This resource provides a quick and easy map of your child’s curriculum journey in Computing. 

Computing and ICT knowledge and skills are now a fundamental part of everyday life. From a very early age children are introduced to a vast array of technology and an increasing expectation that by their early teen years they have become proficient in all things electronic. It is, however, a misconception that the youngest generations today, even though they have been brought up with technology, are aware of the risks, challenges and benefits that technology can bring in today’s modern world. Children are now exposed to an ever changing digital environment where, not only can their lives be enhanced, there are a wide and varied number of eSafety risks that they need to be aware of. The risks associated with malware, cyberbullying, exploitation and abuse are key aspects of the digital environment that students should be, not only aware of, but able to identify and protect themselves from.

It is because of this that it is even more important that our students are given the opportunities to explore a range of current and emerging technologies, developing an understanding of the benefits of how to use them safely and effectively in areas such as problem solving, communication, collecting and analysing data and creative design. 

The vast majority of jobs and workplaces that our students will enter in the future will function around the effective use of technology, and employers are increasingly expectant that the emerging workforce will be proficient in the skills and knowledge. However, it is not only in the workplace that these skills and knowledge will be essential, as our personal lives are now surrounded by, and driven by, new and exciting technologies, smart meters, speakers, TV’s, lights, domestic appliances, cars, phones, watches and many more of our everyday objects. It is more important than ever before that our young people have a strong understanding of security risks and implications, as they are increasingly using these devices in their day-to-day lives.

Key Stage 3 Computing & ICT

During Year 7, we start off by ensuring our students quickly develop the basic ICT skills of using a range of resources and ICT effectively. This is essential as many aspects of their education both now, and in the future, will rely on them being able to work with software such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases and creative programs such as image manipulation or website design. We begin Year 7 as we do Year 8 and Year 9 with an eSafety unit covering the aspects of technology that we are aware students are more at risk from at this age. In Year 7, we cover the use of the internet, with safe and effective searching, understanding and identifying appropriate connections online and how to report any situations where they feel they are being exploited, cyberbullied or groomed. In Year 8, we explore and gain a better understanding of social networking and social media, whilst even though many of our Year 8 students are not yet old enough to have a social networking account, we are aware that parents and carers, with the best intentions, permit their children to manipulate the system so that they can open an account. This opens our students up to a wide range of risks and as such it is essential that we tackle topics such as peer pressure and sexting before they put themselves at risk. At the start of year 9, we look at how relationships are built online, exploring healthy and unhealthy behaviours with relationships and the issues with young peoples exploration with online porn. 

Throughout the remainder of KS3 we will introduce students to a variety of software packages that will develop their problem solving, investigative and computational thinking skills. Students will be given the opportunity to repeatedly revisit skills such as programming through a range of different software and hardware. Students will also explore a range of creative packages such as PhotoShop, Serif WebPlus and animation software to ensure they have an understanding of both the computing and ICT arms of the subject and can therefore make informed choices of pathway to take at KS4.

Assessment throughout KS3 is undertaken through a range of practical and theory based assessments so that students can demonstrate a range of skills they have developed as well as the understanding of current and emerging technology, its uses and risks.

Key Stage 4 Computing & ICT

We currently offer a GCSE course for Computer Science which aims to develop students’ ability to abstract and decompose problems to find solutions. Students spend 50% of the course developing computational thinking skills and their programming capability in a higher level programming language. These skills are repeatedly revisited and enhanced as students move through the course, in order to ensure that gained knowledge is not lost through lack of practice. Interwoven with the practice programming and computational thinking are a series of topics that explore the physical side of computing through networks, memory and storage, embedded systems, systems security and ethical legal and environmental issues. Therefore ensuring that students have a thorough and rounded knowledge of the impact and use of technology systems in the modern world.

We also currently offer Creative iMedia for those students who have a preference of using computers creatively and effectively, rather than looking behind the user interface, as in Computing. The course allows students to explore the use of software from the perspective of an employer, employee, client and audience. Students are presented with real life problems that need resolving using a range of software packages and are required to present an appropriate portfolio to demonstrate their understanding of the problem and the product they have created in response to the client briefs. Students are also required to complete a written exam paper to show their knowledge and understanding of the pre production process of the products they have had to create. Through the completion of this course, students gain a wide range of marketable skills that they will be able to transfer into their experiences in further and higher education, or in the workplace.

From studying Computer Science GCSE, you can go on to study Computer Science A-Level.  This can lead to studying all sorts of subjects at University or onto exciting computer science based apprenticeships. For example:

• App Developer;
• Computer Games Developer;
• Cyber Intelligence Officer;
• Forensic Computer Analyst;
• Robotics Engineer Software Developer.

Check out the range of apprenticeships here for which you need good computer science skills or take a look at some more information about computer science based degrees here.

Studying Computer Science can lead you to study a wide variety of subjects at University. Such as:

• Computer Arts;
• Game Development;
• Creative Computing (Web Technologies).

Have a look at the UCAS website to see how many different combinations you can do.

The Curriculum Overview provides information as to how the curriculum is sequenced to enable students to build their knowledge and skills towards ambitious endpoints in each subject area. Click the picture to enlarge it and read more. Each terms’ learning is complemented by a knowledge organiser.