Head of Department - Mrs D Bemowski (email)

Poynton High School Computing Department is a dynamic and successful curriculum area.  Computing is taught across all Key Stages and students are offered numerous opportunities to develop their computing capability.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

In Years 7, 8 and 9 students receive one dedicated Computing lesson per week. They are introduced to new software and apply their skills to solve problems and communicate information.  There are some exciting opportunities available to students at Poynton in the field of Computing.  The core of computing is Computer Science, in which pupils will be taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to work through programming. They will also have the opportunity to experience both visual and text-based programming languages and develop their capability in a wide range of applications including: Word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, web authoring, gaming, graphics and a variety of multimedia applications.

At Key Stage 3, Computer clubs offer students opportunities to enrich their learning beyond their lessons. The students that attend these clubs experience a variety of tasks building proficiency in a range of different applications. A number of clubs run including coding clubs, Scratch Animation clubs as well as the Duke of York (idea.org.uk) which is where students can work towards achieving bronze, silver, and gold awards for their 'Digital Literacy' skills.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

At Key Stage 4, we offer two different pathways in the GCSE Computer Science and the Creative iMedia course. Both of these courses build on the skills and knowledge they have developed during Key Stage 3 and allow students to follow distinctly different strands of the computing curriculum.

GCSE Computer Science follows the OCR course. Computer Science encourages mental versatility through problem-solving and developing programming skills as well as the knowledge on computer systems and how it all works. There is a strong emphasis on computational thinking and networking and cybersecurity.

Creative iMedia is a more practical course from OCR that focusses the students on life in the digital sector through working for a client and complying with legislation to developing skills in planning and design in areas such as digital graphics, creating multi-page websites and games.

Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form)

At Key Stage 5, we offer A Level Computer Science (OCR) and BTEC National Information Technology (Pearson).

In Computer Science, we build on the knowledge developed at Key Stage 4 and deepen our understanding of the concepts. The independent programming project allows students to really develop their programming skills around an area of their choice. There is an expanded Maths focus and computational thinking at its core.

The BTEC IT course is a real blend of the 'Computing' curriculum without the specific programming aspect. It gives students a 'real world of work approach' to learning with theory around the topics of Information Technology Systems and the Use of Social Media in Business, as well as the more practical topics of Creating Systems to Manage Information and Website Development.