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

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.

 

 

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