Computer Systems
About Us
The CS department within The Fernwood School offers pupils a flexible and streamlined curriculum offering opportunities for pupils to develop their understanding and awareness within 4 core strands:
- Computational Thinking
- Computational Theory
- IT Theory
- Front End Design
Digital technology touches on all aspects of modern-day society, resulting in pupils needing to be able to develop confident and creative ICT skills, essential for both employment and everyday life. ICT capability encompasses not only the mastery of technical skills and techniques, but also the understanding to apply these skills purposefully, safely, and responsibly. The use of ICT supports initiative and independent learning, as pupils can make informed judgements about when and where to use ICT to enhance their learning and the quality of their work. ICT enables rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures and acts as a powerful force for change in society.
A Quality Curriculum
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems, and a range of content.
Learning Journey
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Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. Pupils complete a series of project-based learning with clear curriculum foci to support their understanding or all aspects of CS. This helps prepare pupils for future option choices in Y9 where the following subjects are currently offered:
- OCR Computer Science
- OCR National Creative iMedia
- OCR National IT
- OCR Business
Pupils receive a single 1-hour lesson per week for Computer Systems at KS3 covering the projects from the learning journey’s each with regular assessment and opportunities for parents to review what their child has been learning.
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Faculty Tour
The CS department is comprised of 4 dedicated computing suites each offering 29 computers and access to a departmental printer. All pupils are provided with a personal school email address and access to online storage that is managed by the school. Pupils can access files from home that they have been working on in the classroom allowing for fluency when completing tasks of home learning. The CS department also operates a prefect run lunchtime facility where pupils can book to use the facilities during their lunch break to complete additional tasks.
FAQs:
What do children learn during year 7?
We start Year 7 by introducing some programming basics and look to build upon techniques they may have encountered during their primary education. We then move through a range of projects covering e-safety, data handling, app design and control. We aim to give Year 7 pupils a variety of projects that will inspire them, as well as begin their learning journey into Computer Systems. All our projects incorporate a range of CS skills that provide our pupils with a solid learning foundation should they seek to further this as a KS4 option.
Do pupils get a personal email address?
When starting Fernwood, all pupils are issued with their own personal email address. This address is used to access their own OneDrive online storage facility, giving them access to their files from both home and school. These are synced seamlessly provide access anywhere both on mobile and computer devices provided internet access is available. The use of the hub and email is introduced as part of the Year 7 CS induction lessons at the beginning of the year.
Will my child need any additional equipment for Computer Systems?
No, you do not need to get anything special for Computer Systems. Pupils will often be asked to complete tasks at home as part of your home learning or the end of a project. Much of the software we use is available through MS Teams and if a specific software is required, computer rooms are available for pupils to book at lunchtimes where they can take advantage of the full suite of CS software. Pupils also have full access to the online MS Office suite through their school account which can be accessed through the school hub.