Computing
Braunton Academy Computing Department aims to provide students with confidence and understanding when using computers. Students will learn that absolutely anyone is able to use a computer effectively to create a solution to a wide range of problems. Students will be taught to understand that it’s absolutely fine to make mistakes in computing as this is one of the important steps of our learning.
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The Computing department aims to prepare students for the ever increasing expectation of ‘computer know-how’ that the modern world demands (part of this challenge is preparing students for computing jobs that don’t exist yet!)
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Computing has become a broad spectrum of topics ranging from the digital creation of graphics to the programming of video games. The curriculum at Braunton Academy has been created to cater for everyone on this spectrum and give them the opportunity to experience a wide range of software from, Photoshop to Python.
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Facilities
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Braunton Academy boasts impressive computing facilities with two dedicated computer suites and further satellite groups around the Academy, giving a total of 150 computers for students to use. In addition, there is an increasing number of i-pads and tablets being used throughout the Academy as learning tools.
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The Computing Department has been teaching the new National Programme of Study from September 2013. This recognises that students will be involved in designing and authoring software using a variety of programming languages, as well as communicating and using it effectively.
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E-Safety
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The Academy takes its responsibility to parents and students very seriously, recognising that with emerging technologies moving so fast, our students and parents need to be kept up to date with the knowledge and information to keep our young people safe whilst using the social networking tools available responsibly. Students also need to be aware of Copyright Law and Data Protection issues relating to them, and many of the projects and much of the work throughout the Computing curriculum has an E-safety focus.
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Throughout the year E-safety assemblies are regularly timetabled, and it is also delivered as part of our tutoring and PSHE programmes. Recognising that the best way to keep our students safe is a three-way partnership between the Academy, students and parents, students must abide by the Acceptable User Agreement to access the Academy Computing Network.
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Curriculum Overview – Key Stage 3
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A summary of the key areas of study for each academic year. Students will learn / study …
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Year 7
Using Computers Responsibly and Safely
Scratch Game Production
Computing Graphics and Image Editing (Photoshop)
Introduction to Python programming
Control using Flowol
Spreadsheets (EXCEL)
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Year 8
E-Safety – Computer Law and Misuse, Data Protection, Health & Safety
Turtle Graphics in Python
Gangsta Zoo
Artificial Intelligence
Heroes of Computing
Google Docs Project
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Year 9
Spreadsheet Quizzes
Advanced graphics in Photoshop
Further Python projects
Hardware and Networks
Game of Life
End of Year 9 project
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GCSE Courses
Computing at Key Stage 4 is an optional subject at GCSE with 5 hours of study a fortnight.
Students will study the AQA (9-1) course specification which is now broken down into three areas:
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Paper 1: Computational thinking and problem-solving
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What's assessed
Computational thinking, problem solving, code tracing and applied computing as well as theoretical knowledge of computer science from subject content 1–4 below.
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How it's assessed
• Written exam set in practically based scenarios: 1 hour 30 minutes
• 80 marks
• 40% of GCSE
Types of questions
A mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions assessing a student’s practical problem-solving and computational thinking skills.
Paper 2: Written assessment
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What's assessed
Theoretical knowledge from subject content 3–7 below.
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How it's assessed
• Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
• 80 marks • 40% of GCSE
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Questions
A mix of multiple choice, short answer, longer answer and extended response questions assessing a student’s theoretical knowledge.
Non-exam assessment (what was called coursework)
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What's assessed :
The non-exam assessment (NEA) assesses a student's ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve a practical programming problem. Students will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem-solving.
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How it's assessed :
• Report: totalling 20 hours of work
• 80 marks • 20% of GCSE
Tasks
The development of a computer program along with the computer programming code itself which has been designed, written and tested by a student to solve a problem. Students will produce an original report outlining this development.
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Subject content
1) Fundamentals of algorithms
2) Programming
3) Fundamentals of data representation
4) Computer systems
5) Fundamentals of computer networks
6) Fundamentals of cyber security
7) Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology wider society, including issues of privacy
8) Aspects of software development
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Homework / Independent Learning
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Homework will be regularly posted using Google Classroom so that students are able to access the work they have done in class if necessary
Extra-curricular and Enrichment Opportunities
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The ICT suite is regularly open at lunchtimes for students to continue working on projects that they have started in class. This has become a very popular place in the last couple of years!
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Useful Links
sites.google.com/braunton.academy/computing
(Braunton Academy’s Computing Site)
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and of course the thousands of video tutorials on YouTube.com
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