCR). Approximately 10 hours, worth 60 marks. This unit contributes to 25% of the overall qualification.

R088: Creating a digital sound sequence
Centre-assessed tasks that are then moderated by the examining board (OCR). Approximately 10 hours, worth 60 marks. This unit contributes to 25% of the overall qualification.

Course: OCR Enterprise and Marketing J819

Students gain either a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* in this subject. Students complete one written examination and two coursework units.

R064: Enterprise and Marketing Concepts
Written paper OCR-set and marked 1 hour 15 mins – 80 marks. Worth 50% of the overall qualification.

R065: Design a business proposal
Centre-assessed tasks that are then moderated by the examining board. Approximately 10 hours, worth 60 marks. This unit contributes to 25% of the overall qualification.

R066: Market and pitch a business proposal
Centre-assessed tasks that are then moderated by the examining board. Approximately 10 hours, worth 60 marks. This unit contributes to 25% of the overall qualification

Higher education pathways

Studying Computer Science, Creative iMedia or Enterprise and Marketing provides a foundation for further learning in higher education. There are a number of courses available locally including:

A-Levels