Welcome to the Computing Department
Increasingly, the ability to apply Computing skills throughout academic studies and in the workplace. The department aims to ensure that all students can utilise Computing skills securely, creatively and independently to solve problems in real life.
Computing Delivery, Resources and Extra Curricular Activities
- KS3: All students have one 50 minute lesson per week in year 7, 8 and 9.
- KS4: Students taking the GCSE Computing Course as an option have three 50 minute lessons per week.
- All students at Coloma have a secure user account on the school network. This allows them to use E-mail and the Internet.
- There are opportunities for using the computers at lunchtime and after school.
Curriculum Content
Key Stage Three
In years 7, 8 and 9 pupils follow a broad-based Computing curriculum based on the National Curriculum Programme of Study, covering three strands: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy.
Through this they acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
They also learn to analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
They evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
They are provided with opportunities to make responsible, competent, confident and creative use of information and communication technology.
Assessment in KS3 ICT
Formal assessments are carried out at the end of each unit and mapped across to levels.
Key Stage Four
GCSE Computing - OCR Code: J275 - Specifications
Course Content - What Will I Study
- How computer technology works and what goes on inside a computer: Hardware, software, memory, storage, representation of data, databases, computer communications and networks, including the internet.
- How to write program code: Algorithms, machine code, translators, integrated development environment, and other computing languages.
- How to investigate a computing problem and design an effective and efficient technical solution.
- Technical terminology and how to apply it e.g. CPU, Binary Logic, RAM, ROM, input and output devices, peripheral management, multitasking and security, ASCII and Unicode, character code and many others.
How will my progress be tested and examined?
- A451: Computer systems and programming - written examination 1.5 hours 40% of CSGE Qualification.
- A452: A practical investigation into a topic chosen from options set by the Awarding Body - Controlled Assessment 20 hours in class time - 30% of GCSE Qualification.
- A453: A Programming Project - Create a solution to a computing task set by the Awarding Body - Controlled Assessment 20 hours in class time - 30% of GCSE Qualification.
Progression- How will the study of ICT benefit students’ future education and career?
- Computing is a modern course which has real relevance for the modern world.
- Everyone has some knowledge of computers but this course will give you an in-depth understanding of how computer technology works and what goes on ‘behind the scenes’.
- The course will develop critical thinking, analysis and problem solving skills which are beneficial in all areas of study and in employment.
- Information technologies continue to have growing importance. This means there will be greater demand for professionals who are qualified in this area.
- These courses provide an excellent stepping stone to A Level ICT or Computing and on to a degree in Computer Science for students who wish to specialise in this highly skilled field.
