Head of Department: Mr Letus Nyati
At Hartshill Academy, Computing is taught in Year 9, with pupils progressing to the Pearson Level 1/2 BTEC Tech Award in Digital Information Technology as an option at Key Stage 4.
Computing in Year 9 is derived from the National Computing Curriculum available here and is made up of three key areas:-
Computer science
Digital Literacy and
Information Technology
Each of the above components of the curriculum is essential in preparing our pupils to thrive in an ever-changing and increasingly digital world that we live in today.
Pupils will arrive at Hartshill with different levels of knowledge and experiences of computing. Year 9 therefore provides a foundation for future qualifications and careers in Computer Science, Digital Information Technology and related technology sectors. Our intent is to provide a broad, balanced and ambitious Computing curriculum that develops pupils' knowledge, digital literacy, computational thinking and problem-solving skills. Through engaging and relevant learning experiences, pupils will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed decisions about future study, apprenticeships and careers within the digital and technological sectors
Year Subject content: Computer Science
Pupils will be taught to:
Use technology effectively, safely, respectfully and responsibly.
Understand how computer networks work and how to use them safely, effectively and responsibly while being mindful of their own safety and the security of network infrastructures
Design, use and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems.
Use two or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems
Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
Understand how data of various types (including text, sounds and pictures) can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits
Understand how instructions are stored and executed within a computer system
What is taught in Year 9 Computer Science?
Pupils will complete the following topics: -
1
Autumn 1
E-safety and Cyber Security
2
Autumn 2
Computer Systems
3
Spring 1
Introduction to Programming in Python
4
Spring 2
Computer Networks
5
Summer 1
Advanced Spreadsheets
6
Summer 2
IT and Business Project - Working to a Brief
Assessment within Computing combines formative and summative approaches. Pupils receive regular feedback through classwork, practical activities and knowledge checks. Formal summative assessments take place at the mid-point and end of Year 9 to assess pupils' understanding, retention and application of key knowledge and skills.
By the end of Year 9, our pupils will be able to:
Demonstrate secure knowledge of computer systems, networks and digital technologies.
Apply computational thinking and programming skills to solve problems.
Use technology safely, responsibly and ethically.
Develop confidence in selecting and using digital tools effectively.
Be well prepared for progression to Level 2 Digital Information Technology, Computer Science and other related qualifications.
Understand the career opportunities available within the digital and technology sectors
Key stage 4 Subject content
Pearson BTEC Level 1/2 Award in Digital Information Technology
The BTEC Level 1/2 Award in Digital Information Technology is a 2 year course which pupils select as an option at the end of Year 9. Pupils will complete the qualification over 150 hours of Total Qualification Time with 120 hours of Guided Learning Hours.
The curriculum for Digital Information Technology can be found here.
Pupils have the opportunity to study Digital Information Technology at sufficient depth to allow them to progress to higher levels of study or to a professional career.
Pupils will learn to:
Develop their capability, creativity and knowledge in digital media and information technology
Develop and apply their analytic, problem-solving, design, and computational thinking skills
Understand how changes in technology affect safety, including new ways to protect their online privacy and identity, and how to identify and report a range of concerns.
Undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications, across a range of devices, to achieve challenging goals, including collecting and analysing data and meeting the needs of known users
Create, re-use, revise and re-purpose digital artefacts for a given audience, with attention to trustworthiness, design and usability
Understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct and know how to report concerns.
What is taught in Digital Information Technology?
The Tech Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific applied knowledge and skills through realistic vocational contexts. The main focus is on four areas of equal importance, which cover the:
Development of key skills that prove your aptitude in digital information technology, such as project planning, designing and creating user interfaces and dashboards as a way to present and interpret data
Process that underpins effective ways of working in digital information technology, such as project planning, the iterative design process, cyber security, virtual teams, legal and ethical codes of conduct
Attitudes that are considered most important in digital information technology, including personal management and communication
Knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, process and attitudes in the sector such as how different user interfaces meet user needs, how organisations collect and use data to make decisions, virtual workplaces, cyber security and legal and ethical issues.
This Tech Award qualification is an introduction to the application of project planning techniques to plan, design and develop a user interface, how to collect, present and interpret data and the use of digital systems.
There are 3 Components which pupils have to study and complete. The required knowledge of the 3 Components can be found on the specification here.
The Components are as follows: -
Learners are required to complete and achieve all the three components in the qualification.
As well as the above, pupils will complete some formative assessments for mid-year and mock exams in Year 10 and 11. These will either be PSA practice tasks or past exam papers.
Studying Computing and Digital Information Technology provides pupils with the foundation knowledge and skills required for a range of careers including:
Cyber Security
Software Development
Data Analysis
Network Administration
Web Development
IT Support
Digital Marketing
Project Management
The curriculum also supports progression to Level 3 qualifications, apprenticeships and university pathways within the technology sector
2022 BTEC DIT Link:
Digital Information Technology (2022) | BTEC Tech Award | Pearson qualifications
National Computing Curriculum
National curriculum in England: computing programmes of study - GOV.UK
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