Information Technology Curriculum Overview
At Forge Valley School, we recognise that digital literacy is an essential skill for life in the 21st century. Our vision is to inspire pupils to become confident, creative and responsible users of technology, equipping them with the digital skills, curiosity and resilience needed for further study, future careers and everyday life. We aim for every pupil to leave Forge Valley as a safe and capable digital citizen, able to communicate ideas effectively and navigate an ever‑evolving technological world.
Our curriculum reflects the rapid pace of technological change and the increasing role digital competence plays in all sectors. We believe that Information Technology is not only a subject in its own right, but also a foundation for success across the curriculum and in the wider world. Whether developing creative media projects, solving problems using code, or understanding how digital systems operate, pupils build essential, transferable skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Encourage Safe and Responsible Use of Technology
E‑safety is a major part of the ICT curriculum. You can support your child by:
- Talking about safe online behaviour
- Encouraging them to protect personal information
- Discussing cyberbullying, privacy settings and responsible social media use
- Knowing what sites, apps and games they use
This helps them develop good habits and supports their digital wellbeing.
Talk About Technology in Everyday Life
ICT is everywhere—help your child make links by discussing:
- How businesses use technology
- Online shopping, digital communication or streaming services
- How apps, websites and devices are designed
- The impact of technology on careers and daily life
These conversations make learning feel relevant and purposeful.
Support Regular Use of Key Software
Your child will use a variety of programmes across the curriculum. You can help by encouraging them to practise:
- Word processing (e.g., creating documents)
- Presentation software (PowerPoint or similar)
- Spreadsheets (basic formulas, charts)
- Creative software if studying Creative iMedia
Even short practice sessions help build confidence.
Encourage Independent Problem‑Solving
ICT involves experimenting, trying solutions and learning from mistakes. Support them by:
- Encouraging them to “have a go” before asking for help
- Reminding them that trial‑and‑error is part of computing
- Asking guiding questions: “What do you think the next step might be?”
This builds resilience—the key to progressing in digital subjects.
Support Homework and Organisation
Pupils often need to save files, manage deadlines and organise folders. You can help by:
- Encouraging good file management (clearly labelled folders)
- Checking they save work regularly
- Helping them practise meeting deadlines
- Creating a quiet space for practical tasks
These skills prepare them for coursework and future employment.
Encourage Curiosity About Coding (Optional)
If your child is studying programming (e.g., Python), you can support by:
- Encouraging them to try short practice tasks
- Letting them show you what they’ve created
- Asking them to explain how their code works
- Using free, safe sites like Scratch or Blockly to build confidence
No coding background needed—interest and encouragement go a long way.
Use High‑Quality Online Resources
Your child may benefit from:
- Recommended revision websites
- Online tutorials for software or coding
- Videos that explain digital concepts simply
Ask teachers for trusted platforms—they’ll align with what’s taught in class.
Keep in Communication With School
If your child needs support or feels unsure, contact the ICT department. We can:
- Provide revision guides and resources
- Offer clarification on software or tasks
- Suggest supportive websites or learning tools
- Offer extra support or sessions if appropriate
Working together helps your child get the best from the subject.
Mastery Learning
All pupils will receive an ICT mastery booklet covering the work they have studied in class so far. The purpose of this is to allow pupils the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge at home. Pupils are expected to complete the booklets.
All pupils will then have a low stakes quiz in the final week of each half term which will be based on the contents of the mastery booklet. We will use the information from the quiz as part of the diagnostic tools used to inform their ICT teachers of any gaps in the subject knowledge which need to be re addressed.
Mastery
This term’s learning:
This term, our pupils will be learning the following:
Y9: Understanding different types of pre-production documents, creating mood boards, mind maps, visualisation diagrams etc as well as learning how to plan media projects using work plans, assets tables, client requirements
Y10/11: Pupils will learn how to create a master slide, hyperlink pages, have interactive elements and create and insert multimedia, as well as improving design work as needed
Y10 Computer Science: Pupils will learn about networks, topologies, network hardware, packet switching and logic gates/truth tables
Y11 Computer Science: Pupils will continue to master their python programming including writing and reading to files, writing their own algorithms. Pupils will also recap on their theory from Y10 learning as part of revision for exam preparation – recovering topics such as TCP/IP, network protocols and binary including data representation.
Year 9
Pupils will begin to prepare for their Key Stage 4 qualification in OCR Creative iMedia,
In Year 9 pupils will study practice tasks and learn about the media industry, media industry, digital media products, how they are planned, and how to create products with impact to engage audiences.
Pupils will also be introduced to Computer Science
By the end of Y11, pupils will have completed three units:
- One externally assessed examination (first taken in Y10)
- Two NEA coursework units
Pupils will be given 2x opportunities to take their units if needed
All results are awarded on the following scale:
Level 2 – Distinction* (*2), Distinction (D2), Merit (M2), Pass (P2)
Level 1 – Distinction (D1), Merit (M1), Pass (P1) and Fail/Unclassified
For CORE ICT, students study Creative iMedia (OCR) in Y10 and CIDA (Edexcel) in Y11
Year 10/11 - iMedia
Our Y10 pupils will sit their exam (on pre-production documents – R081).
By the end of Y11, pupils will also complete two coursework units:
- R082 (Graphics unit) where they will plan/create a graphic publication based on a book or album cover
- R087 (Interactive Multimedia unit) where pupils will plan/create an interactive multimedia product about Sheffield
Pupils may also learn and prepare for other units in the course, such as animation / sound that will help them with their multimedia unit and meet the course requirements
Pupils will be given 2x opportunities to take their units if needed
All results are awarded on the following scale:
Level 2 – Distinction* (*2), Distinction (D2), Merit (M2), Pass (P2)
Level 1 – Distinction (D1), Merit (M1), Pass (P1) and Fail/Unclassified
Year 10/11 – Computer Science
As an option, pupils may choose to study Computer Science (WJEC Eduqas)
Pupils will study for 2x examination units:
- Understanding Computer Science (theory exam)
- Computational Thinking and Programming (on screen practical examination where pupils will program using Python)
Resources
Explore helpful resources, homework tasks, step-by-step tutorials, and detailed guides to support your learning at KS3 & KS4.
