A challenging and exciting programme exists for all students. As the new curriculum evolves, Digital Literacy will be developed within the Integrated Curriculum and other subject areas. Dedicated Computing provision exists for the further development of ICT and Computer Science specific skills.

All KS3 students have two lessons of Computing per fortnight. Class size is approximately 20 students and all are able to work one per workstation.

The KS3 curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop a range of Computing skills including Spreadsheets, Website Creation, Computational Thinking through Algorithms and Data Representation, HMTL and programming, Cybersecurity, Graphics, Video Editing and Staying Safe Online.

Students have a choice of pathways at both KS4 and KS5. The examination board for all courses is WJEC.

GCSE ICT

This course offers students an opportunity to identify and solve real problems by designing information and communication systems in a wide range of contexts. It develops students’ interdisciplinary skills and their capacity for imaginative, innovative thinking, creativity and independence. Assessment is 60% controlled assessment (completed in lessons) and 40% external examinations.

Year 10

Unit 1
Understanding ICT Exam - 1.5 hrs - 20%

Unit 2
Solving problems with ICT Controlled Assessment - 30%

Year 11

Unit 3
ICT in Organisations Exam - 1.5 hrs - 20%

Unit 4
Developing Multimedia ICT Controlled Assessment - 30%

GCSE Computer Science

This course offers students an opportunity to gain an understanding of how computers work and to create and troubleshoot computer programs for real-life purposes. It will provide students with valuable programming and computational thinking skills, which are increasingly relevant to a wide variety of jobs.

Structure of Course

Unit 1
Understanding Computer Science Exam - 1.45hrs - 50%

Unit 2
Computational Thinking and Programming On screen Practical Exam - 2hrs - 30%

Unit 3
Software Development Controlled Assessment - 20hrs - 20%

A-Level ICT

A-Level ICT encourages students to become discerning users of ICT. Students develop a broad range of ICT skills and knowledge and understanding of ICT.

AS

IT1          Information Systems
Written Exam - 2 1/4 hours - 24% of A Level

IT2         Presenting Information
Task Coursework - 16% of A Level

A2

IT3          Use and Impact of ICT
Written Exam - 2.5 hours - 36% of A Level

IT4          Relational Database Project
Coursework - 24% of A Level

A Level Computer Science

A Level Computer Science enables learners to develop a broad range of skills in the areas of programming, system development, computer architecture, data, communications and applications.

Unit 1
Fundamentals of computer Science
Written Examination - 25% of A Level

Unit 2
Practical Programming to Solve Problems
On-screen examination - 15% of A Level

Unit 3
Programming and System Development
Written examination - 20% of A Level

Unit 4
Computer Architecture, Data, Communication
Written examination - 20% of A Level

Unit 5
Programmed Solution to a Problem
Coursework - 20% of A Level.

Every opportunity is provided to allow students to follow their own interests and achieve their full potential

At Year 7 we follow a skill based learning programme incorporating projects that will introduce and develop skills such as finding out and reporting, problem solving, teamwork and communication.

The Food and Textile projects included in Years 8 and 9 effectively combine theoretical and practical tasks that encourage students to encompass these fundamental skills throughout the design process.

In Textiles Technology, students are taught to embellish fabrics through a variety of mediums such as dyeing methods, appliqué and CAD/ CAM. These are combined with a range of sewing styles to produce quality and original outcomes and products.

In Food Technology, students are taught to develop their individual capabilities, knowledge and understanding through focused practical tasks, product analysis activities and design and make assignments. The students will have the opportunity to take part in a number of projects, these will focus on healthy eating, multicultural foods and designing and making their own products that meet a variety of client and customer needs.

As they progress through, the students continue to develop Design & Technology capability by combining designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding. They begin to study existing products to see how others have solved similar problems.

Throughout Key Stage 3, students are taught techniques for exploring and developing ideas including sketching and rendering, annotated drawings, 3D mock ups and computer simulation Sometimes the students work on their own, sometimes in pairs and, on occasions, as a member of a team. They will use aspects of mathematics, science and art.

In Design and Technology, a range of courses allow students to study an area of technology in depth. The focus areas offered are WJEC

(a) Product Design

(b) Fashion and Textiles

These are taken as a full GCSE Course.

Each course has a two hour written examination worth 50% of the overall grade with the remaining 50% consisting of the NEA. This will involve students producing an individual design and make project in which they are required to research a design context, generate a number of iterations and manufacture a solution which best satisfies the requirements they have identified. Evaluation of their ideas and research, materials, production techniques and their own performance is an important and integral part of each project. Both courses are taught through a range of theory and practical tasks with an emphasis on learning through experience and consolidating knowledge through exam style questions.

Hospitality and Catering - Technical Award

Aims of the course

This is an exciting course from Eduqas (WJEC) offering a level 1/2 qualification in Hospitality and Catering. Learners will gain an overview of the hospitality and catering industry and the type of job roles that may be available to assist them in making choices about progression. It will also equip learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and prepare food. It will also allow them to apply the principles of nutrition, sustainability and healthy eating.

