IT/Computing
‘Building powerful knowledge to grow confident & creative global citizens.’
The use of IT, Information Technology, is critical to so many activities, both whilst learning at the Lincoln Academy as well as being part of society as it operates today. Knowledge and understanding, alongside developing appropriate skills in the use of technology ensure that our students gain the abilities required to safely, efficiently and appropriately use the plethora of devices available in day to day life and beyond. Students are increasingly inquisitive users of technology who develop interests in different areas, whether they be refining their design and creative skills, enthusiasm to know more about computers themselves, or a curiosity for all things linked to cyber security. They are able to articulate ways to stay safe in an online world as they build knowledge of the risks encountered by users of Internet enabled devices.
Our recovery curriculum supports students' academic progress by acknowledging potential missed learning opportunities, supporting student wellbeing and facilitating enrichment. We continue to develop students resilience and sense of achievement fostering their ambition and celebrating their successes.
Year 7 – Computing technology rotation
Topic 1 - Computer Hardware
- Inputs and Outputs
- The CPU and internal components
- Memory and Storage
- PC Specs
Topic 2 - Programming with Scratch
- Program creation
- Designing and developing a game
Topic 3 - Introduction to Python!
- Introduction to Python
- Naming variables
- If… Else
- Developing a program with Python
Year 8 – Computing technology rotation
Topic 1 – Digital Literacy
- Cyberbullying and grooming
- Sexting and selfies
- Repurposing Information
Topic 2 – HTML
- Understanding tags
- Formatting
- Creating a web page
Topic 3 – Developing skills in Python
- Drawing
- Numbers
Year 9
Students in Year 9 develop and extend the knowledge, skills and understanding grounded in Years 7 and 8 in an increasingly creative way. This allows opportunity for students to develop their confidence and imaginative skills during practical activities. Students become progressively independent as they explore and master technique as well as appreciate and evaluate the work of others.
Teachers encourage and support creativity. They scaffold learning through a mixture of techniques that include modelling of creative processes through demonstration, sharing and evaluating ideas and directed research for planning. Stimuli, including from the wider world, helps students explore and express their own thoughts. This inspires creative thought processes that students continue to develop.
Year 10 – Year 11
BTEC L1/L2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology
- Component 1 – Exploring User Interface Design Principles and Project Planning Techniques
- Component 2 – Collecting, Presenting and Interpreting Data
- Component 3 – Effective Digital Working Practices
Year 12 - 13. OCR L3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT
This course is not just about being able to use computers. Employers need people who are able to help them develop their systems or the systems for their customers, use IT as a tool to research or analyse data and develop applications. The IT Diploma is designed to give learners a range of specialist knowledge and transferable skills in the context of applied IT.
Year 12 – Year 13 (Single Option)
https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/258715-centre-handbook-diplomas.pdf
- Unit 1 – Fundamentals of IT
- Unit 2 – Global Information
- Unit 5 – Augmented and Virtual Reality
- Unit 13 – Social Media and Digital Marketing
- Unit 17 – Internet of Everything
Year 12 – Year 13 (Double Option)
OCR L3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT
https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/258715-centre-handbook-diplomas.pdf
Units as per single option, plus the following:
- Unit 3 – Cyber Security
- Unit 9 – Project Management
- Unit 12 – Mobile Technologies
- Unit 16 – Smarter Planet
- + 2 more units to be confirmed
Computing within the Lincoln Academy Curriculum
Computers and information technology play an important role in modern society. People depend on them in everyday life and at work. Computerised systems operate when we book an event online and when we rely on modern transport. To be a healthy, successful global citizen information technology and computers are unavoidable:
- from multimillion pound world-wide businesses to local traders,
- from games machine coding to using a washing machine and
- from developing international digital advertising to communicating using social media
Curriculum Provision
- Students have lessons for Computing as part of their y7 and y8 technology rotations.
- IDEA (inspiring digital enterprise award) features as part of the Lincoln Baccalaureate for all students https://idea.org.uk/
- Mathematics and science is taught to all students from year 7 to year 11.
- Level 2 guided selections are taken for year 10 and 11 and the BTEC L1/L2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology is offered.
- Online Safety updates within personal development days and assemblies, as well as content shared on the department Instagram page @priory_lincoln_it
In years 7 to 9
Within IT lessons all students learn about computer hardware and how data can be inputted, processed and stored. They program routines using Scratch to create an effect developing a game. Students use Python to develop an understanding of syntax for logic functions. Personal safety, security and privacy when using IT is learned as well as developing a webpage including formatting and using tags.
Within mathematics and science lessons data is processed and computed so that students learn how to perform operations in a sequence that produces accurate answers to problems.
In years 10 and 11
All students access our Lincoln Baccalaureate and as part of this students enrol and complete the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA).
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iDEA an international programme aiming to help address the digital skills gap. The programme provides digital skills education in the form of engaging online modules (badges). The iDEA curriculum has been curated to help inspire people all over the world to become Digital Citizens, Workers, Makers, Entrepreneurs and Gamers to enhance their employability; and to help them become economically active. iDEA is a blended learning approach that aspires to be a digital and enterprise equivalent of The Duke of Edinburgh Award. Participants take on a series of challenges that earn them points which aggregate towards their Bronze, Silver or Gold Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award. iDEA’s different learning categories (Citizen, Worker, Maker, Entrepreneur and Gamer) cover topics as diverse as cyber security, cloud computing and e-safety; and animation, growth hacking, customer relationship management and web development. All the digital badges are short modules which can be completed anywhere a learner can be online. Ref: https://idea.org.uk/ |
Within mathematics and science lessons all students in years 10 and 11 further develop knowledge skills and understanding in;
- Analysing data – data sets are scrutinised to find trends and correlations. Statistical analysis of data is calculated and used.
- Problem solving – complex, real life and tangible problems are posed to develop and apply student knowledge. Students are expected to recall and use correct procedural knowledge in order to provide acceptable solutions to problems.
- Computational thinking – simplifying and solving numerical problems, recognising patterns and general trends. Ordering and sequencing procedures.