Year 7
The range of concepts experienced as a new student in Year 7 will form a firm foundation for the years to come. Students will begin with some practical skills such as finding your way around our computer network and sending emails before finding out more about E-safety, Security and Digital Footprints through an online platform IDEA. Students will move onto studying how to construct algorithms using “Flowol”. During the second term we aim to make students more aware of a well-known competition run through BAFTA, which inspires and supports young people to create, develop and present their new game idea to the world. Following on from the design students will bring their game idea to life using Scratch.
Year 8
Year 8 students will be introduced to how to use a variety of applications to manipulate images and text to design magazine covers. They are introduced to GIMP, as well as the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act. During the second half of the term, students look at the Amazon Web Services competition where groups of students design an app with the aim of improving/addressing an issue in school or local community. During the first half of the second term, students look at how computers are joined together using Networks. Moving on to look at some examples of algorithms, including how they use iteration and selection to achieve specific tasks. They construct their own algorithms using Python to create geometric shapes. In the summer term, students look at the social, moral and environmental impact of technology on their day to day lives. They are introduced to a range of software, before being asked to research how to use them, and complete their own independent project to create media, including graphics and a website. This unit of work is very independent, with a lot of research and self-led tasks.
Year 9
The final year of key stage 3 aims to strengthen some of the skills students learn during year 7 and 8, combined with the aim of giving students a taster of some of the concepts they will study at GCSE. In the first half of the term students learn the basics of modelling, texturing, and animating using Blender and will create 3D models and short animations. In the second half of the term students are introduced to an embedded system called a Micro:Bit. Students will familiarise themselves with the device itself and further their understanding python which they use to create their own programs. The second term starts with a theoretical unit covering the basic principles of computer architecture and use of binary. Students then explore the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Finding out how machine learning and deep learning are used in image recognition and the Ethics of AI is considered. During the third term, students complete an independent programming. They are introduced to the methodology for completing the tasks that have been set, before coding a solution to the different problems set.