ICT, Computing and Business Studies department is a dynamic department at the cutting edge of technology.
At KS3 the subject is taught to pupils who are working in groups of similar ability, the groups are frequently assessed to allow pupils to move up or down sets. KS4 groups are for pupils who have opted for one of the subject and are taught to pupils of mixed ability.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 pupils follow a diverse curriculum which includes computing, ICT and business studies.
In year 7 pupils look at e-safety, financial modelling and basic computer games programming. They then develop these skills in year 8 with graphics skills, data handling, more advanced programming and modelling. Year 9 pupils work on line code programming, business modelling, html web design and further web design using Dreamweaver.

Key Stage 4 GCSE

At KS4 there are a number of pathways that pupils can opt for these are GCSE ICT, AiDA and/or Business Studies.

GCSE ICT

Students study the Edexcel GCSE ICT. This academic course is broken down as 60% controlled assessment and 40% formal examination. During the coursework students learn topics including advanced modelling, structured research, database design and manipulation, web design and multimedia presentation. Topics studied for the exam are updated frequently reflecting the dynamic nature of the subject. Currently these include smartphones, integrated communications, network architecture, computer architecture and associated peripherals.

CiDA

Edexcel CiDA is a skills based ICT course that allows pupils to develop their skills for real applications. The course involves 75% coursework and 25% online skills based exam. During the coursework, unit 2, creative multimedia, pupils study how to make and edit video and animations for a range of audiences. Student use a wide range of ICT skills and tool to create these products. Work is then presented as an electronic portfolio. In the examination section of the course students are given a brief to design a website, they are given 2.5 hours to create a website with appropriate images, graphics, text, animations and java applets as necessary.

Business Studies

Business Studies is an optional subject at KS4. The course is broken down into 2 exams worth 75% of the overall marks and a controlled assessment module which is worth 25%. During the course students study business communication, communication with stakeholders of a business, business communication tools, communicating via the web, spotting a business opportunity, showing enterprise, putting a business idea into practice, making the start-up effective and understanding the economic context. In the course work students analyse a specific business of their choice, looking at how it operates and evaluating its effectiveness. Business Studies is an essential subject that effectively equips students for working in the real world.

The Curriculum Team:

Mr C Blackburn (Head of Department)

Mr P Chohan

Mrs Wood-Miller (Business Studies)

Mrs M Duerden