ICT, Media and Computer Science

ICT, Media and Computer Science play an increasingly important part of everyday life both at work and home. The ICT department is committed to ensuring that all students are able to use ICT confidently and safely, and have the skills to move from just using ICT into programming computers.

Intent: to equip students to be safe and active participants in the digital world. We challenge students to develop skills in logical thinking to enable problem-solving, digital literacy to ensure they can be active participants in a digital world, digital numeracy to support logical thinking and reasoning, project planning to identify and meet desired goals , programming to support sequencing and problem solving, creativity to foster development of the imagination, enterprise to help drive change and innovation to communication to foster confidence and effective working relationships.

All students in Year 7 study ICT for at least 1 lesson a week.

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all students:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

In KS4, students will study either Media or Computer Science.

The BTEC Creative Media course is a dynamic and hands-on program designed to prepare students for careers in the diverse and ever-evolving world of media and creative industries. This course delves into various aspects of media, including film, television, advertising, journalism, and digital content creation. It offers a practical approach, emphasizing real-world projects and assignments that help students develop crucial skills in storytelling, video production, graphic design, and digital media. Students can expect a blend of coursework, practical projects, and industry insights, fostering creativity, technical proficiency, and a deep understanding of the media landscape, making it an ideal choice for those aspiring to work in media, communications, or creative roles in the digital age.

The Computer Science GCSE course is a comprehensive program that equips students with a fundamental understanding of the principles and practices in the world of computing. It covers a range of topics, including computer programming, algorithms, data representation, and hardware and software systems. Students learn to write, analyze, and debug code, gaining valuable problem-solving and logical reasoning skills. This course not only provides a solid foundation for those interested in pursuing further studies in computer science or related fields but also prepares students for the digital age by enhancing their abilities to adapt, innovate, and effectively engage with technology. The Computer Science GCSE is an essential qualification in today's technology-driven world, offering students a pathway to various career opportunities in the IT sector and beyond.

The UK is experiencing a lack of well qualified computing professionals, and businesses today require an ever increasing number of technologically aware individuals. This is even more so in the gaming, mobile and web related industries. The Cockburn John Charles Academy ICT, Media and Computer Science curriculum is designed with this in mind.