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Business and IT
Technology and business is a fundamental aspect of modern Britain and digital literacy is as important as being able to read and write. Our curriculum and courses help students develop these skills and prepare them for the next stage of their education and future careers.
One thing that all of our staff have in common is a great love for our subjects. We want our students to experience the same enjoyment that we derive from technology and the world of business. We recognise that academic success is one of the criteria by which both students and staff are judged and we are committed to doing all we can to help our students reach their full potential.
We aim to:
- enable students to communicate more effectively in their work and use technology to aid them in doing this
- enable students to build upon their own digital literacy so they are able to pick up any device or use any piece of software and feel confident in using it
- enable students to know the online world and are able to safely navigate their way through the everyday uses of the internet whether that be for school or entertainment
- develop an enjoyment and an understanding of IT, computer science and business that students will carry with them throughout their lives.
Key Stage 3 Computer Science and Enterprise curriculum
Students will build on their Key Stage 2 computing and IT skills. There are elements of our curriculum that concentrate on traditional IT skills (how to use a computer, when best to use a computer and what for) and we also look at elements of computer science (How does a computer work? How can I make it work?).
Elements of Business are built into the curriculum giving students an idea of practical real life business concepts. This curriculum will prepare them for our Key Stage 4 qualifications, as well as their use of IT within other subject areas.
Year 7
- How does a computer work
- Computational thinking (Learn to think like a computer)
- Spreadsheets.
Year 8
- Databases
- Website creation
- Programming using Python
- Digital graphics.
Year 9
- Further Computer Science
- Use of IT in business
- Further python programming .
Key Stage 4 Computer Science and Enterprise Curriculum
At key stage 4 we offer a BTEC technical award in Enterprise, BTEC technical award in digital IT and a Computer Science GCSE.
Computer Science GCSE
A two year GCSE course centred around the development of programming skills and understanding technical computing methodology.
Paper 1: Computational thinking and problem solving
What is assessed?
Computational thinking, problem solving, code tracing and applied computing as well as theoretical knowledge of computer science.
How it's assessed?
- Written exam set in practically based scenarios: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 80 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Question styles
A mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions assessing a student’s practical problem solving and computational thinking skills.
Paper 2: Written assessment
What is assessed?
Theoretical knowledge about how a computer works including internal and external components as well as networking and use of data.
How it's assessed?
- Written exam set in practically based scenarios: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 80 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Question styles
A mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions assessing a student’s practical problem solving and computational thinking skills.
BTEC Technical Award in Digital IT
This course is completed over two years and we follow the Edexcel BTEC Technical syllabus for Digital IT. This has three main components:
Component 1: Exploring User Interface Design Principles and Project Planning Techniques
30% of the overall qualification, internally assessed
Students examine, design and create a user interface for a given scenario. This gives them practical skills to help prepare them for work in the IT industry.
Component 2: Collecting, Presenting and Interpreting Data 3
30% of the overall qualification, internally assessed
Data is used by every organisation, individual on a daily basis. Being able to know where it comes from and how we use it a fundamental part of IT.
Component 3: Effective Digital Working Practices
40% of the overall qualification, externally assessed
Students will explore how organisations use digital systems and the wider implications associated with their use.
BTEC Technical Award in Enterprise
This course is completed over two years and we follow the Edexcel BTEC Technical syllabus for Enterprise. The course has three main components:
Component 1: Exploring Enterprises
30% of the overall qualification, internally assessed
Students examine different enterprises to develop their knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of enterprises and the skills needed by entrepreneurs.
Component 2: Planning for and Pitching an Enterprise Activity
30% of the overall qualification, internally assessed
Students individually select an idea for a micro-enterprise activity to plan and pitch. They individually pitch their business plan for their idea to an audience and then use the feedback to review their plan and pitch.
Component 3: Promotion and Finance for Enterprise
40% of the overall qualification, externally assessed
Students explore the different promotional methods used by enterprises and the factors that influence how enterprises identify and target their market. Students explore financial documents and how to use them to monitor and improve the performance of an enterprise in order to make decisions and recommend strategies for success.
Courses offer progression to Level 3, AS/A2 Level, BTEC Award, Cambridge Technical, AVCE, NVQ3, Advanced Apprenticeship in related subjects and Access to HE.