Computer Science and Business

Mr Paul Reed – TeacherMr Matthew Nicholson – TeacherMs Rachael Hall – TeacherComputer Science & ICT reading list

“Computational thinking is core to the programme of study. It is the process of recognising aspects of computation in the world that surrounds us and applying tools and techniques from computing to understand and reason about both natural and artificial systems and processes.”

Full curriculum information for every subject studied at The Macclesfield Academy can be downloaded here

For more details about the Computer science and ICT  curriculum, please email ashlie.williams@macclesfieldacademy.org

Key Stage 3 Computer Science Curriculum Intent

At Key Stage 3 we strive to provide high-quality computing education to equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. 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 digital content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate so that ideas can be developed through the use of information and communication technology at a level suitable for the future workplace and as an active participant in a digital world. 

In the Computer Science department we aim 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 digital technology

Within Key Stage 3, students are taught three distinct strands within Computing, each of which is complementary to the others: Computer Science (CS), Information Technology (IT) and Digital Literacy (DL). The computing department aims to develop character by ensuring that all pupils are:

• able to complete the fundamental skills within the various pieces of software by stretching and challenging students to ensure that they can develop the more advanced skills within the software being used. ​Students develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately;
• able to write their own programs and confidently use application software regularly test their products and demonstrate resilience through problem solving until they have created a solution. 

Technology is advancing at a phenomenal rate as products are being developed or upgraded rapidly. As a consequence, there is an increased amount of threats both socially and technologically. Therefore, we ensure that we regularly reference these dangers and ensure that students develop a much greater awareness and understanding of these and know how to become more secure and safe whilst being online. Students learn about their rights and responsibilities in addition to the various legislation, which includes The Protection from Harassment Act, The Computer Misuse Act and The Data Protection Act. Students are also taught about what they should do if they find themselves or know of others who are having any online issues. 

As a department, we believe that students should develop their understanding and skills by becoming very resilient. We provide a range of differentiated tasks in order to allow students to grapple with concepts and make mistakes in a safe environment. This helps to generate a real “buzz” in the air as students challenge themselves and each other at every opportunity.

Intent

In years 7,8 and 9 students will work through the computer science topic areas, programming, digital literacy and IT, reflecting regularly on their knowledge and understanding throughout. Each topic provides opportunities to build up skills through practical and theoretical activities with links to prior learning flowing through the curriculum for years 7-9. Each unit will conclude with an assessment. Many opportunities are provided throughout each module which include practical work, such as exploring the inside of the computer, and programming and searching will present problem solving skills that students will need to show resilience and initiative.

Students will be stretched throughout the course as they will have plenty of opportunity to explore computer science and IT in a way that they have never done before. They will explore inside and outside of the compute; they will build a website in HTML using real life data and will program a computer using multiple software such as Small basic, Logo Scratch, Python as well as using digital literacy through desktop publishing. They will use effective research using boolean searching, e- safety concepts and famous figures in computing. They will also be introduced to how computers work and calculate and will carry out calculations to convert between binary and denary values, flowcharts and pseudocode, binary sorting and logic.

Impact

Students will have an overall good knowledge and understanding of how computer systems work and will build up transferable skills through the HTML unit and will develop a good knowledge and understanding of programming skills and terminology in preparation for learning textual based programming.

In years 10 & 11 teaching builds on prior knowledge acquired during KS3. Pupils have the option to choose 1 of 2 courses:

Computer Science: “The qualification will build on the knowledge, understanding and skills established through the Computer Science elements of the Key Stage 3 programme of study. The content has been designed not only to allow for a solid basis of understanding but to engage learners and get them thinking about real world application.”

Pupils have the option to choose 1of 3 courses:

• Computer Science GCSE
• Business Studies GCSE
• Cambridge Nationals Creative IMedia

Implementation

• Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation
• Analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs
• Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
• Understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
• Understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society
• Apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science

iMedia

OCR Nationals Creative i-Media (Technical Award)

The Cambridge National in Creative i-Media 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.

The course is made up of four units:

Unit 1: Pre-production skills

Students are introduced to a range of essential pre-production techniques used in the creative and digital media, including client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques. This unit is assessed through an examination

Unit 2: Creating digital graphics

Building on the skills and understanding that they have developed in the previous unit; students explore where and why digital graphics are used and the techniques that are involved in their creation. They apply their skills and knowledge in creating digital graphics against a specific brief. This unit is assessed through an externally moderated project task.

Unit 3: Creating a multipage website

Students explore the different properties, purposes and features of multipage websites. They demonstrate their creativity by combining components to create a functional, intuitive and visually pleasing website. This unit is assessed through an externally moderated project task.

Unit 4: Creating interactive multimedia products

Students develop their knowledge and understanding of about where and why different interactive multimedia products are used and what features are needed for a given purpose. They learn how to interpret a client brief, and how to use time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques as part of the planning and creation process. This unit is assessed through an externally moderated project task.