IT & Creative iMedia

Information Technology (Computing) Curriculum Statement

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems, and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

How do we exceed the ambition of the National Curriculum that makes our curriculum exceptional?

Each of the units planned throughout key stage 3 and 4 have been carefully planned to ensure that all students are developing their subject knowledge throughout all lessons.
This has been ensured by implementing higher level work throughout all year groups. All pupils are being challenged during each aspect and encouraged into achieving higher than their expected target.
Wider reading, video resources and links are provided to pupils and promoted during this lesson to encourage positive learning habits.
Finally, through home learning students are provided with tasks specifically created to enhance knowledge by providing context that will engage pupils.

National Curriculum

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils can:

Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms, and data representation.
Are able to analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
Are responsible, competent, confident, and creative users of information and communication technology.

Exceeding ambition

This has been ensured by implementing higher level work throughout all year groups. All pupils are being challenged during each aspect and encouraged into achieving higher than their expected target.

Here's our Curriculum Road Map for IT & Creative iMedia:

Intent

The IT curriculum will enable students to learn with a coherent and exciting framework which does not limit students’ ambitions. It will allow pupils to develop a range of new skills through all of the units and to develop a rich, deep and secure subject knowledge. Throughout key stage 3 and 4 all students are provided with the opportunity to excel through a range of visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic resources. This ensures that students develop competent practical skills in their use of technology.
The overall intention of this unit is to provide students with the resources to develop their computing skills. This will be completed through promoting personal project work, providing the resources to solve problems and create solutions to larger issues and to create products that contain in depth computing techniques and skills throughout. The intention is for students to leave with good quality IT and media skills that enable them to engage positively within the modern workspace.

Implementation: - What does learning look like?

In Years 7, 8 and 9 (Key Stage 3)

Students cover a range of effective and engaging content to build up their skill set throughout the three years of Key Stage 3. All units are planned with a focus on using a variety of activities and resources to ensure the best outcomes of all stages. Pupils’ complete activities during lessons that demonstrate their understanding of the content taught. This knowledge is then recalled often to ensure all pupils are retaining this level of knowledge and understanding.
During key stage 3 there is an emphasis on the importance of independent project work to ensure all students are confident in their ability when moving onto key stage 4.

In Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4)

Within key stage 4, creative imedia is taught to students. All lessons are structured to deliver the content securely and with an emphasis on positive outcomes throughout this course of study.
Students are taught theory content with direct links to wider society to ensure confidence in applying this to the real world. The focus on two of three units is to ensure pupils are able to put their skills and knowledge into practice. Therefore, the lessons have been structured with an emphasis on applying skill set and practical skills within each lesson.

Impact

At KS3

Students will complete key skills, key concepts and theory work and their main practical QMS (quality marked summative) assessment each half term. This will be based on the development of their IT skills in relation to the topics they have been studying. At KS3 IT is tracked through KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Students receive verbal feedback and written QMF (Quality Marked Formative) feedback every half term to ensure they can reflect on strengths and areas for development as they are working to make further progress during their DIRT (Directed Improvement and Reflection Time). Their progress will be reflected in their QMS (Quality Marked Summative) assessment which is used to inform their Evidence Based Grades (EBGs). This will determine whether students are meeting, exceeding or developing in relation to their Expected Outcome. Interventions will be put in place for any students working below their Expected Outcome.

At KS4

Students receive verbal feedback each lesson and frequent written QMF (Quality Marked Formative) feedback every half term to ensure they can reflect on strengths and areas for development as they are working to make further progress during their DIRT (Directed Improvement and Reflection Time). Progress will be reflected in their QMS (quality marked summative) assessment. Their QMS assessments will be used to inform their Evidence Based Grades (EBGs), which will determine whether students are meeting, exceeding or developing in relation to their Expected Outcome for GCSE. Interventions will be put in place for any students working below their Expected Outcome.

Cultural Capital Opportunities linked to Personal and Character development

Developing partnerships with external providers that extend opportunities for learning. Encouraging students to engage with wider reading/ multimedia that can deepen their understanding of digital technologies in the world around them.