Intent Statement

Deuteronomy 31:6

‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’

The theme relates to being courageous enough to try new things – this is important in both IT with the changing nature of technology and with Business as business involves risk taking.

Our aim is to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will prepare them for an ever-changing digital world. Our Key Stage 3 Computing curriculum focuses on a development of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. At Key Stage 4, the focus is on providing students with the opportunity to develop their learning on a path that fits each student’s needs and interests with a range of courses to provide each student with the platform for a route to the future that they desire.

It is critical that our students are firstly equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to operate safely online. That is why our focus in Year 7 is on e-safety – with all students completing the OSA certificate. Students receive a broad overview of key concepts of Computing at Key Stage 3 – as we cover all topics mapped on the National Curriculum. They will study important concepts such as Hardware, Software, Algorithms, Programming, Digital Artefacts, Binary and Logic Gates. Our Key Stage 3 curriculum has been planned in full consultation with the National Centre for Computing Education; who have given their approval of the sequencing and logic behind the order of the topics we cover.

Each student is a unique individual made in the image of God – each have their own skills, interests, and ambitions – it is therefore crucial that at Key Stage 4 students will get the opportunity to study a range of qualifications as options. Options are available to study ICT with a Creative Media course, Business with a GCSE Business Studies course and GCSE Computer Science. This broad selection is designed to allow each student to access a course that best suits his or her needs and interests and give them the platform to the future that they aspire for.

Marking Policy

Computer Science

KS3: All classwork and homework is submitted online via the OneDrive on which students have individual folders, accessible by the student and class teacher. Within this file, each student has a ‘Marking and feedback’ folder – this is where all teacher marking, self-reflection and peer assessment is recorded digitally in line with school policy. All assessments will be hard copies and kept in a separate folder. To ensure whole-school literacy is supported, as part of each assessment there will be a short spelling test on key computing terminology.

KS4:

ICT (Creative Imedia)
Controlled assessment work is tracked electronically and marked in line with exam board rules and regulations. Classwork tasks that are done in preparation for controlled assessment assignments are completed in exercise books and are then marked in line with our school policy

Business Studies
Within exercise books, this work is marked in line with the school policy. However, at times when work is completed on computers, it is printed and placed in exercise books with feedback provided through self or peer assessment resulting in clear target setting.

Computer Science
Within exercise books (used intermittently, depending on the topic) work is marked using the school policy. However, at times when work is completed on computers, it is printed and placed in exercise books with feedback provided through self or peer assessment resulting in clear target setting.

Reading List