Maths, ICT and Computing

Maths and IT faculty curriculum intent
Our Maths and IT curriculum is designed to produce creative and ambitious students. The curriculum is rich in knowledge and skills which prepares students for future challenges. Our logically sequenced curriculum gives our students the opportunity to communicate, justify and argue using subject specific vocabulary whilst knowing how to solve problems. Our curriculum develops the character of our students, building resilience, confidence and independence through problem solving. Our inclusive curriculum ensures that our students contribute positively to the life of the school and their local community through the skills that they have gained in Maths/IT and Computing. The objectives support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond.

Detailed curriculum intent statements for Maths can be accessed here.

Detailed curriculum intent statements for IT and Computing can be accessed here.

Course overviews
GCSE Maths (AQA)

• Three 90-minute papers at the end of Year 11. One paper is non-calculator, the other two are non-calculator. There are six strands:
• number
• algebra
• geometry
• ratio & proportion
• probability
• statistics

A Level Maths (Edexcel)

• Three papers at the end of Year 13
• Two 120-minute papers on Core Maths
• One 120-minute paper on Statistics/Mechanics

Further A Level Maths (Edexcel)

• Four papers at the end of Year 13
• Two 120-minute papers on Core Maths
• Two 120-minute papers on a module to be discussed

Computer Science and IT
Key Stage 3

Year 7

• Understanding Computers - knowing and understanding the basics
• Logo - learn the basics of coding
• Control Systems with Flowol - solving problems with flowcharts

Year 8

• Games Programming in Scratch - design and program computer games
• Spreadsheet Modelling - develop and test models
• Graphics - discover bitmap and vector graphics

Year 9

• Computation Thinking - programming in Scratch
• Programming with Microbits - creating small programs to control devices
• Database Development - build and interrogate and data
• Creating a video - script, film and edit an advertisement
• Animation - fireworks frame by frame animation
• HTML and website development - planning out user interfaces and app development

Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5
GCSE Computer Science (OCR)

• Two 90-minute papers at the end of Year 11
• One paper is on computer systems
• One on computational thinking, algorithms and programming

BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology (Pearson)

• Coursework includes a 90-minute written on Effective Digital Practices
• Two coursework units:
• Collecting, Presenting and Interpreting Data and Exploring User Interface Design
• Principles and Project Planning Techniques

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Information Technology (Pearson):
This is a one year or two year course with an exam in each year and a coursework project to complete. The four areas covered are:

Unit 1 - Information Technology (two hour exam)

Unit 2 - Creating Sytems to Manage information (five hour exam)

Unit 3 – Using Social Media in Business

Unit 4 – Spreadsheet Modelling

Curriculum and assessment maps can be accessed here

Recovery curriculum
In Maths, IT and Computing, we are striving to ensure that students catch up with their learning and that exam classes still achieve highly, despite the disruption due to Covid-19. A key part of this is identifying gaps in students’ understanding or knowledge and then addressing gaps in a timely manner. This is being done through amended schemes of work and use of Satchel quizzes to test factual knowledge and skills. In addition, a Maths Learning Champion has been employed to work with small groups of students who need extra support with Mathematics.

Drop-in sessions are arranged by individual teachers.