What we offer at KS3 (Y8 & Y9/4/5

Within the KES Computing and IT Department a KS3 syllabus has been designed to cover the three main areas of Digital Literacy, Computer Science and Information Technology. The students will be introduced to the IT skills they will need to support other subjects across the curriculum and will be introduced to programming, algorithms, some more complex elements of software packages and an understanding of computer hardware and how it works.

As technology is rapidly changing the lives of everyone. Through teaching ‘Computing’ we equip students to participate in a rapidly-changing world and develop the capability to deal with emerging technologies. It is our intention to enable students to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information recognising the attached social and ethical considerations. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for students to be able to use information in a discriminating and effective way. Computing skills are a major factor in enabling students to be confident, creative and independent learners and it is our intention that students have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this.

Qualifications at KS4 and KS5

COMPUTER SCIENCE (OCR J-227)

The GCSE Computer Science course enables candidates to understand Systems architecture; Memory and storage; Computer networks; connections and protocols; Network security; Systems Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology.

They will develop an understanding of Algorithms; Programming; Producing robust programs; Boolean logic; Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments.

Furthermore, they will develop an ability to write or refine algorithms using either the OCR Exam Reference Language or the high-level programming language they are familiar with.

Cambridge Nationals Information Technologies Level 1/2 Certificate - J808

This qualification will teach the learner what different technologies could be used, why they should use them and how to make best use of them, to gather, store, manipulate and present data; this is known as data management.

This qualification is suitable for learners who want to progress onto other related study, such as qualifications in IT, Digital Media, Computer Science.

IB Diploma in ITGS – Information Technology in a Global Society

The Diploma Program Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) course is the study and evaluation of the impact of information technology on individuals and society. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of the use of digitized information at the local and global level. ITGS provides a framework for the student to make informed judgments and decisions about the use of information technology (IT) within social contexts. The course also provides a project involving the students solving a customer’s work problem with an original IT solution.

Extra curricular activities in the I.T Department