Computing

Key Stage 3 Computing

The final half term sees KS3 Computing being a little creative or learning some basics in Information Technology.  In Year 7, students 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. Students 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 this. Students will be incorporating a variety of features into their websites, including scrolling text, videos and slideshows. We have been investigating the programming language, HTML that sits behind the websites. The girls have been challenged to write some HTML codes to help produce their websites.

Year 9 are learning about media and have studied some of the theory behind films, looking at a range of audiences and purposes. They have also learned about different narrative structures and character types. They are working in groups and have planned a film trailer for a teenage audience with a purpose of escapism. Students have produced their scripts and have started to film. They will then edit the video clips and incorporate sound effects for the trailer to give them a finished product. I am looking forward to seeing what the students produce, as there are some interesting ideas and some interesting costumes.

GCSE Computer Science

This term has seen the Year 11 cohort complete their GCSE Computer Science exams. They have been an absolute pleasure to teach. They 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 system architecture and software, looking at data representation including binary, hexadecimal and sound. In addition, learning about networks and how different networks are structured and work. This includes the internet, looking at the security of networks and a variety of security issues and finally learning about ethical and environmental issues surrounding Computer Science, including legislation. You have all worked extremely hard and I look forward to next year when we will focus on paper 2 and the practical elements of the course.

Year 7 and 8 Computing Club

Come along to room 50, Monday lunchtime from 12:45pm until 1:15pm. Learn about programming and take part in a variety of cyber security challenges as the weeks progress with the potential to enter competitions nationally. Sign up with Mrs Bennett, room 50. There are only a few spaces left. First come, first served!

Mrs Bennett

Curriculum Leader for the C.A.T. Faculty

Year 10 Product Design

The group have just completed their final mini project, a child’s night light. There have been some wonderful examples made and the students have embraced the use of CAD/CAM equipment including the laser cutter and vinyl cutter, as well as using vacuum forming and soldering all the electronic components. This mini project has built up both their skills in the workshop and also their knowledge of materials, manufacturing process, health and safety and quality control.

Mrs Gornall

Design and Technology

Bake a cake for the Queen Competition

Students celebrated HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee and took part in the ‘Bake a Cake for the Queen’ Competition. Cakes were judged and sold at lunchtime. Just over £57 was raised and all proceeds will go to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (recently supported by HM Queen Elizabeth II). A prize will be given to all entrants, along with a certificate to be presented for their charitable efforts in the final assembly this year. Well done, girls!

Mrs Scott

Teacher of Food Preparation and Nutrition

UCLan – Degree Show Visit & Fashion Extravaganza

In addition to our Photography and Animation Workshop, we also took 15 Year 10 GCSE Art & Photography students to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to see the Degree Show and to engage with a fashion-themed workshop. 

The prestigious Degree Show was led by UCLan’s friendly student ambassadors who showcased the subject areas of Fine Art, Photography, Games Design, Animation, Fashion, Architecture and their numerous Foundation Diplomas.

Towards the end of the visit, we were able to see watch clips from UCLan’s amazing annual fashion show and took park in the ‘Banana Fashion Workshop’, developing clothing for the popular yellow fruit. 

We hope all students left the event feeling inspired and we look forward to visiting next year!

Miss Morris

Lead Teacher of Art

Posted in Art

UCLan – Photography & Animation Workshop / Campus Tour

This term, 30 Year 9 and Year 10 GCSE Photography students visited the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) as part of our Higher Education enrichment offer.  As a faculty, we have long standing ties with local colleges and sixth forms, however, this event was established to raise awareness of higher education and the breadth of courses on offer.

The visit was an amazing day for our students!  We toured around the campus, spoke with current undergraduates and saw highlights from their prestigious Degree Show, currently on exhibition.  Students were able to observe the vast array of courses on offer at UCLan and partake in two themed workshops exploring animation stills and self portraits.

We hope all students enjoyed the day and we look forward to re-visiting UCLan next year!

Miss Morris

Lead Teacher of Art

Posted in Art

GCSE Art Exhibition 2022

On Friday the 1st July, parents, staff, students and friends have the chance to see the talented work of our GCSE Art & Design students during the private viewing event at 3.30pm-6.00pm.  The GCSE Art & Photography Exhibition is set to showcase a range of stunning sketchbooks and design boards as part of the Art & Design coursework. 

During the Festival of Performance and Arts 2022, year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students will also be invited to visit the exhibition during their lessons all week and gain inspiration for their studies.  

May I take this opportunity to thank all the Year 11 Art & Design students and Year 11 Photography students for their hard work, dedication and commitment this year. 

Miss Morris

Lead Teacher of Art

Balancing Equations

A key concept in Chemistry is how to balance equations. This can be a very daunting challenge for many Chemistry students. This week, year 9 students began to balance these equations as part of their GCSE Science course. To balance an equation, the number of atoms of each element must be the same on either side of the arrow. This is because no atoms are lost or gained during a chemical reaction.

Rather than just talking the students through how to do this, we have used Silent Teacher / Silent Student to teach this skill. It involves the students observing the teacher balance the equation using a visualizer and following the different steps involved. They then have a similar equation to balance for themselves on their whiteboards. The students benefit as they get to see the expert work and they also get to use a whiteboard, so any mistakes are easily corrected. It also allows for immediate feedback and correction of misconceptions.

Test yourself! Can you balance the following equation? C8H18 + O2 à CO2 H2O 

Mr Dean

Science Department

Discovery of the structure of DNA

Year 8 students have been studying the unit, ‘Genes 2’. As part of this unit, they have learned about the function and structure of DNA and the events leading up to the discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule in 1953. James Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins were awarded a Nobel prize for their part in the remarkable discovery in 1962, however at the time, the contribution from Rosalind Franklin was barely acknowledged. The students have been researching the crucial role that Franklin played in the discovery and have produced newspaper articles highlighting her achievements and the discrimination that she suffered.

Mr Knee

Science Department

Reproduction

Year 7 have spent the last few weeks studying reproduction, learning about the male and female reproductive systems, pregnancy, and birth. As a class, they have been challenged to learn lots of new vocabulary and also the spellings of these words. To help the students know and remember more, they have put together leaflets, storyboards and made a vocabulary book.

Mrs Hall

Deputy Headteacher

  • Artsmark Platinum Award - Awards by Arts Council England
  • Lancashire Socio-economic Equality Badge
  • SMART
  • UNICEF
  • School Mental Health Award
  • Ofsted - Outstanding Provider
  • International School Award
  • Artsmark Platinum Award - Awards by Arts Council England
  • Lancashire Socio-economic Equality Badge
  • SMART
  • UNICEF
  • School Mental Health Award
  • Ofsted - Outstanding Provider
  • International School Award