Year 9 Options Course Information Video
Course Description
Brand new to the Academy for the 2021-22 school year is our Core Computing scheme of learning for KS3. All KS3 students will have an hour a week of Computing, where they’ll delve into the world of Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Enterprise and Creative Media.
If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the sheer importance of technology and global communication. What’s more, recent research by one of the UK’s biggest job search sites found that over 95% of job adverts have at least some mention of IT skills or abilities as a required or desired skill. We want all of our students to be fully prepared for the digital world that they face, feeling confident and assured in their own computing abilities.
KS3 Core Computing
Year 7
The key aims of our Computing Curriculum in Year 7 is:
- To embed key e-safety expectations and protect our students from the potential harm of the internet and technology.
- To set students up for success if they choose to continue their studies in the field of computing further up the school.
- To ensure students are not held back by their IT abilities when studying other subjects in school.
- To develop all round IT skills and technical confidence that will help our students in and out of school.
In Year 7 students will study:
- IT Life Skills
- E-Safety
- Microsoft Office Productivity
- Ethics & Technology
- iDEA.org Certificate
- 3D Modelling
In Year 8 students will study:
- Hardware & Software
- Digital Graphics
- Data Representation
- Micro Computing – MicroBits
- Block Coding – Scratch
- Coding For Games Design
In Year 9 students will study:
- Coding constructs
- The CPU, Memory & Storage
- Business Enterprise
- Networks & Security
- System Software
- Minecraft Education
KS4 Creative iMedia
At KS4 Students can opt to continue their studies in computing and choose Creative iMedia:
Revamped for the 2022-23 school year Creative iMedia is our hands on, creative approach to the world of IT. Students who study this course will learn imperative transferrable skills for success in their other subjects, higher education, and the world of employment & business. Students will have a solid knowledge of professional software packages from Microsoft, Adobe, Sony and more, on top of a huge variety of general computer skills that will set them apart from competing applicants.
Students will study 2 units of coursework (worth 30% each) and the content for 1 exam (Making up the final 40%).
Unit 1 – Create a Visual Identity
In this unit, students will learn how to create professional quality digital graphics. Working to a brief, students will design, conceptualise, and create a piece of digital graphic artwork, utilising the latest software from Adobe including Photoshop, Fireworks, and Illustrator. In the build up to the project, students will enhance their research and report writing skills, exploring target audience influences, legislation, files & formatting and computer hardware and software.
Unit 2 – Creating Digital Games
In this unit, students will learn how to create professional quality computer games. Working to a brief, students will research, review, plan, create, and export a fully functioning 2D game. Beginning by exploring games development software such as Game Maker Studio, Blender and Unity, students will go on to develop digital assets such as characters and scenery, before compiling their creations into a working, playable computer game. In the build up to their project, students will develop further their general IT abilities, utilising Microsoft office software, conducting internet research and understanding the laws and legislation surrounding the use of IT.
Unit 3 – Exam
Students will study a range of content assessed by the exam, this includes:
- Planning and timekeeping skills
- Hardware and Software
- File types, formatting, and compression
- IT related health and safety
- Legislation
- Pre-production skills
- General IT skills and functions