Business & Computing
Business & Computing Department Staff
For more information about the Subject curriculum, please contact: Mr S Mort the Curriculum Leader.
- Mr S Mort – Curriculum Leader
- Miss D Lockhart
- Mrs K Townsend
- Mr D Blackburn
- Mr M Daniels
- Miss A Kirby
Computers
- There are three ICT suites in Business & Computing as well as suites in Geography, Science, Technology and the Learning Resource Centre
- Over 400 computers in school connected via a Windows network
- Computer rooms within the Business & Computing Department are open during lunchtime (1.30pm to 2.00pm) and after school for student use – a timetable is displayed on the doors of rooms 33, 35 and 37
- A pass must be obtained from Mr Mort at break time to use the computer rooms at lunchtime
Lessons
- In Years 7, 8 and 9, students will follow the Key Stage 3 Curriculum
- In Year 7, students will be taught Core ICT skills in Desktop Publishing, Word Processing, Presentation skills, File Management, Email and Internet research and Computational Thinking
- Each class receives three lessons of Computing over a two week period
- In Years 10 and 11, students can opt for extra specialist courses:-
- GCSE Business
- GCSE Computer Science
- There is always 1 computer per student
- There is a wide range of ICT used across the Curriculum – in all subjects
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
During Key Stage 3, students will develop their logical thinking skills and embed the programming constructs (sequencing, selection and iteration). The programming constructs are part of the thread which runs through Key Stage 3. They will become confident users of ICT and will develop their problem solving skills through the use of abstraction and decomposition.
They will follow the learning pathways with targets of Foundation, Secure and Extending and they will become confident users of technology by utilising ICT both ethically and responsibly and will attain a high level of digital literacy by the end of the key stage.
Knowledge and skills learned during Key Stage 3 will be planned and sequenced to build on prior learning, both at Key Stage 2 and during Key Stage 3. The expectation is that students will have built up enough core knowledge, skills and experience to ensure they are prepared for Key Stage 4 and beyond, ensuring that they have gained skills to support them in their working and personal life within a digital world.
At Key Stage 4 students have the option of choosing a GCSE in Computer Science or Business. If they do not follow that pathway, it is envisaged that the skills and knowledge gained at Key Stage 3 will provide a good base of knowledge and understanding for beyond Key Stage 4, be it at college, sixth form, an apprenticeship or employment.
Year Topic |
7 |
8 |
9 |
1 |
Orientation Learn how to navigate the school network and basic ICT skills |
Computers & Networks Learn how computers process instructions and data |
Python Programming Learn how to code using a text based language |
2 |
Online Safety Learn how to become a Digital Citizen |
Spreadsheets Learn how to use a spreadsheet for calculations |
Introduction to Business Learn the basic fundamentals of a |
3 |
Databases Learn how to use a database to search for information |
Flowol Learn how to design a sequence of events for |
Websites Learn how to create a website |
4 |
Scratch Learn how to program using a visual language
|
Databases Learn how databases are created and how they are used for big data |
Computer Crime & Cyber Security Learn how to protect yourself online and gain an awareness of cybercrime |
5 |
Modelling Learn how computers are used for simulating real world events |
App Development Learn how to create an app for a smartphone
|
Graphics Learn how to create images using graphic design software
|
6 |
Core Skills Learn how to use MS Office applications and the skills necessary for your future career |
Small Basic Learn how to code using a text based language |
Networks Learn how computers can be connected and how |
7 |
Micro:bits Learn how to solve |
Online Safety Learn how to create a positive online identity |
Key Stage 4
GCSE Business
Students are studying the Edexcel (2017) specification and the course covers the following topics:
Theme 1 |
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship |
Spotting a Business Opportunity |
Putting a Business Idea into Practice |
Making the Business Effective |
Understanding External Influences on Business |
Theme 2: |
Growing the Business
|
Making Marketing Decisions |
Making Operational Decisions |
Making Financial Decisions |
Making Marketing Decisions |
Assessment is by examination in Year 11
- Paper 1: Investigating Small Business (1.5 hours) (50%)
- Paper 2: Building a Business (1.5 hours) (50%)
GCSE Computer Science
Students are studying the AQA (2020) Specification and the course covers the following topics:
Fundamentals of Algorithms
|
Programming |
Fundamentals of Data Representation |
Computer Systems |
Fundamentals of Computer Networks |
Fundamentals of Cyber Security |
Relational Databases and structured query language (SQL) |
Ethical, Legal and Environmental Impacts of Digital Technology on Wider Society including Issues of Privacy
|
Assessment is by examination in Year 11
- Paper 1: Computational Thinking and Programming Skills – Written Exam (2 hours) (50%)
- Paper 2: Computing Concepts – Written Exam (1 hour 45 mins) (50%)
- AQA GCSE Computer Science is a nationally recognised qualification that is supported by Microsoft
Software
Free Internet access for all students via broadband. Secure filtering measures are in place to prevent access to any unsuitable material.
Microsoft Office 2019 (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Word) are the main programs.
Students also have their own school email accounts using Office 365.
Further Information
AQA -https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/gcse/computer-science-8525
Edexcel - https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/business-2017.html
Progression Pathways - https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/media/Documents/ICT/Progression_Pathways_by_CS__IT_and_DL.pdf
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