ICT and Computer Science allow students to explore the latest technologies and develop a broad range of skills essential to the modern world. Practical elements inspire and challenge, providing a sound base for further study and life in general.

ICT and Computer Science allow the students to develop an understanding of how technology can be used in society and organisations, and the implications of its use, knowledge and understanding.

The department has been successful in raising the awareness of technology and digital innovations. The schemes of work now reflect the requirements for preparing girls for an increasingly digital future; computational thinking skills, modern information communication and technology skills, collaborative working online and understanding computer science through problem-solving and programming.

Our aim is for all girls to become critical and autonomous users of ICT, in order that ICT and Computer Science can be a tool to assist them in all their other subjects and throughout their day to day life, not only in school, but beyond.
 

Extra-Curricular Activities

Students will have the opportunity to attend field trips and lectures to widen their understanding of real-life problems. All students are encouraged to participate in national competitions and STEM activities.

Lower School Curriculum

Aims

  • All students to be digitally literate members of society
  • Ensure students can ably use technology to assist them throughout their day-to-day life; both in school and beyond
  • Computing seeks to develop student's knowledge of digital processes and the concepts of computational thinking and problem- solving

Curriculum

All students have two lessons of Computing per week. This allows for structured teaching, but also frequent, up-to-date exposure to new and existing developments. Programming and the use of new devices and tools are introduced at various stages throughout the year. 

Online-safety is always a consideration and highlighted as part of each topic studied, where relevant. Opportunities are created for some students to work on projects with companies such as Amazon and Microsoft. All students are encouraged to engage in cyber security competitions and complete units of the IDEA award (often referred to as Digital D of E).

L4 (Year 7)

Students in L4 are exposed to a variety of software tools to support their other subjects. They are taught how to use the internet for independent learning by refining searches, evaluating the reliability of information sources and understanding the dangers of plagiarism. Students use block-based programming languages to create a computer game, understanding solution design as part of their introduction to the computational thinking process. In computer control, students learn how to write flowchart programs, in order to operate simulations for traffic lights and other real-world scenarios.

4s (Year 8)

In the 4s, the emphasis moves to data manipulation using spreadsheets. Students learn how to record and model data in Excel and present their findings using graphs and charts. They also use more advanced formulae, functions and conditional formatting to create a quiz and analyse the results. Students develop knowledge of computer science and follow the design and build cycle to create their own app prototype. They also learn further computational thinking skills by breaking down a dance into set moves and creating an animation route, which they choreograph.

U4 (Year 9)

In U4, programming skills are extended to a higher level starting with using commands of text-based languages, such as Logo. This language is used creatively to draw designs and patters, whilst learning about problem decomposition, solution design and pattern recognition. This leads on to an introduction to programming and control in Python, using the BBC MicroBit. Students’s understanding of the technological world around them is further enhanced during a group STEM project where girls investigate future technologies and design solutions of their own, to real-world problems. Further creative uses of computing are developed through learning how to code websites using HTML and understanding how a website is developed for different purposes and users.

Potential Degree Courses and Career Choices

A Level Computer Science provides the underpinning knowledge and skills to continue the subject in higher education. The course is very challenging and technical, which will give students a thorough understanding of the world of computers and how they function. Students will develop skills in software engineering and can readily move into employment in the digital and gaming sector working as a developer and creator of next-generation technologies.
 

Academic Stretch

Technology is forever moving forward and computers are at the heart of everyday life. Explore, discover and invent things.

What can you do to challenge yourself?

(Available to all unless marked for certain years or Key stages only)

  • AWS Challenge (Amazon Web Service App Competition) - Fours
  • Attend DigiGirlz Microsoft - Fours
  • Take part in weekly QAS Computational Thinking Puzzle
  • Attend TechTalks
  • Attend CS lunchtime club/STEM club
  • Attend Eton Investigate - KS4/5
  • Attend TechTalks
  • Attend Programming Master Classes
  • Program yourself (https://ifttt.com/ - If This Then That; https://developer.apple.com/ - develop apps)
  • Participate in STEMMETTES - KS4/5
  • Interested in Architecture, Engineering or Product design - join the SketchUp Group
  • Join the Animation Club for Computer Animation
  • Learn how to 3D print
  • Investigate MergeVR https://mergevr.com/Lecture
  • Assist in Taster Days (Build Bluetooth Speakers) - KS4/5
  • Work Experience in IT (Volume AI, Microsoft, Oracle, IBM etc) - KS4/5
  • Apply to be Digital Prefect - KS4/5
  • Get involved in TechThursday
  • Assist with the CS or STEM club
  • BEBRAS Challenge
  • Cyber First - Cyber Security Challenge for Girls
  • Cyber Security EPQ - KS5
  • www.Repl.it (learn how to program)
  • www.idea.org.uk (Digital DofE - Bronze and Silver now open)
  • Follow the tech news:
  • Watch Click on BBC bbc.co.uk/click