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Computer Keyboard

BUSINESS/COMPUTING

INTENT

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As a department we endorse the school’s mission statement of ‘Inspiring minds, opening hearts, transforming lives’ in helping us to reach the goal of preparing our students to be tomorrow’s citizens, equipped and able to be successful at anytime, anywhere, any place and to become independent lifelong learners.

 

KS3 COMPUTING

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In Year 7, 8 and 9 students are taught a wide range of Computing, IT and Digital Literacy topics. All lessons follow the KS3 Computing Programme of Study. The range of topics are as follows:

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Code cracking, Networks, Python, Algorithms, Cyber security, Digital images, IT in the wider world, animation and website design 

 

KS4 BUSINESS

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In Business Studies we aim to enable every pupil to leave school with an accredited qualification. We strive to reduce the attainment gap between groups of students by making effective use of data to inform teaching and learning by constantly developing our skills as a teaching team. All staff have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of our subject and working as a team helps us to help our students to reach their full potential. Our curriculum contextualizes learning through the use of real life situations and problem solving scenarios. 

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Students following the KS4 business studies course study a variety of business studies key concepts in order to prepare themselves for working life whilst gaining an accredited qualification.

 

KS4 IT - GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND IMEDIA

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In Year 10 students have the option to choose to study a Level 2 qualification in either iMedia Cambridge Nationals or GCSE Computer Science.

 

Students studying iMedia will have the opportunity to look at how technology is used in the media industry in an ever changing world. The course combines a wide range of both practical and theoretical elements. The course includes two pieces of coursework and one terminal examination. The topics covered include the following components:

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  • Characters and comics

  • IT in the Media Industry

  • Visual imaging

 

Students studying GCSE Computer Science consists of two terminal examinations. he GCSE in Computer Science will be graded 9-1. The following topics will be taught over the two year period:

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​Computer systems, systems architecture, memory, storage, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, protocols and layers, system security, system software, ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns and computational thinking (including programming).​ 

 

POST 16

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Cambridge Technicals are vocational qualifications for students aged 16+. They are designed with the workplace in mind. They are equivalent to UK A levels and are highly valued by universities, further education colleges and employers alike.

 

CAMBRIDGE TECHNICAL BUSINESS LEVEL 3

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This course is ideal for students who have an interest in business and the way that businesses work. It will complement a variety of other subjects that are taught within the sixth form.

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Students will learn how a business might evolve. From a small start-up business to a large multinational organisation, our students will consider a range of different business types and gain an understanding of how the choice of business type might affect the objectives that are set. Students will also look at the internal workings of businesses, including their internal structure and how different functional areas work together. Plus, by looking at the external constraints under which a business must operate, your students will gain an understanding of the legal, financial and ethical factors that have an impact. Students will also explore ways in which businesses respond to changes in their economic, social and technological environment; and gain an appreciation of the influence different stakeholders can have upon a business. 

 

CAMBRIDGE TECHNICAL DIGITAL MEDIA LEVEL 3

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The Technical Certificate in Digital Media is a varied, interesting and practical course for any student who wants to study digital media concept and product development with a focus on moving image and audio media production. The course has elements of IT, Business Studies and Media.

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This course is for highly motivated students who want to gain an insight into the Media and IT sector. They will investigate the pace of technological change, which is learnt and examined through a range of theory and practical units. Many of the units are linked closely to real local businesses and this course will complement any students who are studying Business and level 3. 

 

COMPUTER SCIENCE (OCR A LEVEL)

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Computer Science is a challenging and fast-paced subject which considers the way that technology transforms our lives in an increasingly digital world. It has computational thinking at its core, which encourages us to take a complex problem and develop possible solutions using decomposition, abstraction, logical thinking, and algorithms. Computer Science is also a creative subject that involves the innovative thinking and development of ideas through coding.

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Students will learn to become a strong programmer using different programming paradigms. As part of this they will explore many of the standard algorithms used in searching, sorting and pathfinding and will be able to select the most appropriate to use based on its efficiency and suitability for the problem at hand. A diverse range of theoretical topics are covered, including how computers use logic, number systems, networks, databases and more.

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