Computer Science & ICT

Staff

Mrs Wright – Head of Department
Mr Ahmed – Progress and Achievement Computer Science
Mrs Ngwa – Progress and Achievement ICT
Mrs Sharma – Progress and Achievement KS3
Mrs Siddiq
Mr Landa

We believe that every student at Barking Abbey School should be able to use a variety of industry standard software and hardware. We want our students to develop the foundations to enable them to be discerning, life-long learners in an ever increasing fast moving industry through computational thinking and digital creativity. The Computing department aims to encourage students to become both independent enquirers and creative thinkers. 

The Computing syllabus has been designed to cover the three main areas of Digital Literacy, Computer Science and Information Technology.

This course is designed to equip students with the logical and computational skills necessary to succeed at A-level, the workplace or beyond. It recognises the well-established methodologies of computing, alongside the technological advances which make it such a dynamic subject.

Computer Science and Information Technology are one of the fastest growing, sustainable sectors of the economy. The work is designed not only to challenge students to create solutions to key tasks and problems in the real world, but to encourage students to become both independent enquirers and creative thinkers. 

In ICT and Computer Science lessons, students are taught how to become efficient users of digital technology, ranging from creating digital animations to programming and sequencing.

ICT and Computer Science are taught across all Key Stages at Barking Abbey School.

Our highly skilled staff have expertise across the wide range of emerging technologies, as well as a broad base in the more established areas of the subject.

Our qualifications concentrate on the use of ICT and Computing in the real world, equipping students with skills they will use in all walks of life.

Curriculum

KS5

At Key Stage 5 students can choose either A LEVEL Computer Science or BTEC LEVEL 3 certificate in ICT (EQUIVALENT TO 1 A LEVEL)

Course Outline

A LEVEL Computer Science

A level Computer Science allows students to gain an understanding of fundamental principles and concepts of computer science. It gives students the ability to analyse problems in computational terms and the capacity to think creatively innovatively, analytically, logically and critically.

Throughout this course there will be an emphasis on problem solving using computers, computer programming and algorithms, and the mathematical skills such as Boolean algebra used to express computational laws and processes.

A Level lessons are delivered using practical, hands-on methods where possible. Programming is not taught in isolation – it is applied to produce solutions that illuminate and clarify other aspects of theory relevant to the course.

Students will be exposed to several programming paradigms and languages – they will also be encouraged to explore additional options through self-study. Experience of Computer Science is required and we would expect students to have achieved at least a grade 6 in Mathematics at GCSE level  and Grade B or Grade 5 or above in Computer Science. A passion for computer science is essential and we would be delighted to consider any student who is fascinated by computer technology and is willing to work hard and try their very best.

Course Overview

Component 01 - Computer systems – this component will introduce you to the internal workings of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the exchanging of data, and also looks at software development, data types and legal and ethical issues.

• The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices

• Software and software development

• Exchanging data (How data is exchanged between different systems)

• Data types, data structures and algorithms

• Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues.

Component 02 - Content of Algorithms and programming – you will understand what is meant by computational thinking, and understand the benefits of applying computational thinking to solving a wide variety of problems.

• Elements of computational thinking

• Problem solving and programming

• Algorithms

Component 03 - Programming project – you will analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language for real users.

Assessment overview

Students must take all three components to be awarded the OCR A Level in Computer Science.

BTEC LEVEL 3 ICT (EQUIVALENT TO 1 A LEVEL)

This qualification is designed for learners who are interested in an introduction to the study of creating IT systems to manage and share information, alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily just in IT.  

This course enables students to identify and solve problems by developing ICT systems in a chosen scenario. Students also learn how to manage data through the design and usage of Databases in an examined unit.

Through a further examined unit, students gain a deeper understanding about the effective use of ICT systems and make use of IT applications typically used throughout the industry..

Two final project will allow students to create professional and well-designed digital artefact which will be assessed internally and moderated externally.

Assessment overview

Students will cover the following units

UNIT 1:- Information Technology Systems

UNIT 2:- Creating Systems to Manage Information

UNIT 3:- Using Social Media in Business

UNIT 4:- Website Development

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"Computers themselves, and software yet to be developed, will revolutionise the way we learn."

Steve Jobs