Key Stage 4: Digital Information Technology

Curriculum Intent

Computers are a part of everyday life and technology is becoming more essential to our lives at home and at work. We are committed in making sure that pupils learn the skills that will enable them to be ready for the workplace and to be able to participate effectively and safely in the digital world.

The Computing and Business curriculum has been developed to equip young people with the skills, knowledge and understanding of computers and the business world so that they will be able to use the skills taught in their future lives.

Computing and business also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through the use of this medium.

We aim to:

• Increase pupil’s confidence in using computers and develop their understanding of the business world and its practices.
• Create an engaging curriculum that encourages pupils to want to learn more about computers and business.
• Encourage pupils to make use of computational thinking and problem solving abilities.
• To educate pupils on using the internet safely
• Encourage the use of both numeracy and literacy within their projects.

We are continually aiming to raise the standards of achievement for the pupils at Murray Park.

BTEC First award Level 1 / 2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology

The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology is for pupils who wish to acquire knowledge and technical skills through vocational contexts by studying the knowledge, understanding and skills related to data management, data interpretation, data presentation and data protection as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. This builds on the learning that has already taken place at Key Stage 3.

The Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. The Award complements learning in GCSE programmes, such as the GCSE in Computer Science, by broadening experience and skills participation in different type of activities. It gives learners the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills practically through project work, such as planning and designing a user interface and developing a dashboard to interpret trends in data.

This award consists of the following components:

Component 1– This is an internal assessment that contains 3 learning aims and is worth 30% of the final marks. For each learning aim pupils will need to complete an assignment.

• Learning Aim A- Investigate user interface design for individuals and organisations
• Learning Aim B – Use project planning techniques to plan and design a user interface
• Learning Aim C – Develop and review a user interface

Component 2 – This is an internal assessment that contains 3 learning aims and is worth 30% of the final marks. For each learning aim pupils will need to complete an assignment.

• Learning Aim A – Investigate the role and impact of using data on individuals and organisations
• Learning Aim B – Create a dashboard using data manipulation tools
• Learning Aim C – Draw conclusions and review data presentation methods

Component 3 – This is an external examination that is worth 40% of pupil’s final marks. There are four learning aims that pupils will cover, they are:

• Learning Aim A – Modern Technologies
• Learning Aim B – Cyber Security
• Learning Aim C – Implications of the digital system
• Learning Aim D – Planning and communication

An outline of what students will study during their time at Murray Park School throughout Key Stage 4 computing is set out in the table below:

 

Extra-curricular activities

The department plans to offer an after-school clubs to assist pupils with their studies and to provide a chance to further stretch and challenge their knowledge of the subject. KS4 will have an after school weekly club that can provide support for the more technical aspects of the course and will involve a deeper investigation into developing the more advanced practical computing skills required for the course in addition to support with coursework, this is held on a Monday in a Commit to 6 session.