Pupils are taught to use technology responsibly and safely whilst providing them with opportunities to be digital designers and creators linked real world scenarios.
At KS4, whatever subject is studied, we want our students to be inspired and enthused in a subject we are passionate about, to give them the best chance of progression to KS5 and a better understanding of the world around them.
There is a strong emphasis on the pupils using different programming languages to produce their own outcomes, this we believe allows pupils to become fully autonomous with their learning and provides a clear opportunity for creative freedom. Studying this prepares the pupils with the knowledge and skills that they will need for study in KS4.
Head of Faculty
Ms N. Downey (ndowney@levenshulmehigh.co.uk)
Subjects
- KS3 – Computing
- KS4 – Computer Science GCSE
- KS4 – Business Studies GCSE
- KS4 – Information Technology – Cambridge National
- KS4 – Digital Functional Skills
- KS4 – Enterprise and Marketing – Cambridge National
Curriculum Overview
Year 10 and 11: GCSE Courses
3 periods per week.
Options offered at the end of Year 9:
- GCSE Computer Science (OCR)
- GCSE Business Studies (OCR)
- Cambridge National Information Technology (OCR)
- Cambridge National Enterprise and Marketing (OCR)
- Digital Functional Skills – Pearsons
Year 7
1 period per week.
1 period of Computing including; Working electronically – this is an introduction to the use of computing systems, Modelling using Excel and Scratch game programming.
Year 8
1 period per week.
1 period of Computing building on the knowledge from Year 7. Students study; Computational thinking, Python programming, HCI and UX design, Image creation, Internet and Computing fundamentals.
Year 9
1 period per week.
1 period of Computing. Students will study; Cyber Security, Enterprise, Visual Basic, Networking and digital skills.
Topics Covered
Year 7
In Year 7 students are introduced to LHS computer systems and digital safety, how to work electronically – this includes the use of email and online platforms, Spreadsheet modelling where pupils will design, make and test their own system and pupils will have the opportunity to program their own game using Scratch.
Year 8
The Year 8 curriculum builds on the skills from Year 7. Students study; Computational thinking which allows them to use digital techniques to solve problems, this links into a coding unit where pupils will solve problems using Python. Pupils will then focus on the importance of User Experience when creating software and systems and they will be able to design their own system. Skills from this will be used in the image creation unit where a publication will be designed and created. Pupils will study how the internet works and relate this to real life scenarios which will support the final unit of Computing fundamentals where the internal and external workings of a computer system are analysed.
Year 9
Students begin to develop skills to help with GCSE subjects and will study; Cyber security, this unit will teach students the technicality of how data is sent and how data can be made secure. This will support their personal online use. Pupils will also study an enterprise unit where they will design their own product and using business strategies to plan for this. This unit gives pupils a taste of studying Business at KS4. The final coding unit using the Visual Basic platform is taught, this allows users to design their own piece of software using objects as well as code so the program can be viewed from a HCI aspect. The final unit in year is focused on the teaching of digital skills that will support their own personal use of technology. These lessons include; creating CVS, writing reports, searching the internet for appropriate material (e.g. Academic papers) and how to create appropriate documents using Office. This will support their study across all subject areas.
Options Offered at the End of Year 9
-
GCSE Computer Science
Exam Board: OCR
No. of Controlled Assessments: 1 (not weighted)
No. of exams: 2 Exams (100%)Units studied in Year 10:
- Computer systems – System architecture, memory, storage, wired and wireless networks, system security, system software
- Python programming
Units studied in Year 11:
- Computational thinking – Algorithms, computational logic, Data representation
- Advanced python programming
-
Enterprise and Marketing Level 2 Certificate – Cambridge National
Exam Board: OCR
No. of Controlled Assessments: – 2 (60%)
No. of exams: – 1 Exams (40%)- Enterprise and marketing concepts
- Design a business proposal
- Market and pitch a business proposal
-
Business Studies GCSE (9-1)
Exam Board: OCR
No. of exams: 2 Exams (50% each)Units Studied:
- Business 1: business activity, marketing and people (01)
- Business 2: operations, finance and influences on business
-
Information Technology Level 2 Certificate – Cambridge National
Exam Board: OCR
No. of Controlled Assessments: – 2 (60%)
No. of exams: – 1 Exams (40%)- IT in the digital world – Exam
- Data manipulation using spreadsheets – Controlled Assessment
- Using augmented reality to present information – Controlled Assessment
-
Digital Functional Skills ICT
Internally assessed.
- ICT in an everyday environment
- ICT to plan and organise work
- Work with files and folders
- Adjust computer setting for a purpose
- Microsoft Office to create documents
