Purpose of the year

• To ensure sensible and safe use of ICT at school and at home.
• To introduce pupils to basic programming paradigms and structures.
• To expand exposure to a range of software tools to carry out themed tasks and assessments.

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

What students will learn

Online Safety & Cyber Attacks:

An overview of a range of e-safety topics as well as awareness of specific cyber-attacks.

Spreadsheets:

An overview of the essential aspects of spreadsheets building foundations for what would be expected at KS4.

Introduction to Programming:

An introduction to key programming concepts and structures.

Research & Presentation

Opportunity to research, collaborate and develop a presentation on a given Computer Science Icon.

Key assessments

Phishing, Pharming and Ransomware:

Informational material produced to inform other pupils of these hazards – outlining aspects of good practice.

Spreadsheet Task & EOT Test: Contextual task incorporating what has been learned accompanied by a Summative test.

Game Creation:

Creation of a game using SCRATCH, opportunity for development and enhancement.

Presentation of Findings:

Opportunity to present their findings to the class using a range of media and presentation techniques.

Communicating Information

Use of Presentation tools and multimedia to present findings from a researched topic.

DCF Assessment

Task assessed against outlined DCF, AFL feedback given, AOL outcome gauged.

Key vocabulary:

16 essential words for students to be able to spell, explain and use

• E-Safety
• Phishing
• Pharming
• Ransomware
• Bitcoin
• Malware
• Virus
• Encryption
• Excel
• Cell
• Formula(e)
• Function
• Cell reference
• Chart
• Sheet
• Absolute

• Syntax
• Python
• Scratch
• Logic
• Flow Control
• Variable
• Output
• Debug
• Multimedia
• Information
• Pronunciation
• Research
• Synthesis
• Comprehension
• Implementation
• Observation

• Collaboration
• Research
• Presentation
• Software
• Transition
• Animation
• Master Page
• Transparency
• Feedback
• Observation
• Constructive
• Improvement
• Advice
• Expression
• Engagement
• Interest

Skills

Literacy & Numeracy

• Use of informative and persuasive text types.
• Proof reading and use of visual verification.
• Statistics.
• Formulae.
• Creation of charts.
• PISA style questioning.
• Various DCF components.

Literacy & Numeracy

• Use of instructional text types.
• Angles.
• Scale.
• Evaluation using sentence starters.
• Application use.
• Logical analysis of problems.
• Various DCF components.

Literacy & Numeracy

• Oracy and listening skills developed.
• Statistics.
• Collaboration
• Various DCF components.

Additional Resources

There are a range of additional resources used within the department that can be accessed outside of school in order assist in continued development of topics and understanding outside of the classroom. These resources are ever changing however a range of consistently used resources are listed below:

• Khan Academy
• Code Combat
• Teach ICT
• Lightbot
• Robozzle
• Office 365 (Access to resources/work/software)
• Quizizz
• Kahoot
• GSuite
• YouTube

How parents can help

• Promote the practice of a range of software at home where possible.
• Discuss what has been learnt in lessons to condense understanding at home.

Extra-curricular opportunities & visits

• Digital Leader Opportunities.
• After school ICT club.
• Further information provided where opportunity arises.

Homework expectations

Homework will be given out at appropriate times throughout each term in order to maximise effectiveness of purpose of homework.

 Purpose of the year

• To build on pupils understanding of their online presence and actions.
• To develop programming skills.
• To develop skills necessary for KS4 topics.

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

What students will learn

Fake News and Social Media:

Awareness of the reliability and purpose of a range of media products. Impacts of social media and online presence.

Databases:

An overview of the essential aspects of databases building foundations for what would be expected at KS4.

Graphics Editing:

Use of Photoshop to create and edit images for a contextual purpose. Awareness of licensing and rights associated to various media.

Communicating Information:

Use of Presentation tools and multimedia to present findings from a researched topic.

Python Programming

Introduction to programming using the Python programming language.

Key assessments

Fake news article:

A structured fake news article on a topic of choice. Demonstrate effective and comprehensive written communication skills.

Database Task & EOT Test: Contextual task incorporating what has been learned accompanied by a Summative test.

Magazine Cover:

Creation of a magazine cover using Photoshop, opportunity for development and enhancement.

Presentation of Findings:

Opportunity to present their findings to the class using a range of media and presentation techniques.

Coding Assessed Task

Assessment scenario based on concepts covered and practiced.

Key vocabulary:

16 essential words for students to be able to spell, explain and use

• E-Safety
• Trolling
• Catfishing
• Media
• Publication
• Organisation
• Advertising
• Reliability
• Access
• File
• Record
• Field
• Fieldname
• Primary Key
• Query
• Report

• Photoshop
• Content Aware
• Lasso
• Pixel
• Dimension
• Transparent
• Filter
• Hue
• Multimedia
• Information
• Pronunciation
• Research
• Synthesis
• Comprehension
• Implementation
• Observation

• Collaboration
• Research
• Presentation
• Software
• Transition
• Animation
• Master Page
• Transparency
• Python
• Loops
• Variables
• Construct
• Debug
• IDLE
• Syntax
• Indentation

Skills

Literacy & Numeracy

• Use of informative and persuasive text types.
• Proof reading and use of visual verification.
• Statistics.
• Use of currency, real, int text types.
• Use of a range check.
• Effective use of data.
• Various DCF components.

