Purpose of study
A high-quality information technology (IT/computing) education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.
Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate â able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology â at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
Aims
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
ICT Graduates can access a plethora of employment opportunities:
⢠Information Security Architect
⢠Cyber Security Analyst
⢠Software Developer
⢠Systems Developer
⢠Information Systems Manager
⢠Machine Learning Engineer.
Alternatively students can enrol on apprenticeship programs and to fine out more about these sorts of oportunities you can follow this link: The Apprenticeship Guide (Computing and IT apprenticeships)
For more information about computer science and careers opportunities visit:
Prospects (careers advice computer-science)
The British Computer Society/The Chartered Institute for IT
GCHQ (careers guide)
Also remember, an investment in a Information Computer Technology and Computer Science qualification tends to attract employment salaries above the national average!