Regents Review Autumn 2025 26

The Regents Review Autumn 2025

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS Computing & Business Studies

KS4 Computer Science Year 11 have just completed their mock exam for unit 2. Special congratulations go to John and Koyna for scoring grade 9, Ayan - grade 8 and Kismat and Subasna grade 7. They are now revising unit 1 topics in preparation for their second mock in the new year. After school revision is available on Thursdays and is open to any student who would like extra support in practising exam-style questions. This will help to develop core knowledge to support with final exams in May/June. The Smart Revise platform is up and running and all students are encouraged to complete as many questions as they wish on the quiz section for testing their knowledge across all topics and mastering questions. They can work on it independently or through tasks set by the class teacher. Special mention for Emilia, Kismat and Zak for attempting hundreds of questions every week. KS4 Creative iMedia As part of iMedia, students undertake several controlled assessments covering different topics within computing. Year 11 students have been completing one of these controlled assessments, which is creating an interactive product to promote a new online radio station aimed at teenagers. This will be submitted to the exam board in the summer for final assessment. They have recently been practicing their exam skills for their mock exam. Congratulations go to Monica who achieved a Level 2 Distinction. After school sessions are taking place for those needing to improve their current work or improve their knowledge of exam topics on Thursdays, as part of the intervention schedule. Year 10 are working on their first controlled assessment, which is to produce a visual identity and leaflet for a theme park aimed at 3 -10 year olds. This term we have been focussing on the making of the brand and will begin designing and making the final products upon return in January.

Year 10 completed studying units 1.1 System Architecture, 1.2 Primary & Secondary Storage and 2.1 Algorithms. They also had a chance to start coding in Python, which will be studied in the spring term. They have also been given accounts to Smart Revise and more than half the class have already mastered more than 100 questions. Special mention for Ethan, for always going over and above in class as well as home learning on Smart Revise.

KS3 Computing In the first half term, Year 7 & 8 were taught the importance of e-safety and how to be safe online. Year 7 produced informative presentations, while Year 8 created interactive websites. Year 7 moved on to a festival celebration project, with themes like Christmas grotto or other religious/non-religious themes of their choice. They have been using a range of skills with software creating different Office-based tasks like desktop publishing and spreadsheets. Year 8 have developed their knowledge from last year about hardware specifications in computers and making decisions about how to construct an appropriate computer e.g. how much ram, what processor speed etc. They have also completed mini assessments along with their end of unit exams on peripherals, components and storage devices. Year 9 have focused on improving their online digital awareness and understanding of technology in the real world. Our first unit involved investigating and understanding different cybersecurity issues, including current threats and online safety issues.

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