Literacy & Numeracy

• Necessity to comprehend consequences related to licensing of digital media.
• Development of Aye catching, interesting article ideas.
• Statistics.
• Manipulation of imagery.
• Software use.
• Various DCF components.

Literacy & Numeracy

• Ability to write and appreciate syntactically correct text.
• Oracy and listening skills developed.
• Statistics.
• Programming Techniques.
• Various DCF components.

Additional Resources

There are a range of additional resources used within the department that can be accessed outside of school in order assist in continued development of topics and understanding outside of the classroom. These resources are ever changing however a range of consistently used resources are listed below:

• Khan Academy
• Code Combat
• Teach ICT
• Lightbot
• Robozzle
• Office 365 (Access to resources / work / software)
• Quizizz
• Kahoot
• GSuite
• YouTube
• CEOP
• Thinkuknow

How parents can help 

• Promote the practice of a range of software at home where possible.
• Discuss what has been learnt in lessons to condense understanding at home.

Extra-curricular opportunities & visits 

• Digital Leader Opportunities.
• After school ICT club.
• Further information provided where opportunity arises.

Homework expectations 

Homework will be given out at appropriate times throughout each term in order to maximise effectiveness of purpose of homework.

• Become independent and discerning users of ICT, able to make informed decisions about its use and aware of its implications. for individuals, organisations and society.
• Acquire and apply creative and technical skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT in a range of contexts.
• Develop ICT-based solutions to solve problems.  
• Develop their understanding of current and emerging technologies and their social and commercial impact.  
• Develop their understanding of the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental issues raised by ICT.  
• Recognise potential risks when using ICT, and develop safe, secure and responsible practice.  
• Develop the skills to work collaboratively
• evaluate ICT-based solutions.

Unit 1:  Understanding ICT

Unit 2:  Solving Problems with ICT

Unit 3:  ICT in Organisations

Unit 4:  Developing Multimedia ICT Solutions

What students will learn

This examination paper will assess the requirements of the Key Stage 4 Programme of Study for Information and Communication Technology and the functional elements of ICT in a home and school context.

This controlled assessment consists of a portfolio of work which shows candidates' attainment in obtaining and interpreting different types of information; using, developing and communicating information to meet the purpose of their studies and presenting the results of their work. This assignment will assess the practical aspects of the functional elements of ICT.

This examination paper will assess the 'application' content of ICT in a business and industry context. 

This controlled assessment will give candidates the opportunity to develop a piece of work using multimedia software following a single task brief issued by WJEC.

Key assessments

• Written examination: 1 hour ½ hours.
• 20% of qualification.

• Controlled Assessment:  22½ hours.
• 30% of qualification.

• External Assessment:  1½ hours.
• 20% of qualification.

• Controlled Assessment:  22½ hours.
• 30% of qualification.

Key vocabulary:

Essential words for students to be able to spell, explain and use

• Entertainment
• Validation
• Data
• Communication
• Security
• Spreadsheets
• Databases
• Systems

• Problem
• Modelling
• Organisation
• Email
• URL
• Evaluation
• Improvement
• Survey

• Control
• Software
• Multimedia
• Interactive
• Digital
• Animation
• Sound
• Networks

• Research
• Design
• Navigation
• Graphics
• Effectiveness
• Project
• Enhancement
• Effects

Skills

Literacy & Numeracy

• Use of a range of text types.
• Opportunity for extended writing practice during control tasks and examinations.
• Creation of charts.
• Application of knowledge to a range of problems and scenarios – improving comprehension.
• Use of a range of numerical data types and measures.
• PISA questions.
• Broad range of skills developed across a range of topic and software areas.
• Time management.
• Practical approaches to examination preparation.

Additional Resources

There are a range of additional resources used within the department that can be accessed outside of school in order assist in continued development of topics and understanding outside of the classroom. These resources are ever changing however a range of consistently used resources are listed below:

• ICT Works
• Teach ICT
• YouTube
• GCSE Bitesize
• GCSE Pod

How parents can help

• Promote the practice of the use of software used in lessons at home where possible.
• Assist in time management of pupils and awareness of importance of this in relation to control work and examinations.
• Ensure pupils actively seek to improve knowledge on topics covered especially where understanding or prior coverage is limited.
• Encourage your child to discuss concepts covered with you in order to explain understanding within a different context.

Extra-curricular opportunities & visits

• Digital Leader Opportunities.
• After school ICT club.
• Further information provided where opportunity arises.

Homework expectations

• Homework will be given out at appropriate times throughout each term in order to maximise effectiveness of purpose of homework.
• Please maintain supervision of planner in order to monitor homework deadlines throughout the academic year.
• Expectation throughout course that topics covered are revised in a timely manner at home.