Social Communications

In the Social Communications department, we teach our pupils to be Attentive and Discerning about the choices they make and the effects of their choices. We believe that all Pupils should have the opportunity to follow a rich curriculum in Computing, Enterprise and Film studies that prepares them for life in a modern world and take advantage of opportunity this can offer them in both Britain and the wider world.

The core to the subjects is the understanding of how technology works, can be developed and utilised, and we draw and extend understanding from a range of other subjects outside of IT and Computing including Graphics, Maths, Science and PHSE and embed clear and high quality literacy and numeracy skills through software development, problem solving and evaluation skills.

We provide a broad range of skills and experiences at KS3 which are then further developed as pupils enter KS4.

Good quality IT skills enable pupils to engage positively within the modern workplace, while Computer Science, Business and Film skills enables pupils to take an active part in the design, development and creation of new technologies to be used in the world in which they live.

In Computer Science, pupils develop knowledge, skills and understanding through key computational concepts and experience. Learners gain the opportunity to develop their capability, creativity and knowledge in computer science, digital media and information technology.

In Computer Science pupils will…

Understand and fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science
Be able to apply key algorithms and data representation and mathematical skills through practical and theoretical work.
Understand the key components that make up digital systems and how they communicate
Understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual, wider society, the ethical change s and cultural impacts as well as the positive and negative impacts digital technology has had on the environment
To equip learners with a range of creative media skills and provide opportunities to develop, in context, desirable, transferable skills in areas such as research, planning and evaluation
Plan and develop software using the software design life cycle
Use a range of software design techniques such as flowcharts, pseudocode and visualisation diagrams
Develop key problem solving skills of Abstraction, Decomposition and Algorithmic thinking
Develop key skills and practical experience in script based programming languages and be able to design, write and debug programs to solve non simplistic problems
To be able to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically when solving problems
Be able to make informed decisions on appropriate and efficient coding techniques such as sequence, selection, iteration and the use of functions
To be able to design, Program, evaluate and refine solutions to problems

Enterprise and Marketing equips pupils with the appropriate knowledge and skills needed to develop their employability and identify business problems and opportunities. Lesson materials are engaging to promote topical discussion and encourage pupils to develop an enquiring mind.

In Enterprise and Marketing pupils will…

Undergo primary and secondary research techniques into a range of clients’ needs;
Identify and solve their own problems and the problems of specific clients and target market groups;
Develop products that respond to the needs of clients in a variety of situations;
Develop and communicate their design ideas using a business plan and sales pitch and business proposal.
Engage in an iterative process of design and making;
Undergo primary and secondary research techniques into a range of clients’ needs;
Identify and solve their own problems and the problems of specific clients and target market groups;
Develop products that respond to the needs of clients in a variety of situations;
Develop and communicate their design ideas using a business plan and sales pitch and business proposal.
Investigate new and emerging digital technologies;
Personal project work, analysing how the product fulfils the requirements of the specification and the user’s needs, wants and values;
Recognise how their product can be modified to better meet its intended aim and target audience.

Film Studies is a subject that enables pupils to understand everything presented to them in the Media, whilst enabling them to analyse and debate reasons for its construction. Pupils will also have a chance to create Media products according to their critical understanding.

In Film Studies pupils will…

Analyse how the ongoing digital revolution is transforming the relationship between the media and us.
Learn about what gets included in media products and how these are used to represent products in the market.
Look at how audiences are categorised and targeted differently.
Learn about the industries who produce media products and how these will impact the products themselves and influence consumers.
Analyse a wide range of media products such as moving images, print and advertisements.
Gain an extensive knowledge of media terminology and theory.
Use media analyse how the ongoing digital revolution is transforming the relationship between the media and us.
Learn about what gets included in media products and how these are used to represent products in the market.
Look at how audiences are categorised and targeted differently.
Learn about the industries who produce media products and how these will impact the products themselves and influence consumers.
Analyse a wide range of media products such as moving images, print and advertisements.
Gain an extensive knowledge of media terminology and theory.
Use media software to create a realistic product of their own.
Software to create a realistic product of their own.