Computing

In Year 7 we introduce students to the wide range of study encompassed in the Computing/ICT spectrum. Students will experience the different skills required to become discerning users of ICT but also be able to create solutions to given problems, whether computational or creative.

E-Safety

Students will learn about potential hazards of operating online and how to remain safe in a digital environment.

Students will learn:

• Spotting ‘Fake’ news
• Social media influencers
• Online Challenges
• Data harvesting
• Live streaming
• Online emotions and mob mentality
• Different types of grooming

Programming – Kodu Game Lab

As an introduction to programming and computational thinking, students will use Kodu game lab to create a variety of games and programs

Students will learn:

• Variables
• Loops
• If statements
• objects

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are an integral part of the working world and it is important that students understand what they are and how they used, and the benefits they can have. This will have a cross curricular theme with Geography.

Students will learn:

• Formula – Basic
• Conditional formatting
• Functions Basic
• Formulas advanced
• Functions – Advanced
• Functions Advanced
• Graphs and Charts

Graphics

Students will have the opportunity to develop their creative side focusing on graphics software, learning the various tools and how they can be used singularly or in conjunction to create digital products

Students will learn:

• Canvas + Background
• Importing and scaleing images
• Magic wand
• Lasso
• Text
• Effects
• Textures
• Blend Options
• Pen Tool
• Opacity

Additional Information

In the Computing/ICT department we encourage students to actively pursue and engage with technology in all areas of life, both in and out of school. There are lots of activities, competitions that students can become involved in which will enhance their skills, computational thinking and appreciation of the ubiquitous nature of technology in today’s world. Below are some helpful links for activities to try, but remember anything will develop skills and confidence!

• National Cyber Security Challenge – https://www.cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk/
• Create games – https://unity.com/ or https://editor.construct.net/
• Learn to code https://www.codecademy.com/

These are just a few, but there are countless tutorials, videos and communities surrounding all aspects of computing from Photoshop to game development. Whatever you’re interested in there will be something for you!

After developing basic skills in programming, creative technologies and social technologies, students will build on and enhance these skills, undertaking more complex tasks which require a greater degree of computational thinking. Previous skills from year 7 will be developed and applied into an array of contexts to give the skills meaning and a direct link to the “real world”.

Programming – Microbit

Students will build on programming techniques introduced in year 7 and uses these concepts to create a series of solutions for a Microbit computer. The focus will be on using the programming techniques to devise solutions and develop computational thinking.

Students will learn:

• Basic Outputs
• Basic Inputs
• Variables
• If, Else
• While
• Advanced inputs

Databases

Learning will focus on the importance of databases as a useful tool and one of the fundamental building blocks of computing.

Students will learn:

• What is a database
• Design and creation
• Population
• Queries
• Forms
• Reports

Animation

In this unit of work students will learn about the different kind of animation techniques that can be used and combine this with previous learning on graphics in order to produce a series of animated shorts.

Students will learn:

• Stop frame animation
• Key Frame animation

Graphics

Continuing the creative computing skills, Students will develop graphical skills to a high level, looking at how image manipulation can result in a high level of product.

Students will learn:

• Gradients
• Magic Wand
• Polygon Lasso
• Smudge & General Refining
• Titles and detail
• Dodge & Burn + Effects

Additional Information

In the Computing/ICT department we encourage students to actively pursue and engage with technology in all areas of life, both in and out of school. There are lots of activities, competitions that students can become involved in which will enhance their skills, computational thinking and appreciation of the ubiquitous nature of technology in today’s world. Below are some helpful links for activities to try, but remember anything will develop skills and confidence!

• National Cyber Security Challenge – https://www.cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk/
• Create games – https://unity.com/ or https://editor.construct.net/
• Learn to code https://www.codecademy.com/

These are just a few, but there are countless tutorials, videos and communities surrounding all aspects of computing from Photoshop to game development. Whatever you’re interested in there will be something for you!

In Year 9 students continue to develop the skills learned in year 7 and 8, honing previous skills and developing more advanced techniques. There is a greater focus on the contextual elements in year 9, working alongside curriculum from other areas of the school to help develop and deepen learning that takes place. Students will have the opportunity to further their understanding of some of the key concepts and skills required for a life and also be able to appreciate how ICT can be applied in a variety of scenarios.

Website Development

Students will learn about the design and creation of websites, studying the constituent components, design principles and preparation of assets. This will build on the programming and creative skills previously learned in Year 7 and 8. This will include cross curricular links with History.

Students will learn:

• HTML
• Navigation
• Sliders
• Hyperlinks
• Preparation of assets
• Design Principles
• Use of media and interactive features.

Programming – Python

Developing the computational thinking taught in year 7 and 8 students will code solutions in text based interface using python. This will include cross curricular links with maths.

Students will learn:

• Basic Commands
• Variables
• Loops
• If Statements
• While
• Functions
• GUI

Computing Theory

Students will learn:

• Binary systems
• Hex and Number systems
• Ascii
• data transfer

Multimedia – Movie editing

Students will work to produce a series of videos combining creative skills of digital graphics in year 7 and 8 and applying them to movie creation. This will have cross curricular links with MFL.

Students will learn:

• Timelines and assets
• Trimming and splicing
• Sound
• Picture in picture
• splash screens and overlays
• Layers

Game Creation – Macbeth

Using the computational thinking developed throughout KS3 will produce an MRPG game of Macbeth. This will include cross curricular links with English.

Students will study:

• Scenes and Objects
• Rules
• Interactions
• Levels
• Strategy
• Macbeth by W. Shakespeare.

Additional Information

In the Computing/ICT department we encourage students to actively pursue and engage with technology in all areas of life, both in and out of school. There are lots of activities, competitions that students can become involved in which will enhance their skills, computational thinking and appreciation of the ubiquitous nature of technology in today’s world. Below are some helpful links for activities to try, but remember anything will develop skills and confidence!

• National Cyber Security Challenge – https://www.cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk/
• Create games – https://unity.com/ or https://editor.construct.net/
• Learn to code https://www.codecademy.com/

These are just a few, but there are countless tutorials, videos and communities surrounding all aspects of computing from Photoshop to game development. Whatever you’re interested in there will be something for you!