Curriculum

Computing & IT

| Education | Curriculum | Computing & IT

The computing curriculum teaches pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to solve problems. They will learn the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to create programs and systems of their own. As a result, our pupils will become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

At Key Stage 4, pupils will have the option to study a GCSE in Computer Science or the Cambridge Nationals Level 1/2 Certificate in Creative iMedia.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7	Year 8
Basic Problems Written Descriptions Flowcharts Basic pseudo code syntax Arithmetic Operators Loops and Nested IF’s Sorting and Searching Algorithms Command Sequence Code Readability Strings and Functions User Input and Validation Binary and Analogue Representing Information Hexadecimal Representation of sound Data Compression Encryption Hardware and Software Networks	Construct, Selection and Iteration Using Relational Operators Concatenation and sequence Identifying errors Infinite loops Computational Thinking Data types and variables Variable Initialisation Advanced Strings and Functions Two-dimensional arrays Reading and Writing from files Subprograms Testing and Evaluation Sign and Magnitude Binary, Denary and Hexadecimal Recording sound waves Data Storage and compression

Year 7

Year 8

Basic Problems
Written Descriptions
Flowcharts
Basic pseudo code syntax
Arithmetic Operators
Loops and Nested IF’s
Sorting and Searching Algorithms
Command Sequence
Code Readability
Strings and Functions
User Input and Validation
Binary and Analogue
Representing Information
Hexadecimal
Representation of sound
Data Compression
Encryption
Hardware and Software
Networks

Construct, Selection and Iteration
Using Relational Operators
Concatenation and sequence
Identifying errors
Infinite loops
Computational Thinking
Data types and variables
Variable Initialisation
Advanced Strings and Functions
Two-dimensional arrays
Reading and Writing from files
Subprograms
Testing and Evaluation
Sign and Magnitude
Binary, Denary and Hexadecimal
Recording sound waves
Data Storage and compression

KS4 Option Choice 1: OCR GCSE Computer Science (J276)

Year 9	Year 10	Year 11
Problem Solving: Algorithms, Decomposition and Abstraction Python Programming: Develop Code, Constructs, Data Types and Structures, Input/Output, Operators, Subprograms Data: Binary, Data Representation, Data Storage and Compression, Encryption, Databases Computers: Machines and Computational Modelling, Hardware, Logic, Software, Programming Languages Communication and the Internet: Networks, Network security, the Internet and the World Wide Web The Bigger Picture: Emerging Trends, Issues and Impact	Problem Solving: Algorithms, Decomposition and Abstraction Python Programming: Develop Code, Constructs, Data Types and Structures, Input/Output, Operators, Subprograms Data: Binary, Data Representation, Data Storage and Compression, Encryption, Databases Computers: Machines and Computational Modelling, Hardware, Logic, Software, Programming Languages Communication and the Internet: Networks, Network security, the Internet and the World Wide Web The Bigger Picture: Emerging Trends, Issues and Impact Computer Science Non-Examined Component	N/A – pupils sit their GCSE exams at the end of Year 10

KS4 Option Choice 2: Cambridge Nationals Level 1/2 Certificate in Creative iMedia

Year 9	Year 10	Year 11
Pre-production skills Creating digital graphics	Pupils will be able to choose from 2 of the following modules: R083: Creating 2D and 3D digital characters R084: Storytelling with a comic strip R085: Creating a multi-page website R086: Creating a digital animation R087: Creating interactive multimedia products R088/R089: Creating a digital sound sequence or creating a digital video sequence R090: Digital photography R091: Designing a game concept R092: Developing digital games	N/A – pupils sit their GCSE exams at the end of Year 10

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Pre-production skills
Creating digital graphics

Pupils will be able to choose from 2 of the following modules:

R083: Creating 2D and 3D digital characters
R084: Storytelling with a comic strip
R085: Creating a multi-page website
R086: Creating a digital animation
R087: Creating interactive multimedia products
R088/R089: Creating a digital sound sequence or creating a digital video sequence
R090: Digital photography
R091: Designing a game concept
R092: Developing digital games

N/A – pupils sit their GCSE exams at the end of Year 10

Assessment

Internal assessments take place every half-term.

KS4 Exam Board Specification: OCR GCSE Computer Science (J276) or Cambridge Nationals Level 1/2 Certificate in Creative iMedia (J817)

Enrichment Offer

The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and pupils are able to use the Academy’s state-of-the-art IT facilities at both lunchtime and after school. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the Academy in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.