Computer Science
The Computer Science department aim to inspire pupils to develop their creativity in all forms of digital communication and technology. We strive to provide outstanding quality education and lifelong skills for students in the ever-changing and challenging global environment of the 21st century. All pupils are given the skills and confidence to become independent learners with excellent ICT skills for a life in the digital age.
We expect all student to come ready for lesson and with a can do attitude. You need to be resilient to problem solving and listen to all instructions you are given by members of staff. We have many resources on the year drives that are there for you to use at any time.
key stage 3
Year 7
Throughout Years 7 to 9 pupils will study elements in:
- Introduction to the Silverdale system
- E-safety
- Activity Company, desktop publishing, Excel
- Inside the computer
- Scratch project
- Control using Flowol
- BBC Microbit programing/robotics
year 8
- E-safety
- Video editing
- Control using Flowol
- Flash animation
- Photoshop
- Website design in Dreamweaver
year 9
- E-safety
- Photoshop
- Encryption and binary
- Boolean logic
- Python programming
- Robot programing
- Impact of ICT on society
gcse computer science
(OCR EXAM BOARD)
Computer science is still young. A famous example of 'early computing' was the bomb codebreaking machine at Bletchley Park in World War 2. This was before what most people would say is the first electronic computer, ENIAC, was announced to the public in 1946.
Computers feature in almost every aspect of our society, and are still increasing in popularity. From banking, shopping and communicating to driving our cars, controlling our homes and making decisions for us - there’s very little a computer can’t do. And if a computer can’t do it, chances are someone’s trying to make it do it!
Technology will continue to dominate our communities. The number of jobs will increase rapidly as people realise its importance, as well as our dependence upon it. If you removed all computing and technology, society as we know it would grind to a halt.
what will you learn?
In Computer Science you will learn:
- Computer systems.
- Computational thinking, algorithms and programming.
The curriculum is designed to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand human and machine intelligence. You will apply the academic principles you learn in the classroom to real-world systems in an exciting and engaging way.
how will you be assessed?
GCSE Computer Science is now assessed through two written examinations. Each exam is worth 50% of your overall grade. Programming is a core practical skill which will support the underpinning of the theory for the examinations.
GCSE creative imedia
(CAMBRIDGE NATIONALS - EQUIVALENT TO 1 GCSE)
Digital Media is a key part of many areas of our everyday lives and vital to the UK economy. Production of digital media products is a requirement of almost every business, so there is huge demand for a skilled and digitally literate workforce. This qualification will help students develop specific and transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts. The qualification’s hands-on approach has strong relevance to the way young people use the technology required in creative media.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
In Creative iMedia you will learn how to create different digital products using a range of software. This includes: Adobe Dreamweaver and Photoshop.
The emphasis on this course is developing your creativity and creating industry standard publications. This includes: magazines, comic strips and websites.
You will deepen your understanding of pre-production methods, design techniques and strategies to communicate effectively.
how will this be assessed?
The course is split into 4 parts of equal weighting (each 25% of your overall grade).
There are 3 centre assessed tasks, which will be 3 different digital products such as a website, comic strip, advertisement, short film etc.
The final part is an examination on the theory which underpins the practical work completed in the centre assessed tasks.
beyond the classroom
Our Computer Science department has friendly, supportive staff who run extra-curricular activities such as Coding Club and the Digital Ambassadors scheme. We are also constantly developing links with local businesses. We have also run a Cafe Project in Year 8, where students help Year 6 students from local feeder schools.
future pathways
Computer Science is now called the fourth science and counts towards the Ebacc. It has become a sought-after, highly paid career with huge potential for future expansion, with computer scientists being employed by the top technology companies. Possible jobs range from Software Architect and Mobile Developer, to Data Scientist and Frontend Developer - all earning upwards of £70,000!
Creative iMedia is an excellent foundation to a wide range of careers and Post-16 opportunities. A good grade will allow you to take any A-level course, including Media Studies and Computer Science. The skills you have gained will also be valued by vocational courses and by employers.
