Is this subject right for me?

If you enjoy solving problems, being creative, and figuring out how things work, then this is the course for you.

Did you engage with programming a micro:bit to say “ABBA” or coding the Crumble controller to perform different tasks? Maybe you loved working with Photoshop and Gimp to create and edit graphics or learning HTML to produce your own website pages? Are you curious about how apps, games and AI tools are developed?

So, if you want to learn more about the constantly evolving digital world upon which the planet is increasingly reliant, then the combined Computing and Digital Media option in Year 9 is a great place to start.

What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?

There is no expectation that you are going to start out as an accomplished coder or an amazing digital designer, but you should have an interest in learning about how programs are designed, written and tested as well as finding out more about how computers work and how you can use different software and hardware to produce a variety of media.

You don’t need to be a “tech expert” – just someone who enjoys a challenge, wants to learn new skills and would like to have a hand in shaping the future rather than just watching it happen.

What will I learn?

One of the main areas that you will develop is problem-solving which is consistently cited by employers as one of their top desired skills. You will learn how to create solutions to problems, whether it is writing computer programs to implement these solutions or using different tools to create the effect you want. By understanding processes, you will find it easier to work effectively and confidently with current digital systems and the developing area of AI.

The Computing element is designed to give a firm grounding in computing theory and an appreciation of the impact that technology can have on society and the role that AI now plays in many areas of our day-to-day lives.

Digital media topics explore how creativity and technology come together and you will continue to develop practical computing skills that help you to bring your ideas to life.

Where could it lead?

The skills you will be learning can lead to all kinds of amazing futures across a very wide range of fields: game designer, AI researcher, app developer, digital artist, cybersecurity specialist, robotics engineer, or a job that doesn’t yet exist. There are very few areas of life that computing and digital media does not affect in some way. Technology shapes the world we live in – this could be the start of how you can shape future technology.

Computing and Digital Media will equip you to choose either GCSE Computing, or the OCR iMedia qualification. A Computer Science GCSE can be used as a stepping stone to any Computing Level 3 qualification and both option will help you to develop your problem-solving and creative skills whether you choose the Arts or Sciences Post-16.

Assessment Summary

GCSE Computer Science: At the end of Year 11, there are two exam papers, Paper 1 focuses on Computer Systems and Paper 2 on Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming. Each paper lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. Although there is no official programming practical, it is a required component of the GCSE qualification for students to have opportunity to develop their coding skills across the duration of the course.

Creative iMedia Level 2: During Y10 and Y11, students complete a compulsory NEA Unit: Visual identity (50 marks) and digital graphics and a second selected NEA Unit from the specification at the time (70 marks). At the end of Y11, students also need to complete a written exam paper, Creative iMedia in the media industry (70 marks) which is 1 hour 30 minutes in duration.

Exam Board: OCR for both GCSE Computer Science and Creative iMedia Level 2