KBA > Secondary > Curriculum > ICT and Computing

Department Leader: Mairead Wall

In ICT students are given a real understanding of their digital environment, develop key skills and prepare them for their future use of IT in their chosen careers across a wide range of job roles. It also covers how they can safely interact with IT at work, home and in study. The qualification is about applying understanding and skills to use technologies to select data, manipulate, store, analyse and present it as information, and follow a project life cycle to structure how it’s done.

At Key Stage 4, Computing is concerned with how computers and computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed. Pupils will gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers.

Key Stage 3

KS3 ICT Outline

Key Stage 4

Cambridge Nationals in Information Technologies (OCR J808)

This is a vocationally-related qualification that takes an engaging, practical and inspiring approach to learning and assessment. Given that the everyday use of ICT, from PCs to smartphones, now impacts all of our lives, the Cambridge Nationals in ICT provides students with a solid understanding of the subject which they can use in their working lives.

R012 – Written exam, 1 hour 45 minutes, worth 50%.
R013 – Externally moderated coursework, approximately 20 hours, worth 50%.

OCR Cambridge Nationals - IT Level 1/2 – J836 (VOCATIONAL)

Beginning from Sept 2022

How Will You Do It?

During this course, you will study 3 mandatory units. They are:

R050: IT in the digital world (This is assessed by taking an exam)
R060: Data manipulation using spreadsheets (This is assessed by completing a set assignment)
R070: Using Augmented Reality to present information (This is assessed by completing a set assignment)

You will develop cross curricular skills such as project planning, written communication, idea development, working independently and meeting deadlines.

What Qualifications Can You Obtain?
The course will lead to a Level 2 Cambridge Nationals in IT which is the GCSE equivalent at grade 4 to 9. The qualification is assessed as Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*.

How Will You Be Assessed?
An Exam (40%) and 2 Controlled Assessments (each 30%)

Computer Science (OCR J276)

This qualification teaches about the modern and changing world of computer science. Computer Science is a practical subject where learners can apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real-world problems. It is an intensely creative subject that involves invention and will value computational thinking, helping learners to develop the skills to solve problems and design systems that do so.