Key Stage 3 Computing
The final half term sees KS3 Computing being a little creative when learning some basics within Information Technology. In Year 7, the girls have been learning all about spreadsheets and are in the process of creating a spreadsheet for a specific scenario that needs to include a range of formulas and charts. The girls are doing this independently and are using the skills taught in the previous lessons to do this.
Year 8 are in the process of designing their own music festival and have planned a website to promote it. The girls will be incorporating a variety of features into their websites, including scrolling text, videos and slideshows. We will be investigating the programming language, HTML, that sits behind the websites and will be challenging the girls to write some HTML codes to help produce their websites.
Year 9 have spent part of this half term looking into technology. This unit has involved the history of computing and technology and the future of technology. We have looked at exciting futuristic products/household devices that will be available on the market in the next few years. The assessment that the girls will have to complete will be to design and develop a new piece of technology/product that will make people’s lives easier. The girls will be extremely creative with their ideas around this design assessment. Here’s hoping we might have a future Anita Roddick (Founder of The Body Shop) here at PGHS!
GCSE Computer Science
This half term has seen the Year 11 cohort complete their GCSE Computer Science CAGs. They have been an absolute pleasure to teach and have worked exceptionally hard and made me extremely proud! Good luck, girls, in your future career paths.
Year 10 have completed all the theory for paper 1, ‘Principles of Computer Science.’ This theory consists of systems architecture and software, looking at data representation including binary, hexadecimal and sound. They have also been learning about how different networks are structured and work. This includes the internet, looking at security of networks and a variety of security issues. Finally, they have also learnt about ethical and environmental issues surrounding Computer Science, including legislation. You have all worked extremely hard this year and I look forward to next year when we will focus on paper 2 and the practical elements of the course.
Mrs Bennett
Curriculum Leader for the C.A.T. Faculty