Key Stage 3
Students will follow a core scheme of work that covers a wide range of programs and applications. The new National Curriculum guidelines in Computing are being followed at KS3. This is giving students access to Computing software and programmes as well as the more traditional ICT type of software students may be more familiar with.

For computing, students will use software packages such as Kodu, Scratch and Logo to help them with their programme of study. This will involve producing mini projects using the programming software. This will help them if they choose to go on to do computer programming at KS4. We also use the BBC Microbit to help with programming.

Students in Key Stage 3 will also look to develop skills in a number of other applications that vary from using graphics packages such as Fireworks and Photoshop, website design using Dreamweaver and animations using adobe Flash.

Students will complete projects using Microsoft software such as Excel (Spreadsheets), Access (Database), PowerPoint, Publisher and Word. This is to further develop existing ICT skills that the students may have developed at primary school.

Overall, the programme of study at KS3 is very broad and covers a wide range of computer programmes and software packages and it provides a balanced curriculum. All of the work undertaken in Key Stage 3 is to give the students a wide range of skills that will help them in their Key Stage 4 studies.

Key Stage 4
For current year 11 all students do GCSE ICT
For current year 10 GCSE ICT and GCSE Computer Science are offered as Option Subjects. We currently use OCR specifications for both option choices.
GCSE ICT 
In year 11 all students do a GCSE in ICT. The specification that we use currently is OCR GCSE ICT.
The GCSE course is a two-year course that the students begin at the beginning of Year 10. The course covers a wide range of topics and includes both practical elements and theory. The practical elements include completing two pieces of coursework and the general use of ICT skills. The coursework is worth 60% of the final grade. Students will undertake two pieces of coursework:
Coursework 1 (compulsory): a spreadsheet / database task
Coursework 2: a choice of completing a website based task or a multimedia task.
The exam is worth 40% of the final grade and it is split into two exams (Both 20%). The first exam is a ‘seen’ paper where by the students are given a scenario that they must answer questions on. Students do get preparation time for this. The second exam is ‘unseen’ and it provides a test of the students’ knowledge from the theory lessons they receive.

In 2016 ICT was a compulsory subject at Harrop Fold. 61.1% of students achieved a grade C or higher and the progress rates for students was 61.9% which is in line with the National Average.

Computer Science

At Harrop Fold in Computer Science we follow the OCR Computer Science course. This course is 100% examination with a compulsory programming project.
Unit 1 focus’s on computer systems and the functions of different computer systems. This is assessed by a 90 minute examination at the end of year 11.
Unit 2 focus’s on the algorithmic and computational thinking element and different programming techniques. This is assessed by a 90 minute examination at the end of year 11.
This course leads very well onto A-Levels in both Computer Science and ICT. Potential computer Programmers should definitely consider taking this course. This subject is also part of the EBAC in bucket 2. An exam board recommendation of this course is for students who are sitting the higher mathematics paper or are in the top two sets in mathematics due to the heavy programming and computational thinking element.

OCR CAMBRIDGE NATIONALS IN I MEDIA – (ICT option 1)
What will I study?
Creative elements of ICT including: Website, photo editing, sound and video editing
Pathways Progression
This course will lead students on a variety of pathways. This can lead to A-Levels in ICT and computer science and could lead you onto many careers in the ICT and media industry.
BTEC Technical Awards DIGITAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT Option 2)
What will I study?
Over the course you will study all the different elements of ICT and to up skill yourself for the real world of work.
This course has 2 controlled assessments and also 1 examination which will all be completed during years 9, 10 and 100.
Pathways Progression
This course is ideal for anyone who wants to study A-Levels in either ICT or Computer Science or wants to use ICT as a tool in their future profession. This course is a great way of up skilling yourself ready for the real world.
This is also highly recognised by employers and further educational providers.