Computing & Business

Students will learn about the network at Belper School.  They will be introduced to logging in, their own personal account, using Google Classroom and the rules of using the network.  Students will also learn about the threats and keeping themselves and computer safe when using online resources such as the Internet/Digital Technology

Students will be introduced to the concept of computer programming using the software Scratch.  Students will be introduced to selection (if, elif and else), variables and sequence.  This will be introduced through the students creating a working program.

Students will learn about the hardware and software which is needed in a modern computer system.  They will be introduced to the concepts of storage medium, and also the internet of things.  Students will also look at factors affecting the performance of a computer such as memory and processor speed.

Students will be introduced to the Flowol program.  They will understand the flowchart symbols used in flowcharting.  They will understand how these can be used to make instructions and to follow decisions.   Students will create separate flowcharts to control mimics and any subroutines.

Students will learn about spreadsheets and why they are used in the world of work.  They will be introduced to entering data carefully and accurately.  Students will use formulas to work out calculations.  They will create suitable charts and graphs to display data from a spreadsheet in a user-friendly format.

Students will learn about websites and the world wide web.  They will understand the language used in creating a webpage.  They will be introduced to layouts of pages.  They will look at text and image elements on the page.  Students will be able to comment about the layout and performance of a website by looking at it.

Students will look at the origins of Computing through a historical perspective.  They will look at the history of word processing, Moore’s Law, famous figures in Computing such as Babbage, Lovelace, Von Neumann and Turing.  They will look at the impact on Computing that each of these important people have bought.

Students will look at modern Computers and Digital Devices.  They will look at binary and the language used by computers to operate.  Students will look at storage devices and cloud computing.  They will also look at types of operating systems.  Students will also look at different types of computers such as embedded computers and wearable technology.

Students will learn how to program using the Python programming language.  They will be introduced to strings, integers and variables.  They will also be able to create and use selection and iteration statements.  Students will create a quiz program in Python.

Students will be introduced to databases.  They will learn about what databases are used for in society.  Students will enter data carefully and accurately into a database.  Students will also look at the terminology with databases such as Fields, Records and Reports.  Students will learn about and use the features in databases for displaying information in a user-friendly format.

Students will look at features within Spreadsheets to improve user experiences such as Checkboxes and Drop-Down Lists.  They will also look up data from other parts of the spreadsheet using VLOOKUPS.  Students will use these spreadsheets to solve problems.

Students will look at password protocol, such as length and strength.  Students will look at the threats of using computers such as Malware and Phishing.  Students will learn about encryption and how it is used to keep data and information on networks safe from criminals.

Students will look at what a network is and how it is used.  They will look at limitations of different types of networks.  Students will look at the Internet. 

Students will be introduced to the different laws and legislation when using computers and digital technology.  

Binary & Computer Logic

Students will look at Binary.  They will be introduced to what Binary is and why it is used.  They will look at Binary conversion and also adding Binary numbers.  Students will look at logic gates used in Computing.

Students will create a set of business documents for an organisation called Creative Cakes.  These will include a set of Word Processed, Presentation and Desktop Published Documents.  All documents will be produced to a corporate image and design.

The OCR GCSE in Computer Science comprises of three units: two examination papers and a practical programming project

Component 1: Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
50% of the qualification

This component investigates hardware, logical operations, communication, data representation and data types, operating systems, principles of programming, software engineering, program construction, security and data management and the impacts of digital technology on wider society.

Component 2: Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
50% of the qualification

Component 3: Practical Programming Projects
20 timetabled hours

(Component 3 contributes no marks towards the learners qualification grade but students must complete it as part of the course requirements)

This component requires learners to produce a programmed solution to a problem. They must analyse the problem, design a solution to the problem, develop a final programmed solution, test the solution and give suggestions for further development of the solution. Throughout the production of the solution learners are required to produce a refinement log that evidences the development of the solution.

Assessment Structure

Component 1 is assessed by a written examination; Component 2 is assessed by a written examination.  Component 3 is a programming project which needs to be completed by the candidate in class. Component 1 is worth 50% of the mark, and Component 2 is worth 50% of the overall mark.. This qualification is assessed at GCSE from grades 1 to 9.

GCSE Business

Examination Board: Edexcel
Course Code: 1BS0

Why are more people shopping online?  Why are High Street shops closing?  What impact is Brexit having on the UK economy?  Why does things cost more in shops this year?  These are just some of many, many key things that you will find out about by studying Business at GCSE.

Business is a subject that will give you an insight on how the world of work operates.  It will give you an idea about the way businesses recruit employees, how and where they decide to sell their products and also the techniques and skills they employ in order to make a profit.

As part of the course, you will look at both the UK and Global Business environment. You will study topics including Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, eCommerce, Retail/Selling and Laws/Legislations.

This is a very hands on and engaging course, and your lessons will be based within Computing rooms.  You will build on your ongoing Computing skills within lessons using software applications such as spreadsheet, word processing and presentation.  You will also be using the Internet as part of researching and investigating business.  You will be looking at case studies and also have the opportunity to work within small groups within lesson.  As part of your study you will look at real life business organisations

Assessment Structure

The course is assessed by 2 written examination papers which are taken at the end of Year 11.

Paper 1 : Investigating Small Business (1BS0/01) – 90 marks , 90 minutes, 50% towards the final GCSE grade.

Paper 2 : Building a Business (1BS0/02) – 90 marks, 90 minutes, 50% towards the final GCSE grade.

Both examinations are a standard tier paper.

Career Pathway

Students who study this course have the option of pursuing the course to Level 3 study at sixth form or college.  There are also apprenticeship pathways available for students working within a business environment.  This course can lead towards careers in accounting and finance, business administration, human resources, marketing, social media marketing, advertising, ecommerce and retail.

Examination Board: OCR
Course Code: 9H446

A Level Computer Science

The 3 unit A-Level in Computer Science is for students who enjoy studying Computer Science and wish to continue it into Sixth Form. Students will have the opportunity to look at the latest issues effecting the world of Computing, as well as developing their coding and problem solving skills to meet the needs of a real world end user. This course is ideally suited for students that are engaged and passionate about Computing and who are looking to further develop their programming skills and understanding in a
supportive environment.

Are you interested in:

Creating and developing solutions using programming languages
Understanding how computers and computer systems work
Creating and developing a coded project for an end user
Understanding how security and encryption is used in society

Y13 Assessment: Paper 1 (Examination) Paper 2 (Examination) Project (Coursework)

This course allows students to continue the subject in Post 16 from the popular course offered at GCSE. The Computer Science course is excellent for students looking to further advance their programming skills. You will be able to come up with your own solutions to problems.

A Level Business

Examination Board: Edexcel
Course Code: 9BS0

A Level Business will give you an exciting insight into the dynamic world of business. It is not just a theoretical subject it is about real life. You will learn about businesses and the way they operate in today’s society. You will investigate problems which real businesses are currently facing anduse your initiative to develop possible solutions.

Are you interested in:

• Finding out how businesses use advertising to persuade us to purchase products?
• Finding out the impact that world events have on businesses?
• Understanding the different stages of production of different consumer products?
• Understanding the recruitment techniques that businesses use to find new employees?

Assessment

3 two hour papers, each contributing one third of the final mark

A minimum of 10% of the marks will come from mathematical calculations and students have to learn all the relevant formulas

Leading to a career in:

Finance, Insurance or Banking
Marketing and Advertising
Human Resources
Social Media
Administration
Sales
Entrepreneurship