- Home
- Academy
- For Parents
- Academy Careers Programme
- Admissions, Appeals & Post 16 Admissions
- Attendance and Punctuality
- Ofsted Reports
- Term Dates & Times
- Examinations
- Extra Curricular
- Letters Home
- Lunch Menu
- Mobile Phones
- OBA Performance
- Ofsted Parent View
- Parent Champions @ OBA
- Parents Evenings
- Closure Information
- Contact Staff
- 6th Form
- Safeguarding
- Celebrating Success
- Vacancies
- Contact Us
Computing and IT
Introduction
Welcome to the Computing and IT department.
With two dedicated iMac rooms and a comprehensive selection of modern equipment and software we provide students with a wide range of computer skills and experience that can be used throughout the school and beyond.
In key stage 3 students have one lesson per week, those choosing the subject in key stage 4 have three lessons per week.For more information on the department, including syllabus details, please select the appropriate link below.
The link below will give you access to the bespoke OBA web page for Computing and IT, from here you will be able to access a variety of resources including:
● Past papers and mark schemes
● Google drive
● Show my homework
● Student portal
● Scratch
● Code academy
● Python coder
http://bushfield.it
- In Year 7 pupils begin by exploring the school network and the various systems in place including email, Google Drive and ShowMyHomework. Pupils then move on to examine methods of presenting information and data with a particular emphasis on workplace skills including word processing, effective presentations and spreadsheets. Pupils then spend several weeks exploring e-safety issues from viruses and phishing to social media and cyberbullying. Later in the year pupils will investigate aspects of computer aided design through 3D modelling software before completing the year with an introduction to game design and development using Scratch.
- In Year 8 pupils begin by examining the layout and stylistic conventions of print media and develop the skills needed to create effective magazines and posters using InDesign. In preparation for their Year 9 options pupils will then spend time translating and developing their programming skills from Year 7 using Python, a text-based programming language. Pupils will learn the fundamental processes of sequence, selection and iteration and gain a better of understanding of the requirements of GCSE Computer Science. Pupils then further develop their CAD skills using Blender, a sophisticated 3D modelling application. Pupils will also explore web development fundamentals, learning the basics of html and css in order to code a website. Later in the year pupils will learn about vector graphics and learn to create vector artwork using Illustrator.
- OCR Creative iMedia
In Year 9 pupils spend time learning to use the software required to complete their coursework projects. A range of software and skills are covered from graphic design using Photoshop to web development using both coded html and drag-and-drop software. Time is spent looking in detail at the different types of documents that are required in the completion of a project from start to finish, including pre-production analysis, mind maps, mood boards, visual designs, storyboards, production records, testing and evaluation. Pupils will learn how to identify audience and purpose and how to ensure that the requirements of a given brief are satisfied.
AQA GCSE Computer Science
Pupils will spend a lot of Year 9 developing their understanding of algorithms and programming logic. There is a heavy focus on the use of flowcharts, pseudocode and logic diagrams in addition to high-level coding skills using the Python programming language. Throughout the year pupils are provided opportunities to work on individual and group projects in order to encourage independence and collaboration and to provide experience of designing, developing and testing solutions to problems. Towards the end of Year 9 pupils will begin to apply their skills and understanding to exam topics. Knowledge and understanding is assessed through regular homework tasks and exam questions. - OCR Creative iMedia
R082 Coursework - Creating digital graphics
The aim of this unit is for pupils to understand the basics of digital graphics editing for the creative and digital media sector. They will learn where and why digital graphics are used and what techniques are involved in their creation. This unit will develop pupils' understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques as part of the planning and creation process. On completion of this unit pupils will understand the purpose and properties of digital graphics and know where and how they are used. They will be able to plan the creation of digital graphics, create new digital graphics using a range of editing techniques and review a completed graphic against a specific brief.
R085 Coursework - Creating a multipage website
This unit will enable pupils to understand the basics of creating multi page websites. It will enable learners to demonstrate their creativity by combining components to create a functional, intuitive and aesthetically pleasing website. It will allow them to interpret a client brief and to use planning and preparation techniques when developing a multi page website. On completion of this unit pupils will be able to explore and understand the different properties, purposes and features of multi page websites; plan and create a multipage website and review the final website against a specific brief.
