ICT and Computing
ICT, Computing and Business Studies
Department aims
At Burscough Priory Academy we recognise the key role that ICT, Computing and Business studies play in a rapidly changing world. We aim to provide a broad and exciting curriculum for both KS3 and KS4 students.
ICT and Computing is a core subject that every pupil studies throughout their time with us. We aim to provide our students with a solid understanding of the subject as well as transferable skills they can use in their post-16 studies and their working lives.
ICT & Computer Science should support and encourage students to learn and research independently so they come to rely less and less on their teachers to provide solutions as they develop their own investigative skills. They should also learn to recognise the value and the worth of their work even if it does not fit into a predefined structure that has been generally accepted in the past. Technologies such as the Internet should open up a whole new way of accessing knowledge and learning that should bring a new excitement into learning. Students should be capable of making decisions about the appropriateness of the information that they are accessing and using.
Course content overview KS3
Students will have one hour lesson per week that will cover the following topics.
Year 7
| Name of Unit | Description |
| Unit 1 – School Network and Email | Introduces the pupils to the basics of using a school network and sending and receiving emails including attachments, replying and forwarding emails. |
| Unit 2 – Binary and Control | Introduces binary and allows pupils the opportunity of converting numbers from base 10 to base 2 and back again. |
| Unit 3 – Spy School Spreadsheets | Introduces spreadsheets including basic formula, the Sum, Average, Min and Max functions, replicating formulae with AutoFill, creating graphs and absolute and relative cell references. Higher ability students also look at further functions and advanced features such as conditional formatting. |
| Unit 4 – Repeating Patterns | A short unit allowing pupils to explore creating graphics using Paint and applying a variety of effects to images to create pop art style images. |
| Unit 5 – Adventure Story | Creating an interactive presentation where the user decides on the route through the presentation. Pupils plan, create and evaluate the stories and use hyperlinks to make the story interactive. |
| Unit 6 – E-Safety | Introduces pupils to the dangers of social networking websites and cyber bullying and the dangers to their technology such as viruses, worms and Trojans. They work in groups to create an advertising campaign including a TV advert, a leaflet and a presentation to the rest of the class about what they have learnt. |
| Unit 7 – Scratch | An introduction to programming techniques including understanding writing algorithms and creating games using Scratch. |
Year 8
| Name of Unit | Description |
| Unit 1 – Do aliens exist? | This project allows the students to look into performing primary and secondary research including internet and paper research and creating a questionnaire with open and closed questions, analysing the results in a spreadsheet and finally creating a 3 fold brochure to show their views about if they think aliens exist. |
| Unit 2 – Technology | This unit explains basic terminology about hardware and software, the history of computers, the internet and cloud computing. |
| Unit 3 – Fair Cop | The students learn about creating and using relational databases based around a science convention where a murder takes place and they need to solve the crime using basic and advanced queries. |
| Unit 4 – In Control | The students learn about the dangers of social networking websites, mobile phone use and sexting. |
| An introduction to programming techniques including understanding writing algorithms and creating games using Scratch. | |
Year 9
| Name of Unit | Description |
| Unit 1 – Networks | This unit teaches pupils about networks. They look at network topologies, the hardware and software needed in a network, system tools such as PING and IPCONFIG and what a network administrator does. They also learn about the internet and dangers which can be transmitted over a network such as viruses, Trojan horses and worms. |
| Unit 2 – Lake Garda Project | In this unit the pupils perform research into the area surrounding Lake Garda in Italy. They need to plan a house style and content for several different types of documents for a travel agent. They create the documents and a 30 second TV advert from the clips provided and finally evaluate the work they have produced. |
| Unit 3 – Digital detectives | Pupils learn about online safety, digital risks and e-safety practises. |
| Unit 4 – Python | Pupils learn how to program using Python. It shows them how to using input and output messages, use variables, data types, if statements and loops in their programs. |
| Unit 5- Programming | Pupils will investigate programming using a number of devices including Microbits, Makey Makey and Raspberry Pi. |
Course content overview KS4
The department offers a number of options at ks4. All pupils have 1 hour a week for Functional skills. They can also choose ICT, Computer Science and Business Studies as an option which are each taught in 2 hours a week
GCSE ICT:
GCSE ICT explores how technology works and the effects it has – not just on our daily lives but in everything from commerce and communication, to politics and the music industry. GCSE ICT will qualify you to operate confidently in today’s digital world. GCSE ICT is a useful, real-world qualification, whether you see your future including university, training or going out to work.
Course Content and Assessment
During Year 10, you will complete Unit 2 – Using Digital Tools. This is a practical unit. Students broaden and enhance their ICT skills and capability. They work with a range of digital tools and software, for example, Photoshop, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Excel, Powerpoint, Audactity, Appinventor, and MovieMaker. In recent years, the coursework themes have been based around planning and organising a charity event or a music festival which involves creating logos, radio/tv adverts, marketing materials, database/spreadsheet models, websites, newsletters, digital posters, mobile apps and much much more!
