Computer Studies, Business and ICT
Head of Department
Mrs Catherine Coulthard
Qualifications
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Bachelor of Science First Class (Hons) degree in Business and Management Studies
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PGCE in Business Education with QTS
“Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think”
Steve Jobs
Pleckgate High School’s computing curriculum aims to equip pupils with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a rapidly changing technological world, skills such as problem solving, computational thinking and digital literacy. These skills have many applications beyond the field of computing and will serve our pupils well in almost every field of work.
Our curriculum incorporates the National Curriculum key concepts in detail, revisiting and developing them further as pupils’ progress but also expands further by including units such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Pupils will gain a solid grounding in the fundamentals of computer programming and how computers can be used to solve real-world problems. Pupils work with a variety of hardware platforms including Raspberry Pi computers, Arduino and Microbit microcontrollers, robotics and virtual reality. In an increasingly digital world, future careers are likely to be in areas such as security, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and automation – our curriculum has been designed to give pupils experience in these areas and prepare them for their digital future.
As pupils’ progress and depending on their future aspirations, two separate pathways are followed : Computer Science curriculum or Creative iMedia and Business.
Computer Science is an increasingly important subject in today’s connected digital world and is designed to introduce pupils to some of the founding concepts in Computer Science and develop their understanding of how computers can be used to solve problems. Pupils will gain experience using a modern text-based programming language (Python) that is widely used in professional contexts.
Business equips pupils with a knowledge and understanding of key business concepts, terminology, business objectives, the integrated nature of business activity and the impact of business on individuals and wider society. Pupils will learn how to understand contemporary issues as well as different types and sizes of businesses in local, national and global contexts.
The Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia qualification is a vocational digital skills course to equip pupils with creative media skills and transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and effectively communicating creative concepts. Pupils will use these skills to develop creative media products to meet client requirements.
Regardless of which pathway a pupil chooses, Pleckgate pupils are experienced in the use of e-learning and digital technology with the school operating 1:1 device program. The new curriculum also leverages the power of Google Classroom and the Google productivity suite. We also offer an enrichment programme that allows pupils to experiment with hardware and technology, develop programming skills, participate in national competitions and develop their understanding of cybersecurity.
Computer Science
- Learning Journey Year 7
- Learning Journey Year 8
- Learning Journey Year 9
- Learning Journey Year 10
- Learning Journey Year 11
Creative i Media
Business Studies
