ICT

Developing Moral Capital

In ICT we develop the Moral Capital across all key stages. At KS3 students study an E-Safety Unit- Looking at safe and respectful use of online communication and technology + Cyberbullying/Grooming. Image selection and Image Manipulation Unit that gets students to learn about legislation including copyright Legislation. They also study a Photoshop Unit and Advanced Image Editing unit both looking at the selection of images in accordance with Copyright Legislation. At KS4, students will undertake Component 3 - Digital Effective Working Processes, where they sit an exam looking at effective moral working practices. KS5 includes a unit called Information Technology Systems, which allows students to investigate different legislation related to ICT systems. Throughout lessons, we look to encourage students to think about technology and their moral implications.

Developing Social Capital

At KS3 students study a Spreadsheet Analysis and Dashboard Unit - where they will get to create surveys to generate data and present their results. There is also an Advanced Data Analysis Unit, where students get to add data to a dashboard and present their results, working on their communication skills. 

For KS4, there is a Component 3 - Digital Effective Working Processes unit. For this exam students will get to develop both their written and verbal communication.

Lastly, at KS5, there are two units with aspects of specific social interaction. Within the Social Media Unit, students will have to work collaboratively in small groups to create a social media campaign and for the Website Production Unit, students will work following a brief for a client, and will need to communicate effectively and professionally with their client. 

We look to nurture positive and appropriate social interactions in the classroom; be it during group work or discussions that involve listening to other people's opinions.

Developing Cultural Capital

In ICT we develop the Cultural Capital across all key stages via catch up and revision after school clubs to extend students’ learning. 

There is a trip to Colchester Zoo in KS5 allowing students to apply their learning outside the classroom by creating a website for a real life scenario. 

Due to the nature of electronic work, students can access work from any internet-enabled device.

Developing Knowledge Capital

In ICT lessons we develop the Knowledge Capital across the students journey with us.

At KS3, ICT is a core subject and students will cover different units, covering a range of different skills and knowledge. Students will look at Computer Science units and learn about how to program Micro:bits, get an introduction to Python coding, computer hardware components and home networking. They will get to learn about algorithms, pseudocode, flowcharts and computational thinking. 

Students will cover ICT and Media topics such as Advanced image editing, data analysis, video editing, Interface design and animation. If they pick a KS4 ICT option, students will gain knowledge through a range of teaching strategies, covering Interfaces, dashboards and digital working practices. 

If a Sixth Form ICT option is followed, students will investigate website and database design, and social media in business. They will also learn more about ICT in systems in the real world and the social and moral issues that come with this. Knowledge is tested and assessed every lesson, and students’ progress is recorded on class trackers.

Developing Community Capital

At KS3, within the E-Safety Unit, students look at Safe and respectful use of online communication. They look at and discuss Radicalisation and the impacts of misusing social media. When students study the Computer Hardware Unit they will consider security implications and legislation, networking and data storage. If they choose ICT in KS4, they would study Component 3 - Digital Effective Working Processes, in which students will build on knowledge learnt in KS3 and further understand the world of technology around them and its uses for personal and organisation use.  For KS5, students will cover two different exam units that will teach and build on knowledge about effective database management and the use of IT systems in the real world, giving them a great base of ICT knowledge to set them up for many different career paths. 

We look to nurture classroom communities by using classroom gurus and undertaking peer assessment wherever appropriate. 

ICT at KS3 is an opportunity for students to develop their skills in Information Technology. Units of study have been created to help students build skills in Graphics design, Programming, Web design, Video Editing, Report Writing and Core Office Applications. Students in year 7 will also study a unit specifically designed to teach about e-safety and how to avoid dangers of the online world.

Year 7 Units of study:

E-safety, Scratch Programming, Spreadsheet analysis, Data and Data Representation, Graphics and Publications.

Year 8 Units of Study:

Microbit programming, Computing hardware and processing, Adobe Premier Video Editing (PSHE linked – Anti bullying).

Year 9 Units of Study:

Networks and System Software, Photoshop, Python Programming, Mircobit Python, App Design and Programming, Website Design.

BTEC First Award in Information and Creative Technology

ICT at KS4 is 50% coursework, and 50% exam

4 units completed over 2 years

Unit 1 The Online World External 

Unit 2 Technology Systems External 

Unit 3 A Digital Portfolio Internal

Unit 4 Creating Digital Graphics Internal 

BTEC ICT

Unit 1—Information Technology Systems: Learners study the role of computer systems and the implications of their use in personal and professional situations. This unit is externally assessed through a two hour written examination.

Unit 2—Creating Systems to Manage Information: Learners study the design, creation, testing and evaluation of a relational database system to manage information. This unit is externally assessed through a task completed under supervised conditions for 10 hours in a one—week period. 

Unit 3—Using Social Media in Business: Learners explore how businesses use social media to promote their products and services. Learners also implement social media activities in a business to meet requirements. This unit is internally assessed through project based coursework. 

Unit 6—Website Development: Learners investigate website development principles. They will design and develop a website using scripting languages. This unit is internally assessed through project based coursework.

Throughout the course students work will be assessed by the quality of their coursework. The work will be graded as Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction *. Each grade carries a certain amount of points and throughout the course these will be accumulated. There are four units of work. Currently 40% of the course is made up of coursework. The remaining 60% is made up of an exam and controlled assessment.

Cisco Networking Academy

Cybersecurity Essentials

What you learn: Gain essential knowledge for all cybersecurity domains including information systems, network security, ethics & laws, and defence & mitigation techniques used in protecting business.

Why it’s important: As more devices connect to the Internet, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to grow.

Networking Essentials

What you learn: Design and build a Small-Office or Home-Office (SoHo), developing skills required for entry-level networking jobs.

Why it’s important: Understanding the principles of networking and establishing basic networking skills is the key to all IT careers, workshops and events that link your chosen or main art form, and research an issue surroundings your interest in the arts. 

This course is assessed via Cisco’s online portal, using online tests.  You will get a certificate of completion when you complete the course.