AQA GCSE Computer Science
In Year 10 pupils will work through a wide range of topics related to algorithms and computational logic in preparation for Paper 1. Topics include data types and structures, searching and sorting algorithms, inputs and outputs, problem solving, binary and data representation. Knowledge and understanding is assessed through regular homework tasks and exam questions.
In the second half of the year pupils will complete the non-exam assessment aspect of their GCSE course, which assesses their ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve a practical programming problem. Pupils will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem-solving in order to design, code and test a program in response to a given problem. The non-exam assessment is completed in class under controlled conditions over a number of sessions totalling 20 hours.
- OCR Creative iMedia
R092 Coursework - Game development
This unit will enable learners to understand the fundamentals of game development. It will enable pupils to demonstrate their design and logic skills in the creation of a fully working game using the Scratch programming environment. The unit will allow them to interpret a client brief and to use planning and preparation techniques when developing a game. On completion of this unit pupils will be able to explore and understand the different properties, purposes and features of games; plan and create a game and review the final game against a specific brief.
R081 Exam - Pre-production skills
Planning is an essential part of working in the creative and digital media sector. This unit will enable pupils to understand pre-production skills used in the creative and digital media sector. It will develop their understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques that form part of the planning and creation process. They will further develop the knowledge and skills that underpin the creation of digital media products. On completion of this unit, learners will understand the purpose and uses of a range of pre-production techniques. This unit is assessed through a 1 hour 15 minute exam.
AQA GCSE Computer Science
In Year 11 pupils will revise and consolidate their knowledge for Paper 1 and work through a range of topics for Paper 2 including computer hardware and software, boolean login, programming languages, assembly and machine code, networks, cyber security and the wider ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on society. Knowledge and understanding is assessed through regular homework tasks and exam questions. The course is assessed through two written 1 hour 30 minute exams at the end of Year 11.
Paper 1: Computational thinking and problem solving (50%)
A mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions assessing practical problem solving and computational thinking skills.
Paper 2: Written assessment (50%)
A mix of multiple choice, short answer, longer answer and extended response questions assessing theoretical knowledge.
Cambridge Technical Level 3 - Application Developer Pathway Unit 1 - Fundamentals of IT (exam) Unit 2 - Global Information (exam) A sound understanding of IT technologies and practices is essential for IT professionals. This unit will discuss the fundamentals of hardware, networks, software, the ethical use of computers and how businesses use IT.
The knowledge, skills and understanding you develop in this unit will underpin your study for the other units.
Knowledge gained in the study of this unit will also help prepare you for relevant industry qualifications such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Mobility+ and Cisco IT Essentials.
Good management of both data and information is essential and can give any organisation a competitive edge.
This unit will provide you with a greater understanding of the different types of data and information used in the IT industry. You will learn how organisations use information in the public domain, in the cloud and across the Internet.
This unit will also help you to understand the legislation and regulation governing information which flows into and out of an organisation and the constraints and limitations that apply to it.
Cambridge Technicals in ICT Level 3 - Application Developer Pathway Unit 6 Application Design Unit 15 Game Design and Prototyping Unit 21 Web Design and Prototyping The world is increasingly reliant on applications that help individuals, business and organisations achieve their goals. This unit explores the process of taking an application from concept through to design. This unit is completed in combination with Unit 21 Web Design and Prototyping.
You will gain a technical understanding of application design and will also learn key transferable skills about liaising with clients: effective communication, assessing client requirements that inform your design, presenting your ideas to an audience and getting feedback from them.
This unit supports the development of skills, knowledge and understanding appropriate to a wide range of job roles within mobile technology, business software, graphics, games and web design to name but a few.
Gaming is a continuously developing market. There are a number of platforms available for amateur and professional game developers to release games that they have designed and developed.
This unit will help you develop skills in designing and developing a prototype for a simple game. It will enable you to consider the logic of the programming structures required, as well as the interface design. You will then build a prototype to demonstrate an element of your game.
Organisations are increasingly reliant on their website to market goods or services and interact with clients and customers.
In this unit you will research, design and produce an interactive responsive website that is specific to a client’s needs, culminating in presenting the concept of the website using the prototype to the client.
You will learn about the security risks within website design, and how to minimise these threats. This unit will allow you to incorporate existing interactive elements as well as prototyping your own website.
