Computer Science / Creative iMedia

Knowledge of computer science is fundamental in today’s world, as technology continues to shape the future we live in.  Computer science teaches us to:

  • solve problems by breaking them down into manageable components
  • by creating solutions, we are required to be creative and logical
  • develops independence, skills and a resilient mindset

All of which are valuable, in any pathway that a student chooses to follow.

All students will follow a programme of study based upon the Computing National Curriculum.

All students should be following the latest technology news on a weekly basis, so they are aware of the impact technology is having on people and society.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

The Academy currently offers two qualifications; Computer Science GCSE and OCR Cambridge Nationals Level 1/2 Certificate in Creative iMedia (GCSE equivalent qualification).  Students can, if they wish, select both qualifications to study in KS4.

Computer Science

The Computer Science GCSE is the OCR course J277, which is eBacc recognized and comprises two written examination papers.  Both papers are taken at the end of Year 11:

Paper 1:  Computer Systems – 1 hour 30 minutes (50%)

Paper 2:  Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming – 1 hour 30 minutes (50%)

Students also undertake a 20 hour programming project during lesson time to develop their programming skills in design, writing, testing and refining computer programs. The high-level programming language used is Python V3.

 

Cambridge Nationals Creative iMedia

The Cambridge Nationals Creative iMedia course is a GCSE equivalent qualification.  This qualification is industry focused and all the tasks are designed to replicate working for a client.  This is a ‘hands on’ approach that has strong relevance to the way people use the technology required in creative media.

The Creative iMedia curriculum is currently changing.  Year 11 students are still following the course J817 and have two NEA units to complete.  Year 10’s will be following the J834 curriculum that starts teaching in September 2022.  They will complete in Year 10:

  • one mandatory NEA: R094 – Visual identity and digital graphics – 10 hours  (25%)

And in Year 11:

  • one examined unit of work:  R093 – Creative iMedia in the media industry – 1 hour 30 minutes (40%)
  • one other NEA: R098 – Visual imaging – 14 hours  (35%)

NEA assessments are completed in controlled conditions, off timetable, over 2-3 days.

 

Key Stage 3

Students will complete the following units of work, which are project based during Key Stage 3.

Year 7

  • Introduction to Holbrook Academy Computing
  • Understanding Computers
  • Networks – from Semaphore to the Internet
  • Programming Essentials in Scratch
  • Introduction to Python Programming
  • Using Media

Year 8

  • Binary
  • Cryptography
  • Python Next Steps
  • Media – Graphics
  • Developing for the Web
  • Modelling Data – Spreadsheets

Year 9

  • Cybersecurity
  • Computational Thinking and Logic
  • Advanced Python Programming
  • Databases
  • Representation – Going Audio-Visual
  • AI and Machine Learning

 

Wider Reading Lists  Computer Science Reading List

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