Computing

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At Park Community Academy we place great emphasis on equipping our learners with all the necessary skills that are needed to function effectively in our technologically led society. Student’s learn all the core elements of Computing and in addition pupils gain external qualifications in the subject. Some pupils in Year 9 and all pupils in Key Stage 4 work towards their Entry Level Accreditation or a Personal Progress Unit in Developing ICT Skills.  In the Sixth Form the pupils complete a Digital Functional Skill Qualification or an ASDAN unit. 

Throughout the school we have over 100 laptops for pupils to use in their classrooms. These utilise the wireless internet, network and printing technology as do the large interactive boards we have in each classroom.

Other examples of IT resources include digital voice recorders, talking tins and postcards, a code-a-pillar and ‘Bee Bots’. There is also an interactive table set up for the Upper Primary pupils to use win the Berry building which has a range of apps on ready to support their learning.

Each Key Stage have a set of iPads which are used to support all areas of the curriculum. There is also an apple TV unit set up in each room which allows the teacher to show the pupils on the interactive whiteboard what is on the iPad without the need for wires. This also allows students to participate from their own seats in a variety of interactive activities.

Computing is taught as a discreet subject whereby learners acquire new skills, are formally assessed, can gain accreditation and regularly update their knowledge.  In addition, Computing is delivered on a cross curricular basis and is used as a tool which enhances the learning process across all areas of the curriculum.

The school run a Digital Champions program which allows a group of pupils who have a particular interest in Computing to meet, try out new equipment and develop their skills. They then have the opportunity to share these skills with other students within the school.

 

Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 Computing

We have had a bespoke scheme of work written especially for our Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 pupils which takes into account the Early Learning Goals and each key stage’s rolling programmes along with the hardware and software available throughout the school. Online safety units are also included which will be regularly covered throughout each year. By following this program, the staff will ensure that all areas of the computing curriculum will be covered and the key skills built upon.

 

Key Stage 1

Three Year Plan

		Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
	Strand	We control technology	Communication: Multimedia	Communication:Data	We control technology	Communication: Multimedia	Communication:Data
1	Units	What is a Computer?	Digital Art	Counting	We Control Technology	Sound & Music	Sorting
2	Units	What is a Computer?	Photographs	Counting	Tinkering: Bee-Bots	Films & Animation	Sorting
3	Units	What is a Computer?	eBooks	Counting	We Control Technology	Photographs	Sorting

 

Key Stage 2

Four Year Long Term Plan

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
1	Multimedia: Text	Data Counting	Multimedia: Art	Algorithms & Programming Controlling Technology	Multimedia: Sound & Music	Algorithms & Programming Sequencing Instructions
2	Multimedia:  Presentation	Algorithms & Programming Finding Patterns	Multimedia: Photos	Algorithms & Programming: Bee-Bots	Multimedia: Films	Data: Sorting
3	Algorithms & Programming Sequencing Instructions	Multimedia:  eBooks	Algorithms & Programming: Finding Patterns	Multimedia:  Animation	Data: Pictograms/Charts	Multimedia:  Sound & Music
4	Multimedia:  Text	Algorithms & Programming Bee-Bots	Data: Branching Databases	Multimedia: Art	Algorithms & Programming: Scratch	Multimedia:  eBooks

 

Key Stage 3

Three Year Long Term Plan

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
1	Multimedia Art	Algorithms & Programming We control technology	Data Counting and Sorting	Multimedia Sound & Music	Algorithms & Programming Sequencing Algorithms	Multimedia Photographs
2	Multimedia: Films	Algorithms & Programming Sorting algorithms & Patterns	Data  Pictograms & Charts	Multimedia eBooks	Algorithms & Programming Simple programs: Beebots	Multimedia:  Posters & Presentations
3	Multimedia Working with Text	Algorithms & Programming Simple programs apps & websites	Data Branching databases	Algorithms & Programming Simple programs: other	Multimedia Animation	Algorithms & Programming Simple programs: other

Some of our Year 9 pupils will begin to work on units which will count towards their Entry Level qualification.

Key Stage 4 Computing

In Key Stage 4 the pupils’ are working towards their Entry Level qualification by completing units such as Presentation, Online Basics, Using Emails, Imaging Software, IT Fundamentals, Spreadsheets and Word.   Online safety is also taught alongside these units. 

WJEC Entry Level pathways Information Technology
IT User Fundamentals	Entry 2 & 3
Spreadsheet Software	Entry 2 & 3
Using Word Processing Software	Entry 2 & 3
Presentation Software	Entry 2 & 3
Desktop Publishing Software	Entry 2 & 3
Using Email	Entry 3
Online Basics	Entry 2
Imaging Software	Entry 2 & 3
WJEC-Award in Personal Progress
Developing ICT Skills	Entry 1

 

Key Stage 5 Computing

 

In the sixth form the students learn all the core elements of Computing and in addition pupils work towards qualifications in the subject. The qualifications taken will depend on the ability of the individual student. 

 

Pearson Edexcel Digital Functional Skills qualifications	Entry 3 and Level 1
ASDAN	Using Computer Technology

 

Computing Curriculum