ICT
The ICT curriculum at North Star 240° is designed around the futures of our learners.
Computing Curriculum at North Star 240°
Intent
At North Star 240° we aim for all pupils to develop a foundation of basic skills that will enable them to be confident when applying these to further education and employment. At North Star 240° we are extremely passionate about preparing our pupils for adulthood and giving them the tools to succeed in their future lives. We would like our pupils to feel confident in the application of a range of skills that they have developed whilst at North Star. Throughout our curriculum we encourage our pupils to be able to understand and describe how they can apply their skills in the future. Pupils will leave the school with at least a level 1 or 2 qualification in IT user skills. We encourage all pupils to have pride in their work and own expectations. Our curriculum intends to develop a range of skills:
Word Processing
Pupils will be confident in their ability to use and apply word processing software to future learning and employment.
Digital Modelling
Pupils will be able to apply their knowledge of spreadsheets to real life scenarios and day to day life.
Presentation Skills
Pupils will gain an understanding of using the internet to search for information and different media. Pupils will build skills using tools to develop their confidence in presenting information in alternate ways.
Digital Publishing
Pupils will use their research skills to find important information and media from the web and other sources. Pupils will be confident to publish their own written work, develop and make improvements.
Web Design
Our young people will have explored web design software and learnt the fundamentals of building and creating website content.
Digital Editing
Pupils will have developed the knowledge of the functionality of editing software, giving them the confidence to manipulate a selection of images. Pupils will be able to use their knowledge of editing software to manipulate images for a specific purpose and being able to apply this to real life scenarios, jobs and education.
Online Safety
Online Safety is a huge and vital part of a young person’s development and therefore at North Star 240° pupils will develop knowledge and understanding of all key concepts of online safety in line with the ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ framework. Pupils, Staff and parents will all be empowered and apply their knowledge of Online Safety to help advice, report and tackle issues whilst online, at home, work or school.
Implementation
- KS3 lessons are taught throughout their curriculum with cross curricular links to the above skill areas.
- KS3 have 1 IT lesson a week solely focussing on Online Safety and the 4 C’s (Content, Contact, Conduct and Commerce) in line with National Online Safety and the Keeping Children Safe in Education Framework.
- Weekly online safety focuses in tutor periods for KS3 and KS4.
- Assemblies with online safety focus
- KS4 have 3 lessons per week focussing on TLM Qualifications personalised to further employment and education for our young people.
- Online safety focuses during all school tutor times as well as explicit lessons throughout the year with dedicated terms in KS4 for Online Safety.
- Each lesson is personalised to the needs of each pupils as well as the needs of the individual classes and year groups.
- Assessments take place in terms 1, 3 and 5 with consistent cold and hot write tasks to map and monitor progress.
- All pupils will have the opportunity to offer guidance and give feedback to one another.
- Extra-curricular opportunities are offered to enhance and develop skills during break and lunchtimes.
Impact
- At North Star 240° the design of the curriculum will develop confident pupils, who have developed a solid foundation in IT skills. Young people will leave North Star 240° with a range of the following skills;
- Pupils at North Star 240 ° will be empowered when working online and knowing the risks associated with being online. Our young people will have the confidence to know how to deal with online issues and threats or who they could speak to to get advice.
- Pupils will leave North Star 240° with a KS4 qualification. (TLM Level 1 or 2 IT User Skills)
- Pupils will leave with a certificate in Online Safety.
- All pupils will leave North Star 240° with a basic knowledge of IT systems, given them all the confidence to succeed in future education and employment.
For more information contact: tom.marsh@northstar-academy.co.uk
