Curriculum

Computing & IT

Eden Boys Bradford computing department will equip pupils with the Computational Thinking and Logical thinking skills that will set them up for the workplace of the future, where computers, software and artificial intelligence will have a greater role in running the world. These skills prepare pupils with the skills to approach problems of the future with confidence, decompose, spot patterns and develop algorithms to help solve them and create abstractions and generalisations to use and develop software and technology in a smarter way. As a result, our pupils will become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

We provide a broad range of skills and experience at KS3 which are then further developed as students enter KS4. At Key Stage 4, pupils will have the option to study a GCSE in OCR Computer Science J277 or the Pearson BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Creative Media Production.

Curriculum Overview – Key Stage 3
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9

Data representation

  • Binary-denary, Hexadecimal, bitmap and vector images

Algorithms

  • Computational thinking, written description & flowcharts.

Programming techniques

  • Variables, sequence, selection, strings, data types, arithmetic operators (+, -) and relational operators (=, <, >).

Spreadsheets and Data manipulation

  • Features, Cell referencing, formulae using arithmetic operators. Sum, min and max functions.

Hardware and software

  • CPU, input and output devices. Software applications.

Cyber Security User interfaces

  • Threats to computer systems, identifying and prevention. Design and create mobile phone application. Understand usability and trustworthiness.

Data representation

  • Binary-denary, binary addition, binary shifts, ASCII, hexadecimal, image representation, files sizes.

Algorithms

  • Computational thinking, pseudocode, flowcharts, linear search, bubble sort.

Programming techniques

  • Functions, variables, constants, selection, iteration, strings, lists, data types, operators arithmetic operators (+, -,/,*) and relational operators (=, <, >, <>).

Spreadsheets and Data manipulation

  • Features, absolute and relative cell referencing, arithmetic operators, sum functions, macros, conditional formatting, IF function.

System Architecture

  • Input, process, output, fetch-decode-execute cycle, units, primary and secondary storage. Operating systems and software applications.

Cyber Security User interfaces

  • Network security, cyber-attacks, identifying and prevention. investigating different user interfaces, planning, creating & evaluating user interfaces.

Data representation

  • Binary-denary, binary addition, binary shifts, characters(ASCII & Unicode), hexadecimal, image representation, sound, units and compression.

Algorithms

  • Computational thinking, pseudocode, flowcharts, constructs (sequence, selection, nested selections and iteration) searching and sorting algorithms, trace tables & logic gates-Boolean Logic.

Programming techniques

  • Variables, constants, data types nested selection and iteration, string manipulation, lists, arrays, records, and file handling, testing, boolean operators, arithmetic operators and relational operators (all) Code readability.

Spreadsheets

  • Features, formatting, formula. Sum, min, max and average functions, relative and absolute referencing, named ranges, linking sheets, macros & customising user interface, validation, lookup functions, IF functions, advanced calculations.

Data, manipulation, presentation & interpretation

  • Data collection methods, importing and transposing data, count functions, rank functions, conditional formatting & data summary sheet. Graphs, charts & dashboard.

System Architecture

  • Input, process, output, fetch-decode-execute cycle, primary and secondary storage networks.

System Security Software User interfaces

  • Network security, malware, identifying and preventing vulnerabilities. Utility software and cloud applications Types of user interfaces, users accessibility and skills, demographics & design principles.
Computer Science Curriculum Overview – Key Stage 4
Year 10 Year 11
  • Algorithms
  • Programming Fundamentals
  • Producing robust programs
  • Programming languages
  • Integrated Development Environments
  • System Architecture
  • Memory Storage
  • Computer networks, connections and protocols
  • Network security
  • Algorithms
  • Boolean logic
  • Programming Fundamentals
  • Producing robust programs
  • Programming languages
  • Integrated Development Environments
  • System Architecture
  • Memory Storage
  • Computer networks, connections and protocols
  • Network security
BTEC Creative Media Production Curriculum Overview – Key Stage 4
Year 10 Year 11

C1. Media products, audiences and purpose

  • Types of audiences
  • Classifications
  • Researching media products
  • Research techniques
  • Audience interpretation

Genre, narrative and representation

  • Contemporary historical media
  • Representation of people, places, issues and events
  • Media production techniques

Audio/moving image media products

  • Camerwork
  • Mise-en-scence
  • Special effects
  • Lighting

Print media products

  • Layout & design
  • Photographic techniques
  • Interactive media products
  • User interface
  • Interactive features
  • Usability/playability
  • Sound design

C2 Media Pre-production

  • Storyboards
  • Audio scripts
  • Screenplays

Skills & techniques: Print

  • Mood boards
  • House styles
  • Mock-ups
  • Thumbnails/sketches

Skills & techniques: interactive

  • Wire frames
  • Storyboards
  • Structure chart
  • Games design log

C.2 Media preproduction processes & practices

  • types of audiences
  • production workflow
  • preparing assets
  • managing assets
  • experimenting with different techniques
  • exporting for digital distribution

Media production skills and techniques
Audio/moving image sector skills

  • shot composition
  • camera movements
  • lighting techniques
  • recording audio

Print sector: skills

  • writing and editing copy
  • taking photographs
  • image editing
  • image manipulation techniques
  • creating graphics

Interactive sector: skills

  • creating vector graphics
  • creating 2D assets
  • creating 3D assets
  • image editing
Enrichment Offer

The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and pupils are able to use the Academy’s state-of-the-art IT facilities. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the Academy in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.

Careers

There are a wide range of careers that can be pursued by students who study Computing and IT. These include:

Graphic Design, Web Development, Accountancy, Software Engineering, Software Analyst/Developer, Cyber Security, Data Scientist, Networking, Digital marketing, IT security, Data manipulation, Technical support, Project management and System Analyst.

Further Information

For further information about our Computing curriculum offer, please contact Mrs N Bahar (Director of Learning for Computing and IT) using the school contact details.