Computing and ICT

In Years 7 & 8, Computing is taught in Forms for one lesson per week.

Topics studied in Year 7:

• How to use computers safely and responsibly
• Scratch games programming
• Excel Spreadsheets
• Databases and Touch Typing

Topics studied in Year 8:

• Spreadsheet Modelling
• Cryptography and Codebreaking
• Python Programming
• Programming BBC Microbits

The Computing course is designed to encompass elements of both academic Computer Science and practical software skills.  Some topics contain elements of both, where a topic is studied and a software package used to produce digital content on that topic.  Much of the work pupils do in Computing will be in the form of project work, but there will also be some theory lessons.

Topics studied:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Programming / Algorithms
• Understanding Computers / Hardware
• Binary Numbers
• Creating Apps

Examining Board: OCR

In Years 10 and 11, we offer Computer Science as a GCSE option. Computer Science GCSE is a practical course with time split between learning Computer Science Theory and learning to code in Python. We build significantly on the knowledge developed in the Lower School. Pupils learn advanced techniques including file handling and interface design.

Examination of GCSE Computer Science is by two one hour 30 minute examinations designed to test pupils' knowledge of theory as well as their programming skills.

Examining Board: OCR

In the Sixth Form, we offer OCR A level Computer Science which neatly follows on from the GCSE course. At A level students learn the Java programming language using a development environment called Netbeans.

The first year of the course is spent learning the Java language alongside Computer Science theory. But pupils will also be encouraged to explore other programming languages based on their areas of interest. The second year of the course includes an extended project where students will be required to design and code an application of their choice. The purpose of the project application is entirely down to the student to decide and can be produced in a programming language of their choice.

Computing Club for Years 8 - 11 allows pupils to explore areas of the subject they are interested in. For example:

• Programming
• Robotics
• Cyber Security and Cryptography (Including entry into relevant competitions)