Kingsmead School - ICT and Computer Science

ICT and Computer Science

Welcome to the Kingsmead School Computer Science and ICT Department.

We aim to enable students to develop skills and knowledge in computer science, digital literacy, information technology and media production, in order to prepare them for a future in a world where the use of this technology will be a core part of their personal and working lives. We aim to ensure that they can operate safely in an online world and can make appropriate judgements on selecting the software, sites and technology services that they will use.

Students receive 2 hours of Computing\ICT lessons per fortnight in key stage 3 (years 7 and 8). We spend time exploring a range of topics which provide students with a broad experience of both the use and understanding of technology and computers. These include:

Online safety and digital life, including moral, ethical and legal decision making
How computers, networks and the internet works
Computational thinking, algorithms, flow charting and representing data using binary
Visual and textual programming from Scratch through to Python
Digital and interactive media production
Research into future technologies and impact on society

In key stage 4 we offer two optional routes. The first is an applied ICT and Media qualification where students can explore a range of different media production methods and a chance to learn about the theories behind the ever-developing digital society that we live in. The qualification, which is largely coursework based but with examined modules, looks deeper into the pre-production of media (how it is planned) and the different forms of media that are used in the digital world. This includes video, graphics, sound and websites. The use of day-to-day and specialist software and online services is a core part of the learning.

The other route is to study computer science. This is a specialist, rigorous and academic GCSE qualification that aims to study the inner workings of computer systems and their impact on society. It also studies computational thinking, algorithm design and textual programming. There are 2 written exams for computer science which focus on both the theory and application of programming.

Further to the curriculum offering, the Computer Science and ICT team offer several extra-curricular opportunities for students to engage in, including clubs using our Lego Robotics kits, programming projects and competitions, including the government-backed Cyber Discovery competition on cyber security, and a digital leadership programme where some of our students utilise and promote the use of media across the school or assist with the training and delivery of ICT to staff and students.

Some Photos of our Recent Department Activities

A class using the Micro:Bit computers

The Micro:Bit simulator

Challenge week – preparing a Lego robot program

Challenge week – running the Lego robots

Challenge week – filming a school promo video

Lunchtime robotics club – building a robot

CyberDiscovery UK in action

Challenge week – filming a school promo video

Sequence of Learning in Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 Sequence of Learning	Year 7	Year 8
Project 1	IT induction Logging in, secure passwords Understanding Firefly Avatars Office 365 basics Using OneDrive School email and etiquette Searching the internet effectively	My digital life Ts and Cs – age restrictions on social media, personalised advertising and collection and use of ‘big’ (personal) data Understating my digital footprint Impact of digital content – memes, viral, trending, trolling Copyright and plagiarism law Hacking and GDPR law Malware
Project 2	Online safety Safe social networking Dos and don’ts of behaviour online Cyberbullying Fake news Age ratings and age appropriate content e.g. understanding PEGI	Future technology research project Research new technologies and their predicted changes in the way we live Focus on smart technology in the home, transport and one student choice from biotech, AI, the brain, entertainment or robotics Focus on no plagiarism – writing in your own words, showing your understanding, acknowledging sources of research Present using Sway as an alternative to PowerPoint
Project 3	Introduction to computers What is a computer system? Input, output, storage Hardware components, software Networks How the internet works	Data representation – Computer Science option taster project Understanding sizes – bits and bytes Binary to denary conversion and vice versa Character/text representation Extensions to go onto hexadecimal and binary addition Features and differences between vector and bitmap images
Project 4	Scratch block-based programming Introduction to algorithms Basic flow charts Programming concepts – selection, sequence, iteration, procedures Make and enhance a game using Scratch	Graphic design of a movie poster – ICT iMedia option taster project Use of Serif Affinity Designer and Photo Vector graphic movie company logo Features of a movie poster and design techniques Bitmap editing to create a movie poster for a brand-new idea
Project 5		Design a new app Apps4Good project Combines lots of skills across the 2 years Group work project to end the year Learn how to collaborate using Teams Go through a design process to identify a need, come up with an idea, prototype, design, prepare ideas, present and get scored Mind map, wireframe the app

Sequence of Learning in Key Stage 4 Computer Science

Key Stage 4 Sequence of Learning	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11
Term 1 (Sept-Oct)	Induction to Computer Science – fundamentals, recap and extension of data representation	Topic 1.4 Wired and Wireless Networks Topic 1.5 Network Topologies, protocols and Layers	Topic 2.5 Translators and Facilities of Languages Topic 2.4 Computational Logic
Term 2 (Nov-Dec)	Introduction to programming using Python and the PRIMM method	Topic 1.6 Systems Security Topic 1.7 Systems Software	Topic 2.6 Data Representation
Term 3 (Jan-Feb)	Extend programming knowledge and constructs	Topic 1.8 Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental	‘Buffer’ time and recaps on any weaker topics Revision and exam prep
Term 4 (Feb-Mar)	Topic 1.1 Systems Architecture	Topic 2.1 Algorithms Topic 2.2 Programming techniques	Revision and preparation for exams
Term 5 (Apr-May)	Topic 1.2 Memory	Topic 2.3 Producing Robust Programs	Revision and preparation for exams
Term 6 (Jun-Jul)	Topic 1.3 Secondary Storage	Programming project if required for course specification

Sequence of Learning in Key Stage 4 Cambridge Nationals iMedia

Key Stage 4 Sequence of Learning	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11
Term 1 (Sept-Oct)	GCSE ICT Taster Project activity 1	Unit R084 Comic Strip	Unit R081 Pre-Production Skills exam preparation
Term 2 (Nov-Dec)	GCSE ICT Taster Project activity 2	Unit R084 Comic Strip	Unit R081 Pre-Production Skills exam preparation
Term 3 (Jan-Feb)	Unit R082 Graphics	Unit R084 Comic Strip	Unit R085 Website Design
Term 4 (Feb-Mar)	Unit R082 Graphics	Unit R084 Comic Strip	Unit R085 Website Design
Term 5 (Apr-May)	Unit R082 Graphics	Unit R085 Website Design	‘Buffer’ time to complete any work, prep for re-entry to the R081 exam if necessary
Term 6 (Jun-Jul)	Unit R082 Graphics	Unit R085 Website Design

Top Websites

For additional learning and revision see these websites:

For both option subjects – see revision materials, past papers and resources on Firefly and Microsoft Teams
For Computer Science use https://smartrevise.online/
For Computer Science use https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z34k7ty
For Computer Science use https://www.senecalearning.com/

For more information about the key stage 4 options see:

GCSE Computer Science (qualifying up to Summer 2022):

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j276-from-2016/

GCSE Computer Science (qualifying from Summer 2023 onwards):

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j277-from-2020/

Cambridge Nationals iMedia (qualifying up to summer 2022):

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/creative-imedia-level-1-2-award-certificate-j807-j817/

Cambridge Nationals iMedia (qualifying from summer 2023 onwards):

TBA

ICT & Computer Science Overviews

These are designed to outline the progression of Computer Science and ICT based learning within each year group. They make clear the skills, understanding and knowledge within each category of our language for learning.