DEPARTMENT LEADER: Mr. Ferris
Subject Overview
The department encompasses the learning areas of Computer Science and Digital Technology.
Key Stage 3
Pupils in years 7 to 9, study computing as part of the Curriculum For Wales.
In year 7, pupils learn to program using the drag and drop Scratch programming environment. In the latter part of the year, we make games such as Pacman, Space Invaders, Flappy Bird and Breakout; and then pupils create their own games.
During the first couple of months of Year 8, we learn about LAN topologies, how we connect to the Internet (ADSL, Fibre and 5G), network security and encryption. This is followed by using Microbits to learn about sensors. From January onward, we use FMS Logo to further develop pupils’ programming abilities.
We start Year 9, by learning about the denary and binary number systems. We then use Excel to create spreadsheets (including the use of formulae, functions and graphs). The Python programming language is then used to develop pupils’ programming skills. Pupils learn to use the Access database to sort records, create queries and create a table. Finally, pupils learn about the waterfall development method.
Key Stage 4
Students can choose to study either WJEC GCSE Computer Science (how computers work; and Python programming) or WJEC GCSE Digital Technology (animation, website, video).
Key Stage 5
Students can choose to study WJEC GCE Digital Technology. In Year 12 (AS), pupils complete a project where they’ll use GameMaker to create a game. In Year 13 (A2), pupils write HTML and PHP code to create a website with a MYSQL database back-end.
Meet the team
Miss. Dabrowska is an experienced teacher of business, art, ICT and computing. She has taught at Morriston Comprehensive since 2012. Miss. Dabrowska teaches year 7-9 computing classes.
Mr. Sullivan has taught at Morriston Comprehensive since 2023. He teaches mathematics, catering and computing. Mr. Sullivan teaches computing to year 7-9 classes; and GCSE Digital Technology. Mr. Sullivan coordinates the school’s implementation of the Digital Competence Framework.
Mr. Ferris has taught at Morriston Comprehensive since 1997 and has been the department leader since 2003. He teaches year 7-9 computing, GCSE Computer Science and A Level Digital Technology.