Head of Department
Mr C Francis
Teaching Staff
Mr C Francis
Ms H Crow
Department Information
The department is well resourced by having three dedicated computer suites, each with 30 computers. Computing is seen as a key subject to study both at Key Stage 3, Where you get two lessons per two week cycle and Key Stage 4 where you can specialise into to one of two strands of Computer Science and/or Creative iMedia. In each, students are allocated 5 lessons per 2-week cycle.
KS3 Overview
Following a redesign of the Key stage 3 curriculum it now offers a clear path progression towards a better understanding for students to enable them to take Computer Science at GCSE.
Topics covered include Scratch visual programming, a transition from Scratch 2 to Python, Cyber security, life in a digital world, how data is represented and how we moved from semaphore to the mobile phone.
In addition we also look at graphics and graphic manipulation to help students follow an alternative GCSE path.
KS4 Overview
We are now pleased to be able to offer two GCSE courses run by the Computing department.
Computer Science which is a two paper exam based qualification covering computing hardware, programming theory and programming practice
Creative iMedia looks at digital media, multimedia products and game design. This course is a combination of one exam unit and 3 coursework units
Exam Board Specification
Enrichment Opportunities
Department runs an after school Computing Robotics and Programming Club that is split by Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 on separate nights after school from 3:30 to 4:30. This allows a greater focus for the students to follow their chosen path of interest.
In that time students can explore either interests independently or with others. They can also increase their programming skills in robotics, including cars, other vehicles and data inputs as well as having fun while doing so.
The Club is well run in one of the computer suites and is resourced with robotic kit, BBC Micro bits and Raspberry Pi’s.