Curriculum 

Our curriculum is composed of computer science concepts and coding, IT, digital literacy and graphics design.  The curriculum provides everyday IT skills and knowledge for all as well as offering specialised skills and opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in media and marketing, coding, network management, cybersecurity and data management.

At Key Stage 4 students may choose to further their coding skills and understanding of how computer systems work by studying the GCSE in Computer Science.  This qualification allows students to consolidate their programming skills and investigate further the broad application and implications of computer technologies in society today.  The course includes hardware and network functionality as well as computational techniques for software development.

Computer Science suits students who enjoy logical thinking and problem solving. The course particularly benefits students considering a future in engineering, mathematics, computer programming or Information Technology.

Alternatively, students who enjoy perfecting their multimedia skills of image creation and animation should consider a qualification in Creative iMedia.  The GCSE equivalent course consists of approximately 60% practical skills and 40% theory broken down across three units.  The course begins with the consolidation of practical skills. Students will then be expected to build on their practical skills to design and create an integrated solution for a given scenario. Related theoretical knowledge of image creation and animation is tested in exam unit.

At Key Stage 5 we offer OCR’s Computer Science A Level. This course provides students with the opportunity to fine tune their programming skills, perhaps by learning an additional programming language, to produce a full programming solution for a client.  The course also covers a broad spectrum of current and relevant topics including cybersecurity, computational thinking and the impact of emerging technologies as well as data structures, standard algorithms and the internal workings of computer systems and networks.

Students taking this course will be well prepared to study a computer science or an IT related course at university or they could apply for one of the many and exciting IT or Computer Science Apprenticeships offered by a wide range of organisations including GCHQ, Armed Services, IBM, Google, PwC, KPMG, BAE, etc.

Alternatively, students who enjoy a course that includes project work can opt to take the Diploma in IT offered by OCR.  This course, equivalent to one A Level, offers a range of units enabling students to understand more about computer networks and problem solving.  The course requires students to acquire the knowledge and communications skills to resolve computer-related problems.  The course also includes exams covering fundamentals of computer systems, global information and cybersecurity.

Students can build and develop their practical computing and IT skills which will make them invaluable in a wide range of organisations including the NHS, charities, businesses, manufacturing, tourism and catering industries, etc. Knowledgeable and practical ICT skills are in high demand making this course suitable for students who want to support businesses in IT, networks or cybersecurity.