Key Stage 4

At KS4, students follow the OCR Cambridge Nationals creative imedia awards.
 
The course comprises of two mandatory units (R081-R082) and two optional units (R084-R086.)
 
Pre-Production Skills enables learners to understand pre-production skills used in the creative and digital media sector. It will develop their understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques that form part of the planning and creation process. Planning is an essential part of working in the creative and digital media sector. This unit will enable learners to acquire the underpinning knowledge and skills needed to create digital media products and gain an understanding of their application.
 
Creating Digital Graphics builds on unit R081 and learners will be able to apply the skills, knowledge and understanding gained in that unit and vice versa. Digital graphics feature in many areas of our lives and play a very important part in today’s world. The digital media sector relies heavily on these visual stimulants within the products it produces, to communicate messages effectively. The aim of this unit is for learners to understand the basics of digital graphics editing for the creative and digital media sector. They will learn where and why digital graphics are used and what techniques are involved in their creation. This unit will develop learners’ understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques, as part of the planning and creation process.

Storytelling with a comic strip builds on units R081 and R082 and learners will be able to apply the skills, knowledge, and understanding gained in those units. Comic strips are as popular today as they have ever been in their history. They have evolved from their origins in the early part of the 20th century from simple story strips to become whole genres of interest which span the world. This unit will enable learners to understand the basics of comic strip creation. It will enable them to interpret a client brief, use planning and preparation techniques and to create their own comic strip using digital techniques.
 
Creating a digital animation builds on units R081 and R082 and learners will be able to apply the skills, knowledge and understanding gained in those units. Digital animation is used in a wide range of applications in the creative and digital media sector. It can enhance applications, and be used to entertain and inform the viewer. This unit enables learners to understand the basics of digital animation for the creative and digital media sector. Learners will be able to plan a digital animation to a client brief, use animation software to create the animation and be able to store, export and review the final product.

Exam Paper distribution
 
Unit R081 – Pre-Production Skills
25% of the overall qualification
1 hour and 15 minute written examination

Unit R082 – Creating a digital graphic
25% of the overall qualification
OCR Set Assignment

Unit R084 – Storytelling with a comic strip
25% of the overall qualification
OCR Set Assignment

Unit R086 – Creating a digital animation
25% of the overall qualification
OCR Set Assignment

Assessment:

Assessment in computing captures the progress students are making at the 12 week intervals throughout each academic year. Past exam papers will be used as well as assignment grades throughout the year. 


Additional support

• Period 7 sessions run throughout the year