Following this qualification will encourage learners to cook and enable them to make informed decisions about food, nutrition and budgeting to allow them to be able to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously, now and in later life. It will also allow students to explore sustainability issues related to food issues, including seasonality, food miles and availability, Fairtrade and freedom foods.

Course Content

The course will be made up of the following modules;

• Hospitality in catering in context. You will investigate and learn how the hospitality service operates, learn about the environment in which operators work and visit local hotels to help visualise the services offered
• Investigate food hygiene, including completing a basic food hygiene qualification
• Principles of nutrition, diet and good health. You will be looking at the role of the main nutrients in the diet, their sources, function and deficiency disease
• Where food comes from and food related sustainability issues
• Cooking and food preparation

Assessment

Eduqas

WJEC Hospitality & Catering Level 1/2

Unit 1
The Hospitality and Catering Industry

External assessment
Written examination 90 minutes

40% of qualification

Unit 2
Hospitality and Catering in Action

Internal assessment
External modification; Non-Examination Assessment

Research, prepare, cook and present dishes.
9 hours (including 4 hour practical assessment)

60% of qualification

Beyond Technical Award

Successful completion of this qualification could support entry to qualifications that develop specific skills for work in hospitality and catering such as:

• Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery or Hospitality and Catering Principles (professional cookery)
• WJEC Level 3 Food, Science and Nutrition
• GCE in Home Economics/Design and Technology (Food Technology)
• Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management (VRQ)
• Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality, Supervision and Leadership principles (QCF)
• Level 3 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (professional cookery)
• Level 3 Award in Practical Food Safety Supervision for Catering (QCF)

This course can also lead to careers in Environmental Health, Childcare, Dietician and Nutrition, Food Industry Nutritionist and New Product Development.

ENGINEERING

The Department offers a BTEC L2 Certificate in Engineering qualification relevant to students wishing to pursue a career in engineering, which will complement their studies in science and mathematics.

This qualification is a nationally recognised work-related course that is broadly equivalent to one GCSE grade A*-C. It consists of the study of two mandatory units including an online examination and one optional unit based on engineering, chosen to give students the most relevant skills for employment in the area.

The optional unit involves some practical work such as making engineered products by cutting, shaping and joining materials in the workshops, learning how to apply mathematics and physics to engineering.

Issues and ideas will be explored that make students consider factors such as the appearance and quality of a product, how it is produced safely and to be environmentally friendly, the part that new technologies have to play in engineering and manufacturing and the effects they all have on society.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

We also offer GCSE Built Environment which offers a learning experience that focuses applied learning, such as acquiring and applying knowledge, skills and understanding through relevant and purposeful tasks set in sector or subject contexts that have many of the characteristics of real work.

It is also the means by which learners are enthused, engaged and motivated to study how buildings are constructed. The applied purpose provides the opportunity for authentic work-related learning, but more than this, it will require learners to consider how the use and application of their learning impacts on individuals, employers, society and the environment. The WJEC Level 1/2 Award in Constructing the Built Environment is assessed through a combination of internal and external assessment:

Unit 1 Taken in Year 10
An online assessment, comprising of a range of question types to assess specification content related to ideas and concepts in the built environment and evidence related to the built environment. (35%)

Unit 2 NEA
Assesses the learner's knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to identifying, interpreting and calculating information; written success criteria; carrying out a range of techniques appropriate to the pathway; evaluating tasks. (40%)

Unit 3 NEA
This case study assesses the learner's knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the stages of the building life cycle; the stages and processes involved in the design, construction, value and use of their built environment. (25%)

The WJEC AS and Full A Level Product Design Course gives students the opportunity to further develop their skills in designing and making which were gained through the study of any one of the three Design and Technology options at GCSE.

Both courses are essentially about identifying and solving real problems, with students able to work in a wide range of contexts relating to their personal interests or intended careers.

In studying Design and Technology, students will develop the transferable skills of analysis, research, and evaluation. The high degree of coursework develops the ability to work independently through a tutorial system. The case-study gives an opportunity for candidates to look in depth at a possible career area or study design in its broadest sense.

BTEC L3 Extended Certificate in Engineering, broadly equivalent to one GCE A Level, is offered to students wishing to extend their GCE AS and A Level studies towards the area of employment that they wish to enter. It consists of studies in two mandatory units plus four further optional units, chosen for the most relevant skills and build upon many of the skills studied in the BTEC Extended Certificate.

Fashion and Textiles has a two-hour written examination worth 50% of the overall grade with the remaining 50% consisting of the NEA. This will involve students producing an individual design-and-make project in which they are required to research a design context, generate a number of iterations and manufacture a solution which best satisfies the requirements they have identified. Evaluation of their ideas and research, materials, production techniques and their own performance is an important and integral part of each project. Both courses are taught through a range of theory and practical tasks with an emphasis on learning through experience and consolidating knowledge through exam-style questions.