Regents Review Winter 2021-22

The Regents Review Winter 2021

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS Business & ICT ICT – KS3 In the first half term, both year groups 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 festival celebration, 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 desk top 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. Computer Science – KS4 Year 11 have just completed their mock exams, and we have spent the last week going through the mark scheme to examine areas for improvements. After school revision is ongoing on Thursdays and is open for any student that would like extra support in practising exam style questions. This will help to develop core knowledge to support with final exams in May / June. Year 10 started practising their skills in programming using Python, the NEA project is no longer required to be submitted to the exam board, but students still need to make up 20 hours of coding and we have already been working towards completing this. Year 9 have also started practising their coding skills using mini challenges and the opportunity to move on to a programming project if they wish.

Cyber Ambassadors Our cyber ambassadors have been supporting events school-wise this term, as part of open evening they ran an information stand for parents and students covering knowledge of e-safety issues and testing our visitors for the evening on their knowledge. Next half term they will be ramping up their activities for the forthcoming Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 8th February 2022, where they will be hosting assemblies and events for the school. ICT Creative iMedia – KS4 As part of iMedia, students undertake several controlled assessments covering different topics within IT. Year 11 students have been completing one of these controlled assessments, which is creating an interactive website to promote the local area to tourists. This will be submitted to the exam board in January for final assessment. They have recently been practising their exam skills ready to sit the real one in January after completing the mock exam this half term. After school sessions are taking place for those needing to improve their previous piece of work or improve their knowledge of exam topics on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Year 10 have just finished a controlled assessment, which was to produce a digital book cover for a science fiction book, documenting the techniques and assets that they used. They will be starting their next assessment on websites when they return in January. Year 9 have been spending time on a selection of mini projects testing their digital editing skills ensuring they cover the key skills to prepare them for the assessment process in Year 10.

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