Computing and Enterprise

The Computing, IT and Enterprise department strives to prepare pupils for success in the digital world. At our school we want our students to become algorithmic thinkers and natural problem solvers so that no piece of technology will limit them no matter their choices in further education and careers. Technology is everywhere and will play a fundamental part in students’ lives and therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use digital and information technology positively, responsibly and safely.

Computing, IT and Business at Golborne High School links the real world of business with the latest technology looking at the history of development to future prospects. Pupils will be exposed to a broad, rigorous and challenging curriculum which will effectively prepare them with the knowledge, skills and technical vocabulary to fully embrace a future of rapidly advancing technology.

Our key stage 3 curriculum starts by equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to work the school system, linking this to cloud computing, removing barriers for home learning. Students will learn the fundamental knowledge of problem solving, networking and communication throughout their journey from primary into secondary education, looking deeper into the internet, programming and physical computing.

When students reach year 9 we weave into the National Curriculum for Computing, elements of Digital Information Technologies and Business and Enterprise. The Year 9 curriculum equips pupils with a foundational knowledge of the vocational and GCSE options subjects we offer in Year 10, in order that they can make well-informed choices.

In year 10, pupils can embark on GCSE Computer Science, BTEC Digital Information Technologies or BTEC Enterprise course which opens doors to many post 16 opportunities in the ever-changing world we live in, whether this is further education, ‘on the job’ learning or full time work. 

Our BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise provides our pupils with an insight into planning their own enterprise and equips them with a broad range of transferable skills that will provide them with a solid foundation for further study and employment. The course allows pupils to explore enterprises in the community and examine and analyse what skills and characteristics are necessary for an entrepreneur to become successful. Pupils are able to develop their application of creative ideas and innovations to practical situations by planning their own micro-enterprise activity and developing their skills essential for business, such as solving problems, making decisions and assessing risk.

Our BTEC Tech Award in Digital Information Technologies course allows pupils to develop their knowledge of a digital environment and their confidence within IT. Pupils are able to learn about user interfaces and how these allow individuals and organisations to interact with digital technologies. Pupils will develop practical skills by planning and creating an integrated technological solution to communicate information. Pupils will test their knowledge through a variety of software packages and explore how IT and business systems work together, assessing risk and learning how to mitigate against these.

As part of the extra curricular we offer a code club that builds upon sequencing, selection and iteration programming concepts based on the RaspberryPi. Pupils develop their own game and can even install it onto one of the RasperryPi mini computers. If you would like more information, please see the extra curriculum time table that will show the date, time and room to attend. 

Our Enterprise club allows pupils to develop their entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial skills whilst exploring the world of work and giving pupils the chance to understand business and the economy in more detail. Pupils will complete ‘brand challenges’, ‘product development’ and ‘digital marketing’ projects whilst creating their own products to market.