Computing & ICT

The QE2 Computing Department aims to provide students with an understanding of how the technology they use works and to develop their computational thinking skills so that they can solve problems using computers. We seek to provide students with a range of ICT skills that will support students’ use of new technologies to find and present information. It is our intent that the students at QE2 are able to independently make use of ICT across their curriculum subjects and are inspired and prepared for the next level of study or the workplace.

The computing department has high expectations of our students in terms of progress and behaviour. The subject draws upon and develops knowledge and skills from a range of other subjects outside of Computing including D&T, Graphics, Maths, Science and PHSE and embed literacy and numeracy skills through software development and problem solving. Our well-planned lessons use explicit modelling of skills and provide opportunities for practice and individual problem solving. We make use of spaced retrieval practice to help students retain what they have learnt. We have regular assessments to monitor progress and to re-enforce the importance of understanding as well as application.

The Computer Science pathway provides an academic exploration of computing, with a focus on how computers work, computational thinking, programming and problem solving. Qualifications can be gained at GCSE and A-Level preparing students for Degrees, Apprenticeships and the workplace. The ICT pathway provides a more practical approach to using technology, focussing on using applications in the workplace; finding, processing and communicating information. Qualification that can be gained at Level 2 (PC-Passport) and AS/A-Level ICT, preparing students for the workplace or for further study.