Click to open up the search area Click to open the mobile menu
HomeCurriculumLearning at HydeComputing & Business Studies

Computing & Business Studies

The computing and business department at Hyde High School is an innovative and forward thinking department that values creativity and ingenuity. The department is fully equipped with four computer suites that run a range of software packages, used in industry. 


The focus of the department at KS3 is Computing. In these lessons, students will learn how to program using industry standard programming languages, become fully IT literate, learn about the functionality of computers and know how to use technology in a safe and responsible manner. 


At KS4, students will choose from three options; Computer Science, Business Studies and Tech Award IT, you can find more details of these courses below. 

KS3 Computing

Year 7

Year 7 Computing

During Year 7 in Computing, students will cover the following topics:

  • Digital Literacy
  • Computer Systems
  • Networks
  • Small Basic Programming

Digital Literacy

In digital literacy students learn how to use computers effectively in the modern environment, including formatting skills in word processors, presentation and spreadsheet software. Students will complete a digital literacy project which combines all their skills learnt across the three areas.

Computer Systems

Students will discover the different components of Computer Systems and how these work together to create the modern personal computer we know today. Students will be able to recognise the various operating systems and utility software used in modern digital devices.

Networks

Students explore the different ways in which digital devices communicate and interact with each other.

They will learn about the main network topologies and assess the effectiveness of each in a given real world scenario. Additionally, students gain an insight into how the internet transfers data around the world via various methods.

Small Basic Programming

Students will have an introduction to the world of computer programming using Microsoft Small Basic. They will be introduced to key programming concepts such as sequencing, iteration and selection, which they will then use in creating their own interactive quiz program.

Year 8

Year 8 Computing

In addition to the topics listed below, the year will begin with a number of lessons covering current e-safety issues to develop their existing understanding further. This will ensure students know how to operate digital devices in a safe and responsible manner.

  • Data Modelling
  • Data Representation 1
  • Computer Systems
  • Computational Thinking
  • Python Programming

Data Modelling

Students will discover the structural elements of databases and the reasons for using them. They will create databases by importing and manually inputting data. They will create and organise queries, reports and forms to analyse and present data.

Data Representation 1

Students will discover how computers store and represent different forms of data through the use of binary – the underpinning language of all digital devices. They will look at the binary number system, converting binary numbers to denary and hexadecimal and how to calculate binary addition and binary shift.

Computer Systems

Building on Year 7 Computer Systems, students are given the opportunity to revisit, recall and develop their knowledge of systems, how they are composed and work.

Students will study how logic gates are used to control the flow of data, how CPUs process data, different methods of storing data and the role of the Operating System.

Computational Thinking

Students develop their problem solving skills by making use of the principles that underpin programming in Computer Science – pattern recognition, sequence, decomposition and abstraction. This is further supported through the creation of flowcharts using the Flowgorithm and Flowol software packages.

Python Programming

Students will build on their programming and computational thinking skills by learning to write code in a professional language. They will learn a number of fundamental and transferable programming skills including – data types, mathematical operations, sequencing and selection.

Year 9

Year 9 Computing

In addition to the topics listed below, the year will begin with a number of lessons covering current e-safety issues to develop their existing understanding further. This will ensure students know how to operate digital devices in a safe and responsible manner.

During Year 9 in Computer Science, students will cover the following topics:

  • Advanced Python
  • Societal Impacts: Cyber Security
  • Societal Impacts: Online Data
  • Careers
  • Data Representation 2
  • Digital Graphics

Advanced Python

Building upon their previous learning from Year 8, students will continue to develop their programming skills including – iteration, arrays, subroutines and verification & validation routines.

Societal Impacts: Cyber Security

Students will learn about the threats online posed by Malware and Social Engineering techniques. They will look at key examples of each, discuss why malicious users make use of these techniques and how we can protect ourselves and our data online.

Societal Impacts: Online Data

Building on their learning from the Autumn Term, students look at how online data and activities form a digital footprint. They will look at how data is collected, and used by other parties. Students will study how organisations use big data from multiple sources to analyse and predict human behaviours.

Careers

Students will complete a cultural capital project to investigate the different career options related to Computing and look at the different routes to employment in the tech sector. Students will also look at what it is like to be an employee and will learn about the different option routes at KS4.

Data Representation 2

Students will discover how computers store and represent different forms of data through the use of binary – the underpinning language of all digital devices. They will look at the binary number system, text representation, image and sound representation. Finally, students will develop the skills to calculate the effects of these on file size vs file quality.

