KS3 Computing

Our intent is to promote computational thinking and digital creativity. We want our students to develop the foundations to enable them to be discerning, life-long learners in a fast-moving landscape. Our curriculum is designed to allow students to provide a balanced and informed curriculum across all key stages giving students access to Computing, ICT and Digital Literacy.

We aim for our students to develop the following skills:

· understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation

· analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing, and debugging programs

· think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically, and critically

· understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with other systems

· develop a deep understanding of computational thinking and how to apply it through a chosen programming language

· develop valuable thinking and programming skills that are extremely attractive in the modern workplace

· understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society

· develop, in context, desirable, transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts

· provide learners with essential knowledge and tools to improve their learning in other subjects with the aims of enhancing their employability when they leave education, contributing to their personal development and future economic well-being

After studying Computing in Key Stage 3, students can continue their studies at Key Stage 4.

GCSE Computer Science

The GCSE in Computer Science is engaging and practical, encouraging creativity and problem solving. It encourages students to develop their understanding and application of the core concepts in computer science. Students also analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing and evaluating programs.

Programme of study:

Component 01: Computer systems

Introduces students to the central processing unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, data representation, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, system security and system software. It also looks at ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns associated with computer science.

Component 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

Students apply knowledge and understanding gained in component 01. They develop skills and understanding in computational thinking: algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic and translators.

Practical programming

Students are to be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s) during their course of study which allows them to develop their skills to design, write, test and refine programs using a high-level programming language. Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations, in particular component 02 (section B).

BTEC Tech Award Digital IT

This course is for learners who want to acquire sector-specific applied knowledge and skills through vocational contexts by studying project planning, data management, data interpretation, data presentation and data protection as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. The qualification recognises the value of learning skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs. The qualification will broaden learners’ experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them.

Programme of study:

The Tech Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific applied knowledge and skills through realistic vocational contexts. The main focus is on four areas of equal importance, which cover the:

● development of key skills that prove your aptitude in digital information technology, such as project planning, designing and creating user interfaces and dashboards as a way to present and interpret data

● process that underpins effective ways of working in digital information technology, such as project planning, the iterative design process, cyber security, virtual teams, legal and ethical codes of conduct

● attitudes that are considered most important in digital information technology, including personal management and communication

● knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, process and attitudes in the sector such as how different user interfaces meet user needs, how organisations collect and use data to make decisions, virtual workplaces, cyber security and legal and ethical issu