During Year 11, you will complete Unit 1 – Living in a Digital World. This unit prepares you for the theory-based exam at the end of Year 11. In this unit, you will explore how digital technology impacts on the lives of individuals, organisations and society. You will learn about current and emerging digital technologies and the issues raised by their use in a range of contexts (learning and earning, leisure, shopping and money management, health and wellbeing, on the move). You will also develop awareness of the risks that are inherent in using ICT and the features of safe, secure and responsible practice.
The assessment for ICT is split into two units.
Unit 1: Written Exam Paper = 40% of the total grade
Unit 2: Controlled Assessment = 60% of the total grade
The written paper involves sitting one paper for 1 ½ hours. The paper is single tier and will consist of a variety of questions including multiple choice, short answer, open response and extended writing. The controlled assessment involves completing a task within controlled classroom conditions.
How could it help with my future?
If you take a GCSE in ICT and then go on to study the subject at A Level or university, you’ll have an advantage over fellow students who are picking up the subject at these higher levels. A GCSE in ICT opens up an incredible world of opportunities for work both in the technology industries and in supporting roles within other industries. The course is also excellent preparation if you want to study or work in areas that rely on the skills you’ll develop. Examples of these areas include Creative Careers (Digital Marketing, Animation, Web Development), Technical Careers (Product Development, Database Management, Business Management, Account Management, Project/Event Management), and even Writing Careers (Digital Journalism, Web Editing, Advertising).
Business studies:
The GCSE in Business Studies introduces you to the world of business, where you will look at what makes someone a successful business person and find out how to develop an idea or spot an opportunity and turn that into a successful business. If you enjoy communicating and explaining your ideas, working with numbers to solve business problems, thinking creatively and making decisions then the GCSE in Business Studies is the right subject for you!
Course Content and Assessment
The GCSE in Business Studies is packed with plenty of exciting yet useful information that will broaden your horizons in preparation for your future career. Throughout the course, you will learn:
- What makes someone a successful business person
- How to develop an idea or spot an opportunity and turn that into a successful business
- How businesses promote themselves and keep their customers happy
- How businesses manage both their finances and the people who work for them
It is broken into the following range of topics:
- The business organisation
- Marketing
- Finance
- People in business
- Operations management
GCSE Results 2016
| GCSE ICT A*-C |
82% |
| GCSE ICT A/A* |
18% |
| GCSE Computer Science A*-C |
67% |
| GCSE Computer Science A/A* |
33% |
How we stretch and challenge our students
All students are encouraged to challenge themselves, by trying to work in an independent way. Challenge activities and extension tasks are available in all units. Students are given individual feedback to stretch and improve their work further.
How we support our students
Students are always given clear instructions and success criteria to work to. Advice is given verbally to students throughout lessons and they are encouraged to ask questions, including how they can improve their work further. Students are also given lots of individual advice and feedback, they can also come at lunchtimes for extra support. Students are able to ask questions via the school email system if they are ever unsure. All students can access arranged intervention afterschool and/or at break and lunches.
How we deliver literacy and numeracy
For every topic students do there are clear literacy links to keywords to increase their vocabulary. All students complete research homework. Students are also encouraged to write their own opinions in response to work and giving reasons. All written worked is checked for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Many aspects of ICT and Business studies involve numeracy particularly spreadsheets.
Homework and Extra Curricular
In Key Stage 3 homework will be set to consolidate learning within the classroom and to encourage students to research and prepare for forthcoming units of work.
In Key Stage 4 students will be expected to extend their knowledge of theory within the option GCSE pathway that they have chosen. Due to controlled assessment regulations, where all work is undertaken within the class room, homework for this part of the course is restricted to designs, research and recapping of key skills.
The Room 21 ICT suite is available on particular lunchtimes for students who wish to further progress within the subject and who may require additional support. Guidance is also available on an after school basis where students can arrange appropriate timings with teachers to suit their needs.
Exams
Functional Skills is an AQA qualification examined in a 2 hour test on the computer that assesses the pupils’ abilities in word processing, spreadsheets, email and databases.
GCSE ICT is an Edexcel qualification. The assessment for ICT is split into two units.
- Unit 1: Written Exam Paper = 40% of the total grade
- Unit 2: Controlled Assessment = 60% of the total grade
- The written paper involves sitting one paper for 1 ½ hours. The paper is single tier and will consist of a variety of questions including multiple choice, short answer, open response and extended writing. The controlled assessment involves completing a task within controlled classroom conditions.
Business studies is an AQA qualification that comprises two 1 hour exams taken in the Summer.
How parents can support their children
Encourage them to complete their homework. There are many websites that we recommend:
www.memrise.co.uk for learning keyterms
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/levels/z98jmp3
Staff:
Mrs C Blundell
Mrs C Chalmers
Mr K Collins