Digital Graphics

Students will explore the creative tools available to them in Photoshop, for example layering, blur, clone stamp, magic wand etc to create a professional magazine advert that will meet the needs of an intended target audience. Students will be expected to research and evaluate the needs of their target audience to ensure their cover is fit for purpose. Students will also assess the wider use of digital imagery and the impact these can have on the viewer.

Useful links to resources

KS4 Computing & Business

GCSE Computer Science

AQA Computer Science (8525)

This challenging GCSE has been designed to teach concepts and develop techniques that have long-term value which support progression to higher education and beyond. The course will provide students with an engaging and stimulating experience of Computer Science and programming. The new specification is a mixture of theory and computational thinking and practice. It provides opportunities for students to explore the wider social and ethical issues associated with Computer Science and to develop as responsible practitioners.

A course in Computer Science offers candidates a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of how computers work and to create and troubleshoot computer programs for real-life purposes relating to their own personal interests. Computer Science develops valuable programming and computational thinking skills, which are increasingly relevant to a wide variety of jobs. Employers want workers with an understanding of rigorous principles that can be applied to changing technologies.

There are eight topics covered as part of this course:

  1. Fundamentals of algorithms
  2. Programming
  3. Fundamentals of data representation
  4. Computer Systems
  5. Fundamentals of computer networks
  6. Cyber security
  7. Relational databases and SQL
  8. Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of technology on wider society

The course is assessed at the end of year 11 through two exams, both worth 50%.

Paper 1:
“Computational thinking and programming” is a 2 hour written exam and will include content drawn from units 1 and 2 listed above.

Paper 2:
“Computing concepts” is a 1 hour 45minute written exam and will include content drawn from units 3-8 listed above.

Useful Links

GCSE Business Studies

Business Studies is a challenging subject which blends a number of specialist fields such as marketing, human resources, accounting and finance and operations management, which together make up a course that is highly relevant to the modern world. Industry related activities, outside visits, visiting speakers, field and market research and the extensive use of information technology feature strongly in the course.

As a GCSE course, the focus is on the theory of business rather than the practical aspects. Being able to apply mathematical concepts to business is a key feature of this GCSE.

Content:

  1. Business activity – the basics of business including why people start businesses 
  2. Influences on business – an in-depth look at business stakeholders and how they influence firms 
  3. Business operations – managing production, quality, logistics and the sales process 
  4. Finance – sources of finance for start-ups and operations, cash flow, profit and loss statements 
  5. Marketing – identifying and meeting customer needs, market research and the marketing mix 
  6. Human resources – getting the right staff, training, motivation and management of staff

How will you be assessed?
There are two exams at the end of year 11. Both exams will be structured the same way and each last 1 hour and 30 mins. 

Each paper is divided into three sections:
Section A: 35 marks, 
Section B: 30 marks, 
Section C: 25 marks.

The paper will consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions.

Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper. 

The exams will also include synoptic assessment; the understanding of the connections between different elements of the subject. It involves explicit drawing together of knowledge, skills and understanding. This is a challenging element of the course and was previously only assessed at A-level.

Useful Links

TJEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in ICT

The Vocational Award in ICT has been designed to support learners in schools who want to learn about this vocational sector and the potential it can offer them for their careers or further study. It is most suitable as a foundation for further study. This further study would provide learners with the opportunity to develop a range of specialist and general skills that would support their progression to employment.

Unit 1 allows learners to explore the wide range of uses of hardware, application and specialist software in society. Learners will investigate how information technology is used in a range of contexts, including business and organisations, education and home use of information technology. This unit makes up 60% of the qualification via an externally assessed exam.

Unit 2 introduces learners to a broad working knowledge of databases, spreadsheets, automated documents and images and enables learners to apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems in vocational settings. This NEA unit makes up % of the qualification.

Useful Links

Computing & Business Teachers

Teachers

Mr Broderick
Subject Leader of Computing & Business

Mr Panter
Teacher of KS3 Computing, GCSE Computer Science and ICT

Mr Spensley
Teacher of KS3 Computing, GCSE Computer Science and ICT

Mrs Lang
Assistant Headteacher, Teacher of KS3 Computing & GCSE Business Studies

Old Road, Hyde,
Cheshire, SK14 4SP
T: 0161 366 7533
E: [email protected]