The greatest danger for most of us is not that we aim too high and miss it, but that we aim too low and we reach it. - Michelangelo

YEAR 11 GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE RESOURCES 

We believe that Computer Science and Business are fundamental aspects of any education.

To develop the required skills and abilities within each pupil we endeavour to provide a stimulating and exciting environment where students can develop their computer programming, digital media and business skills whether they are studying for examinations or as an introduction to the subject. We strive for excellence and aim to expose students to as much computer programming and business as possible.

The BITE faculty prides itself on making its learning as meaningful, enjoyable and accessible to all students whilst promoting the confidence and desire in the students to produce work of quality. In order to achieve these objectives an understanding of the formal programming strategies and business methods is essential, together with a technical competence in a wide range of software and programming languages. Practical demonstrations are central to the teaching ethos of the faculty, providing an effective means of introducing new skills and techniques whilst generating confidence in the students.

What we teach and when we teach it - Computer Science

What we teach and when we teach it - Business

BITE Team

• Mrs Scott - Director of Learning
• Mrs Balu - Assistant Director of Learning
• Ms Greenwood

Teaching staff within the faculty offer a wide range of specialist areas. These include computer programming, web design, computer game design, business and entrepreneurship. Computer Science and Business is taught within an environment which encourages pupils to become resourceful in their approach to work, and to build on basic skills as they progress through the various courses and projects offered.

Intent

We aim to engender a love of learning, self-belief and aspiration through several intentions that are unpacked further. Those intentions are removing barriers to learning; developing knowledge and skills for learning in a range of subjects; developing personal attributes and to enrich students’ experiences and broaden their horizons.

Through our curriculum provision we intend to develop:

• To provide an environment where pupils find the programming process enjoyable and rewarding.
• To develop thinking skills and approaches to problem solving and design of software.
• To develop the capacity for creative thought and action; the ability to innovate, initiate and make effective personal responses.
• To develop intellectual, technical and perceptive skills needed to become an outstanding computer programmer.
• To develop the creative and technical skills needed to become a web designer and computer game designer.
• Learn how to value and judge constructively their own work and the work of other’s.
• To develop social skills through participation in group projects and through shared experiences
• To develop the potential for further study through the use and understanding of different programming languages and software
• To promote independent learning, in particular to encourage all students (especially KS4/5) to work in the faculty after school on a regular basis
• The overall aim of the business studies curriculum is to prepare students for later life.  We aim to give students the transferable skills of financial management, presentation skills, public speaking, persuasion and negotiation, organisation skills and self-management.
• Entrepreneurship and Enterprise skills development are inherent across the business programme of study and whilst not all our students will start their own business they will all be impacted by business through their own working lives and the businesses they need as a global citizen.To be politically and economically aware and ready to face both the challenges of, and make a difference to, life in modern democratic Britain.  
• Students studying business will become aware of how economic issues impact their lives.  The effects of changes in society, technological change and the legal structures we work in are all examined.
• To learn about the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs and will understand the need for hard work, ambition, self-belief, determination and motivation to succeed in every walk of life.
• To provide opportunities for students to learn more about business careers and meet with local business people, give them an understanding of different types of business and an appreciation of calculated risk-taking.

Implementation

Computer Science is the study of the principles and use of Computers. Its study will make you question how the systems that you use in a modern day society work and encourage you to explore the concepts behind the technology you use and to develop skills to become a creator of technology yourself.

From Year 7 you will have the exciting opportunity to develop and consolidate basic ICT skills that will allow you to access more complex Computer Science concepts. From there you will study the four cornerstones of Computational Thinking, these are crucial as they can be applied to any Computer Science context and will provide firm foundations for other topics within the subject. From this, key programming constructs can be learnt, allowing you to develop programming skills in more than one environment, this will help you to understand key similarities between different programming environments and develop key skills in problem solving and debugging. These skills will be further consolidated and mastered in text-based programming languages throughout your study, applying the cornerstones of Computational Thinking in a wealth of scenarios to develop your problem solving skills.

Computer Science theory is also explored, looking ‘under the bonnet’ of the computer systems that you use on a day-to-day basis. Key systems hardware are investigated, including how networks are formed, the inherent security risks that networked devices produce and how to mitigate against these risks. Computer Security is currently one of the biggest risks to national security, is relevant, interesting, and provides you with knowledge that can help you become a responsible e-citizen. Your study of Computer Science will encourage you to think deeply and help you more effectively to become a resilient problem solver that understands the technological world in which we live – a great life skill that all universities and employers will appreciate.

Across your study you will explore fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation. You will analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs. Furthermore, the subject will teach you to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically and understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society. Lessons will provide a wide range of opportunities for practical application of key concepts through a chosen programming language as well as plentiful opportunities for you to investigate how computers work. In addition, there will be opportunities for extended discussion about the ethical, moral and social implications of technology in society.

Studying business will equip you with sound specialist knowledge and skills for everyday use. It will challenge all you by introducing you to demanding material and skills.

You will be encouraged to be independent and creative through the task you are given

The curriculum design will allow you to explore more deeply the things that interest you as well as providing a good opportunity to enhance your learning in a range of curriculum areas.

You will use your learning in practical, real-life situations, such as:  Carrying out market research ; Planning a new product and pitching it to a panel of experts ; Reviewing whether a business proposal is financially viable.

You will develop independence and confidence in using skills that would be relevant to the Business and Enterprise sector.

You will complete practical activities that build on theoretical knowledge so that you can put your learning into practice while also developing valuable transferable skills such as: Verbal Communication/Presentation; Research; Analytical Skills and Digital Presentation.

Impact

We will assess if we are having the positive impact we aim for through regular monitoring (for example book scrutinies and learning walks) to ensure we are leading to positive progress for all. The curriculum will be evident across all lessons and students will be able articulate their learning confidently. This will also be reflected in student voice surveys, with students indicating that they are engaged and enjoying their BITE lessons.

We will continually review and reflect on how the curriculum is designed to ensure that students remember what they have been taught.  This regular review cycle ensures that we have a curriculum pathway that promotes success for all learners and ensures that the BITE curriculum is appropriate and fully differentiated for all students.

Through completion of the internal assessments students will develop independence and confidence in using skills that would be relevant to the business and enterprise sector