Students at Co-op Academy Bebington study Computer Science to help them think in a logical and rational manner and to improve their decision making and problem solving skills. We investigate the importance of technology both in today’s society and in the future and evaluate the impact and implications arising from the use of computer systems.  This allows us to develop creative and original strategies for the improvement of computer systems and to investigate possible future technologies and their uses.

We learn about how the hardware and software elements of computer systems work together and develop the skills to program systems and understand how computers communicate using networks. Our intent is to promote computational thinking and digital creativity. We are passionate that our students should develop the foundations to enable them to be discerning, life-long learners in a fast moving technological landscape. We want the students to assess the effects of this sometimes disruptive influence, the ethical issues arising and make changes based on a comprehensive understanding of the technology sector.

The curriculum design ensures learners have the experience and awareness to stay safe online and use computers safely both during their education and in their future life.  There is a clear focus on the development of resilient learners, able to analyse and repair mistakes and effectively solve problems. The curriculum is designed to enable all students to develop their talents and aspire to a career in IT.  They are supported and encouraged to make appropriate choices and develop their capabilities, creativity and knowledge in Computer Science or Interactive iMedia.

Students will develop skills in time management, project planning and assessing a target audience, to better prepare them for a career in an increasingly interconnected world using an ever widening range of  interconnected devices.  They will be ready and eager to take their place as confident citizens in a world where technology is providing an ever widening range of opportunities. 

Staff members

Mr P McLaughlin – Curriculum Coordinator (Acting)

Mr M Hughes  

Mrs T Jones

Mr J Toner

Year 7

• The impact of Technology & Use of Media
• Modelling Data using Spreadsheets
• Networks from Semaphores to the Internet
• Programming Essentials in Scratch
• Coding Fundamentals in Minecraft
• First Steps in Small Basic

Year 8

• Computing Systems
• Graphics
• Developing for the Web
• Introduction to Python Programming
• Mobile App Development
• Data Representations

Year 9

• Cybersecurity
• Media Animations
• Representations – going Audiovisual
• Python Programming
• Data Science
• Physical Computing

At KS4 students have the option to study either Computer Science or Creative Interactive Media according to their interests, aptitude and career aspirations.

OCR GCSE Computer Science

Computer Science students study how computers work, how to write programs and how data is collected, stored and used in applications. They design and write programs in the Python programming language and have the opportunity to explore other programming languages.

Topics covered

Year 10

• CPU – Different Types and how they work
• Computer Storage
• Data Collection and how it is stored 
• Networks and how they are built and used
• Threats to computer systems and how to prevent them
• Different operating systems 
• Different types of software and how they are used
• Ethical and legal issues of using computers and storing information

Year 11

• Computational thinking using flowcharts and logic to solve problems
• Searching and sorting data 
• Creating computer programs 
• Different types of data and information needed for a computer system to work
• Designing programs defensively to make them secure
• Logic and critical thinking 

OCR Cambridge National Creative Interactive Media 

Creative Interactive Media students develop their knowledge in a number of key areas in this field from pre-production skills to digital production, including animation, photography, web development, gaming and animation.  The course equips students with the wide range of knowledge and skills needed to work in the creative digital media sector.

Topics covered

Year 10

• Pre-production Skills – Students understand pre-production skills used in the creative and digital media sector. They develop an understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques that form part of the planning and creation process. Students will be able to plan pre-production of a creative digital media product.
   
• Graphics – Students learn to use digital graphics editing for the creative and digital media sector, looking at where and why digital graphics are used and what techniques are involved in their creation.  Students develop learners’ understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques as part of the planning and creation process. They will 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.

Year 11

• Creating Interactive Multimedia Products – Interactive multimedia products are used widely in everyday life and in the creative and digital media sector. They are used in computer games, mobile phone applications, presentations and many other areas.  Students learn the basics of interactive multimedia products for the creative and digital media sector, where and why interactive multimedia is used and the features of interactive multimedia. They interpret a client brief, use time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques as part of the planning and creation of an interactive multimedia product.
   
•  Designing a Game Concept – Students identify core features of digital games and gain the knowledge to create a games design concept proposal that can be presented to a client.  Students understand the planning and designing of digital games for the creative digital media sector. They will know about different types of digital games and where they are used, be able to plan and design a digital game concept and present a game proposal to a client or focus group.

OCR Cambridge Technical in IT – Extended Certificate

The qualification consists of a range of centre-assessed units with a practical and technical basis as well as examined units on the Fundamentals of IT, Global Information, Cyber Security, and Cloud Technology.  The qualification is highly focussed on the current needs in the IT and communications industry and the Cybersecurity world.

Year 12

Fundamentals of IT 

• Computer Hardware & Software Systems
• Business IT Systems
• Employability and Communication Skills for the IT Industry 
• Ethical and operational issues in computer usage
• Threats to computer systems and how to protect against them

The Internet of Everything

• Understand what is meant by the Internet of Everything (IoE)
• Be able to use existing technologies to create new systems using the data collected and the network capabilities of the IoE
• Be able to present ideas for new system designs and developments which use the Internet of Everything

Year 13

Global Information

• Understand where information is held around the world and how it is transmitted across countries and organisations
• Understand the different types of information collected and used 
• Understand how global information is used and the benefits it can provide to individuals and organisations
• Investigate the legal and regulatory framework governing the storage and use of global information
• Understand the many of the principles of data security and how to keep systems safe and secure

Cyber Security

• Students learn what is meant by cyber security
• Understand the issues surrounding cyber security and how they affect organisations, businesses and individuals
• Learn about the measures that can be used to protect against cyber security incidents and threats
• Understand how to manage cyber security incidents when they occur.

Project Management

• Learn about different ways to plan and manage projects
• Design and plan a project 
• Execute the project you have designed and planned 
• Evaluation the project undertaken to identify improvements

Qualifications in Computer Science and IT can provide a pathway to a multitude of careers including the following.  The constantly changing nature of Computing means that new career opportunities are emerging all the time.  

• Games Developer
• Computer Security Consultant
• Web Designer
• Applications Programmer
• Systems Programmer
• Multimedia Programmer
• Systems Analyst
• Computer Sales Support
• Database Administrator
• IT Technical Support Officer
• IT Consultant

A qualification in Interactive Media can provide a pathway to any of the following careers.   As the digital media platforms continue to expand the requirement for individuals with these skills continues to expand. 

• Social media specialist
• Video game designer
• Web developer
• Video editor
• Digital media photographer
• Animator
• Graphic designer
• Web analytics specialist