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 A Kirby
- Miss D Lockhart
- Mrs K Townsend
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 2.10pm) 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
- 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). 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 business enterprise |
3 |
Databases Learn how to use a database to search for information |
Flowol Learn how to design a sequence of events for a given problem |
App Development Learn how to create an app for a smartphone |
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 |
Small Basic Learn how to code using a text based language
|
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 |
Websites Learn how to create a website |
Networks Learn how computers can be connected and how the internet works |
7 |
Micro:bits Learn how to solve logic problems and create programs |
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 Human Resource 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
Current Year 10 students follow the new AQA (2020) 8525 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 (1.5 hours) (50%)
- AQA GCSE Computer Science is a nationally recognised qualification that is supported by Microsoft
Current Year 11 students follow the AQA (2016) 8520 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 |
Ethical, Legal and Environmental Impacts of Digital Technology on Wider Society including Issues of Privacy |
Aspects of Software Development |
Assessment is by examination in Year 11
- Paper 1: Computational Thinking and Problem Solving – Written Exam (1.5 hours) (50%)
- Paper 2: Written Assessment – Written Exam (1.5 hours) (50%)
- Programming Project (20 hours home study)
- 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.
Related News
Get IT Boot Camp Event
On Wednesday 6th November, Mr Mort and Mrs Townsend took a group of Year 8 students to MediaCity in Salford to the Get IT Boot Camp event organised by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
DigiGirlz Trip to Microsoft UK
On Monday 20th May, Mr Mort and Miss Lockhart took the train to London to visit Microsoft’s Paddington offices with eight Year 8 girls for an event called DigiGirlz. The event is aimed at girls to inspire them to pursue their dream with STEM.
Balshaw’s 'Business and Computing' News
Balshaw's invited to compete in the next stages of the 'Oxford Computing Challenge'.