Computing

Click here to view our Computing staff (Faculty of Creative Arts and Technology)

By the time students leave Lakelands, we aim for all of them to be independent and discriminating users of Technology, whether it is on a computer, a laptop, a smart phone, a tablet and other smart devices.

We want students to have a solid understanding of what makes up a computer and a computer network, how they actually work, and how they can be programmed. We also want all students to be able to effectively use a range of software commonly found in colleges, universities and work places.

Course overview

In Year 7 the students study:

• e-safety,
• Core Word Processing and Desktop Publishing skills
• Introductory programming concepts in Kodu and Scratch,
• Basic spreadsheets in Ms Excel
• Computer Hardware and how a computer works
   

In Year 8, the curriculum covers:

• Making a website both by using software and by coding it in HTML5 and CSS3
• Managing a shop using Introductory database techniques
• The risks and consequences of cyberbullying and sharing images and videos
• Introduction to Vector and Bitmap graphics
• Using intermediate programming concepts to make a game in Scratch, and to control Robots
• An introduction to search and sorting algorithms
• An introduction to Python programming
   

The year 9 course includes:

• Learning how to program using Python, a professional text based language
• Intermediate spreadsheet and modelling skills
• Designing Apps
• Computer Networks and the Internet
• Network risks and security
• Encryption and basic cyphers
• An integrated business project 
   

At Key Stage 4, in years 10 and 11, students can study OCR GCSE Computer Science, where they develop their knowledge of coding, algorithms, computational thinking and computer hardware

To help us deliver this, we use a wide range of industry standard hardware and software including:

• Several dedicated ICT Suites with 30+ networked computers in each using Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365
• Kodu (Microsoft) and Scratch (MIT) - for game making
• HTML5, CSS and basic JavaScript - for website development
• Python 3 for an introduction to Object Oriented Programming
   

For more information regarding the GCSE syllabus followed at Lakelands Academy please click here to view OCR Exam Board information.

If you require any further information regarding the Computing curriculum at Lakelands please click here to contact our Computing teacher.