IT

The Computing curriculum equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.

The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Aims

The computing curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology

Computing curriculum information for Years 7-11

Year	Term	Units of Work	Assessments
7	Autumn	Unit 1 - System Introduction and Office Skills - Pupils learn how to use Academy systems such as Insight and Office 365. They also gain an understanding of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Publisher, Excel and Access. Should pupils wish to practice using the software used in lessons, free access is available to them via their Office 365 account.	This unit is assessed by pupils completing a one hour written test. Formative assessments on VLE- -Baseline Assessment -Letter -Written test
	Spring	Unit 2 – Desktop Publishing Pupils will learn how to use a range of DTP software. They will generate a range of documents in relation to a music festival. These documents will include event plans, posters, ID cards, vector graphics and digital adverts. Unit 3 – Adventure Story Pupils will learn how to create effective presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. Pupils will find out about the different functions and formats that can be used within the software and then apply it to the topic of Adventure Story; where students design and create an Interactive presentation.	Formative assessments on VLE- -Event Mascot/Logo -Vector event plan -Desktop Evaluation This unit is assessed by pupils completing a computer based task and describing tools and techniques within the software that they have used to be successful.
	Summer	Unit 4- Spreadsheets Pupils will learn about what a spreadsheet is, how they are used, and the functions and features found when editing a spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel. Pupils will identify the formatting tools that can be used within Excel and be able to design and create a range of spreadsheet solutions for given tasks. Unit 5 - Coding with Scratch - Pupils learn coding fundamentals such as iteration and selection, using a visual programming language called KODU Using the visual game lab, pupils will design and create a range of environments using programming constructs.	Formative assessments on VLE- -Uses of Spreadsheets -Functions and Formulae -Spreadsheet Creation for a given purpose This unit is assessed by pupils completing a computer based task and describing tools and techniques within the software that they have used to be successful.
8	Autumn	Unit 1- Website Design & Analysis Pupils will learn about web furniture and how they are used to construct web pages. Pupils will be able to use HTML to generate their own website and use website design software to create a website for a specific purpose. Throughout the unit, pupils will be discussing target audience, purpose and design elements that engage the audience. Unit 2 - Digital Graphics - Image manipulation is all around us, rarely is an image in the media a true unedited one. Pupils learn how to use Adobe Photoshop for the digital manipulation. This unit is assessed by pupils completing a computer based task and describing tools and techniques within the software that they have used to be successful.	Formative assessments on VLE- -Web Furniture -Website Design -Website Creation This unit is assessed by pupils completing a computer based task and describing tools and techniques within the software that they have used to be successful.
	Spring	Unit 3 – Digital Animation - Pupils will learn different animation techniques used in industry such as Key Frame and Stop Frame. They will also learn how animation is used in the advertising sector, applying their knowledge to create their own advert. This unit is assessed by pupils completing a computer based task and describing tools and techniques within the software that they have used to be successful. Unit 4- Computer Systems and Hardware Technology is ever changing but foundations stay the same. Pupils discover communication in computing and how computers work. Pupils learn about computer systems, binary, ASCII, networking and the CPU. This unit is assessed upon completion in the form of a one hour written test.	This unit is assessed by pupils completing a computer based task and describing tools and techniques within the software that they have used to be successful. Formative assessments on VLE- -Basic Hardware -Binary
	Summer	Unit 5 - Coding with Scratch - Pupils learn coding fundamentals such as iteration and selection, using a visual programming language called Scratch. Should pupils wish to practice using the software used in lessons, a free online version is accessible here: https://scratch.mit.edu/ This unit is assessed by pupils completing a computer-based task and describing tools and techniques within the software that they have used to be successful.	This unit is assessed by pupils completing a computer based task and describing tools and techniques within the software that they have used to be successful.
9	Autumn	BTEC Creative Media Production- Component 1- Exploring Media Products	A1: Media products, audiences and purpose Specified assignment from exam board- Internal assessment (coursework)
	Spring	BTEC Creative Media Production- Component 1- Exploring Media Products	B1: Genre, narrative, representation and audience interpretation Specified assignment from exam board- Internal assessment (coursework)
	Summer	BTEC Creative Media Production- Component 1- Exploring Media Products	B2: Media production techniques Specified assignment from exam board- Internal assessment (coursework)
10	Autumn	BTEC Creative Media Production- Component 2- Developing Digital Media Production Skills	A1: Practical skills and techniques Specified assignment from exam board. B1: Pre-production processes and practices Specified assignment from exam board- Internal assessment (coursework)
	Spring	BTEC Creative Media Production- Component 2- Developing Digital Media Production Skills	B2: Production processes and practices Specified assignment from exam board- Internal assessment (coursework) B3: Post-production processes and practices Specified assignment from exam board- Internal assessment (coursework)
	Summer	BTEC Creative Media Production- Component 2- Developing Digital Media Production Skills	C1: Review of progress and development Specified assignment from exam board- Internal assessment (coursework)
11	Autumn	BTEC Creative Media Production- Component 3- Create a Media Product in Response to a Brief	A1: Responding to a brief A2: Generating ideas B1: Planning materials B2: Managing the production process
	Spring	BTEC Creative Media Production- Component 3- Create a Media Product in Response to a Brief	C1: Monitor and review the outcomes of the production process C2: Production skills and techniques C3: Combining and refining content C4: Testing and exporting for distribution External assessment during Summer Term

BTEC course information

Qualification & Board	Pearson Edexcel Level 2 BTEC Tech Award in Creative Media Production
Course Content (for A level, how this follows on from GCSE)	The course consists of 3 components: The components are: Component 1- Exploring Media Products A1: Media products, audiences and purpose Looking at a range of past and present media products, such as podcasts, magazines and mobile apps, students will examine how media products engage audiences for a given purpose. Students will develop their understanding of the relationship between media products, their audiences and purposes. B1: Genre, narrative, representation and audience interpretation Students will select media products from one of the three sectors: audio/moving image, publishing and interactive, and explore how genre, narrative and representation are combined to engage their audience. Students will develop their understanding of how media products are created to appeal to their audiences. B2: Media production techniques Students will deconstruct media products to examine how media production techniques combine to create meaning for audiences. Students will develop their understanding of how different production techniques combine to create meaning. Component 2- Developing Digital Media Production Skills A1: Practical skills and techniques Students will participate in workshops and classes to develop media production skills and techniques appropriate to one, or all, of the following media sectors: audio/moving image, publishing and interactive media. B: Apply media production skills and techniques Students will apply relevant media production skills and techniques through the following media practices: pre-production, production and post-production when reworking extracts of an existing media product/s such as a movie trailer, a magazine cover or a platform game. C: Review own progress and development of skills and practices Students must track their progress during this component, reflecting on their development of skills and techniques in workshops through to the application of pre-production, production and post-production processes and practices. Component 3- Create a Media Product in Response to a Brief
Potential Career paths	Web Design, Photography, Graphic Design, Gaming, Media Studies
Assessments (inc. field work / assessed practicals)	Component 1- Exploring Media Products Learning Aim A- Investigate media products (Assignment 1) Learning Aim B- Explore how media products are created to provide meaning and engage audiences (Assignment 2) Component 2- Developing Digital Media Production Skills Learning Aim A- Develop media production skills and techniques (Assignment 1) Learning Aim B- Apply media production skills and techniques (Assignment 2) Learning Aim C- Review own progress and development of skills and practices (Assignment 3) Component 3- Create a Media Product in Response to a Brief- assessed by controlled task and marked externally.
Core or Option	Option
No Option Choices (GCSE only)
No. GCSE / A Level equivalent	1 GCSE Equivalent