Overview

Key ideas and topics covered

Introduction to Computing

  • E-Safety
  • Social Media
  • Online
  • Appearance
  • Freemium

ICT & Business theory

Programming skills

  • Visual-based Programming Languages (Scratch/Kodu/Micro bits)

Computer Architecture

  • E-Safety
  • Personal Info
  • Malware, Viruses & Spyware
  • Phishing
  • Cyberbullying

ICT & Business skills and software

Programming skills

  • Text-based Programming Languages (Python, MySQL)

Using ICT to create business solutions

  • Use techniques to search for, store and share information
  • Select and use software to handle data
  • Select and use software to communicate information for a business purpose
  • Be able to use software tools to format information

Software Skills

Handling data using spreadsheets (business information strand)

  • Create and populate spreadsheets to meet user requirements
  • Select and use spreadsheet functions to meet user requirements
  • Use spreadsheet models to present information to support decision making

Create either an interactive product or digital image

Focused Exam theory (exam theory will also be sewn throughout Year 9 and 10 lessons)

  • Understand how ICT can be used to meet business needs
  • Know how to work with information and data to meet specified business needs
  • How ICT can be used to support business working practices

Legal, ethical, safety and security issues when using ICT

How are students assessed?

Year 9 & 10

Students will sit practice papers throughout the course. These do not count towards the final exam. 

Students are completing coursework throughout these two years.

Year 11

Students will sit practice papers throughout the course. These do not count towards the final exam. 

There will be one final GCSE exam paper. The paper will assess student understanding of computer systems. 

Students also complete a mandatory coursework unit “Using ICT to create business solutions”, and two optional units; one focusing on the “Business information systems strand” and the other as a more “creative strand”. Each coursework unit should take approximately 30 guided learning hours to complete, including specific theory towards units. Each is weighted 25% towards final grade.