Key Stage 3 Computing
The final half term has seen KS3 Computing being a little creative when learning some basics in 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!
Future Computing 2021-2022
In Computing, we are in the process of introducing an online safety qualification to selected Year 9 students called ‘Smart Award in E-Safety’. The qualification is designed to cover the main concepts and skills needed to use devices and applications securely, safely and effectively. The Smart Digital Award in E-Safety gives students the skills they need to use devices correctly, understand how to find and analyse information critically, communicate safely and appropriately with others and explore their potential through creation and collaboration. We are hoping to deliver this to all Year 9 during the next academic year.
Snapchat Lens workshop
We have also learnt about the positives of online social media apps and we have recently been given the special opportunity to work alongside Snap Inc. ‘s creative team and a creator for Disney in an introduction to augmented reality and created our own lens (filter). The workshop focused on using a snapchat lens to promote empathy and the understanding of others. These girls will also be sharing their expertise with the wider school council so that they can work collaboratively and use social media to promote the school’s core values such as social responsibility and compassion.
GCSE Computer Science
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, learning about networks and how different networks are structured and how they work. This includes the internet, looking at security of networks and a variety of security issues and learning 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 Computing, Arts and Technology Faculty