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Ridgewood School

Ridgewood School

ICT and Computing

Our ICT Department take on the ambitious challenge of ‘Developing confidence and curiosity in ICT and Computing, continually aiming to solve problems in the most efficient and effective way.’

Through the ICT and Computing Curriculum at Ridgewood School, we encompass the knowledge, understanding and skills of the ICT world. This is developed through problem-solving and computational thinking. We offer a multitude of topics which will develop independent, creative learners who have a broad and balanced awareness of ICT in society. We endeavour to provide a creative, engaging curriculum which inspires our students for their future pathways.

Our IT and Computing Curriculum will provide students with the opportunity to: 

  • Become safe users of technology and the internet. 
  • Use the school IT systems effectively, including for remote learning. 
  • Become familiar with a range of software to support their progression. 
  • Develop computational thinking skills to create and engage with script-based programming. 
  • Be supported with their creativity and independence throughout their learning.  

Please get in touch via the enquiry form on our Contact Us page. Should you have any further questions about our IT and Computing Curriculum, please contact Mrs Brasier, Curriculum Lead.

KS3

Our KS3 curriculum is designed to encompass the skills, knowledge and understanding of the IT world. We offer a multitude of topics to develop independent and creative learners who have a broad and balanced awareness of ICT in our society. Our curriculum also gives an insight into topics delivered at KS4 whilst concurrently developing discrete ICT skills for use across the school.  

Year 7 

In Year 7 pupils are given an overview of ICT and Computing topics. In the first unit of work, they are introduced to the school systems; developing transferable skills to use across other subjects. The units of work are as follows. 

Unit 1 – Digital Devices 

Unit 2 - E-Safety 

Unit 3 - Scratch Programming 

Unit 4 - Computer Hardware 

Unit 5 - EduBlocks Programming 

All classwork tasks are set through OneNote and pupils have access to OneDrive to save their files.  

The following websites are useful to support Year 7 pupils: 

Scratch - Imagine, Program, Share (mit.edu) 

https://edublocks.org/ 

  

Year 8 

In Year 8 pupils begin exploring digital devices and their components. They then study business related topics and consider different business types and the use of ICT in business. They then use tools to create promotional materials using Canva online. Lastly pupils consider the ethical implications of developments in computing.  

Unit 1 – Digital Devices (2) 

Unit 2 - Business Enterprise 

Unit 3 – Digital Graphics 

Unit 4 - Computational Ethics 

Unit 5 – Advertising 

All classwork and home learning tasks are set through OneNote and pupils have access to OneDrive to save their files.  

The following websites are useful to support Year 8 pupils: 

Home - Canva 

Python Tutorial (w3schools.com) 

  

Year 9 

In Year 9 pupils are given an insight into some of the topics covered in KS4 courses within the faculty from Computer Science, Business Studies and iMedia and also from areas outside the curriculum. Pupils will also have the opportunity to develop their programming skills further. The following units are delivered: 

Unit 1 – Artificial Intelligence 

Unit 2 – Python Programming 

Unit 3 – Digital Media 

Unit 4 – Cyber Security 

Unit 5 - Finance 

All classwork and home learning tasks are set through OneNote and pupils have access to OneDrive to save their files.  

The following websites are useful to support Year 9 pupils: 

Python Tutorial (w3schools.com) 

Home - Canva 

 

KS4

There are two IT-based qualifications available at KS4: Computer Science (OCR) and iMedia (OCR Cambridge Nationals).

Useful web links: