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Computer Science

Year 7  |  Year 8  |  Year 9  |  Year 10  |  Year 11  |  Year 12 & 13

Overview/Introduction

In Computing, pupils cover three strands: Digital Literacy which includes E-Safety, ICT, Computer Science and Computational Thinking. Together this forms the core computing skills pupils need to prepare them for KS4. They will have the option to further specialise in Computer Science. 

All classwork is shared on Google Classroom and there is a Computing Guide for each half term with all the teacher resources, knowledge organisers, benchmark for brilliance and closing the gap support materials. The cornerstone of Computing is Computational Thinking which teaches pupils to apply problem-solving skills to all parts of their lives (pattern match, breaking down a problem into manageable parts, sequencing, and removing detail to focus on the key task).

The first half-term for all Key Stage 3 classes always starts with one lesson on Computational Thinking skills, followed by 4 lessons on digital literacy (e-safety/ cybersecurity) with presentation or word-processing skills. Whenever there is an opportunity, we underpin our curriculum with functional IT skills (word-processing, presentation software alongside best practices such as shortcut keys).

Every half term, pupils complete two assessments: a Knowledge Check (short answer and multiple choice, on-screen test) and Application Check (Project-style, open-book assessment, similar to coursework).

Our curriculum supports a varied STEAM enrichment and co-curricular provision. The overarching theme for project-based learning currently is Aeronautics and Aerospace with many events to foster curiosity and interest in engineering: we run Race for the Line (Year 7), Faraday Challenge and BAE Roadshow talk in Year 8, Astro-Pi for all, Ai and Drone visit for GCSE students, UKSDC Galactic Challenge for our 6th form.

Pupils have a dedicated, bespoke website (log-in required) to support them in following their learning journey. It contains all lessons, knowledge organisers, closing-the-gaps activities and co-curricular links to nurture their enthusiasm for Computing. 

Year 7

Year 7 focuses on familiarisation with our system (Onedrive / Outlook, Google Classroom, Network) as we as utilising online tools to manage workload (Calendar, To-do). Ensuring personal data is kept safe is crucial to ensure students have to tools to start navigating social media, alongside understanding the impact of screentime on mental health.

Autumn Term Areas of Study

Digital Life [Digital Literacy & IT]

Intro to Computing, including working with our Networks and Communicating online

Baseline Assessment : It & Computer Science: where are we at?

Computational Thinking I

E-Safety: Digital Footprint and Online Reputation

Application Check E-Safety: being safe online & Screentime with Presentation Skills

End of Topic Knowledge Check


Under the hood : Computer systems [Computer Science & IT]

Difference between hardware and software

Input – Process – Output

Application Check | Under the hood of a PC Report (Word-processing skills)

End of Topic Knowledge Check

 

Spring Term Areas of Study

Programming in Visual Studio Console [Computer Science]

Sequencing instructions: Hello World

Sequence/Variable : Create a chatbot

Selection / Variables : Password-checker

Application Check | Console Project : story-telling, adventure game, riddle

End of Topic Knowledge Check


Data Representation [Computer Science]

Binary Conversion – Binary to Denary

Binary Conversion – Denary to Binary

Test Representation : ASCII and Unicode

Image Representation

Units of Data : file sizes

Application Check : Storage and units of data  | Presentation Skills

End of Topic Knowledge Check

 

Summer Term Areas of Study

Database_ Data Handling skills [Computer Science & IT]

Collecting data and filtering data (filter, sort, search)

Create database

Query a database

Application Check | Present results in a report in data-handling software (Access)

End of Topic Knowledge Check


Robotics –Physical Computing & Visual Programming [Computer Science & Digital Literacy]

What is a microbit? Hello world & name tag

Block Programming : Create a sequence of instructions

Block Programming : Using selection to design a step counter

Block Programming : using sensors

Sources of Information/ Help

The Computing Guide provides all the resources pupils may need in case of absence, to support their learning and revision. It requires student log-in as all resources are bespoke.

Year 8

Overview/Introduction

The Computing Curriculum in Year 8 has been sequenced to enable pupils to revisit and strengthen the skills acquired in Year 7, whilst building up further aspects of ICT and Computer Science.

Autumn Term Areas of Study

E-Safety – Internet & Networking [Digital Literacy: Presentation Software] [Computer Science]

Computational Thinking II

WWW VS Internet & Browsers VS Search Engines

Networking Hardware

Types of Network Topologies

Application Check : Presentation Skills and Internet of Things

End of Topic Knowledge Check


Spreadsheet Skills [IT]

Basic & Formatting skills

Data Visualisation : Sort, Filter and Charts

Formatting, Conditional Formatting (COMBO boxes)

Functions : AutoSum, VLOOKUP, IF Statement (tick box)

Application Check : Design a receipt using lookup features and conditional formatting

End of Topic Knowledge Check

 

Spring Term Areas of Study

Programming – VB Console [Computer Science]

Console Selection : Lifetime Statistics & add logic using the concept of selection

Arithmetic Operators

Using condition-controlled iterations (loops)

Application Check : Console Project | Design a Game

End of Topic Knowledge Check

 

Data Representation [Computer Science]

Logic Gate- Physical computing

Binary Recap

Image 1- and 2-bit image resolution

Images and copyright

Application Check : Presentation Skills : What are Copyright, Creative Commons & Plagiarism?

[Image Appropriation in Photopea]

End of Topic Knowledge Check

Summer Term Areas of Study

Database in SQL [Computer Science]

Introduction to SQL

Updating and deleting records

Query and sort

End of Year Cumulative Assessment

Robotics – Edison [Computer Science]

Learning to program using Robotics: Algorithmic thinking

Trial-and-error protocols

Learning via Video tutorials: Race day

Sources of Information/ Help

Independent Study will include a variety of tasks to support students in achieving their potential. There will also be an introduction to Flipped Learning.

Year 9

Overview/Introduction

In their final year at Key Stage 3, pupils will complete the sequence of the curriculum by building on prior learning. This will enable them to specialise in Computer Science, should they choose to study this option at GCSE. Students will enhance their word-processing, presentation and modelling skills; whilst improving their use of video tutorials for independent practice. All students will continue to study Core Computing to refine their skills.

Autumn Term Areas of Study

Cybersecurity – Digital Detectives [Digital Literacy]

Computational Thinking III

Introduction to Big Data and Social Networks

Spot the scam: Social engineering

Safety savvy: Malware

Screentime and Mental Health

Application Check: Protect the Network, Save the school! (Word-processing, report skills)

End of Topic Knowledge Check


Programming – C# [Computer Science]

Understanding different Programming Languages

Selection Statements

Iteration (loop)

Application Check: Programming Project (using video tutorials for Game development)

End of Topic Knowledge Check

Spring Term Areas of Study

What is generative AI?

How can AI help me learn?

How do computer learn? Machine Learning

Train a model and finding out about bias and accuracy

Using decision trees to train a model

End of Topic Knowledge Check


Spreadsheet & Modelling skills – Independent Practice Video Tutorials [IT]

Spreadsheet Modelling skills recap

Plan an event

Sell merchandise

Data visualisation with charts

Stock control and advanced functions

Summer Term Areas of Study

Creating an Interactive Multimedia Quiz [Creative iMedia – IT]

Computational Thinking [Computer Science]

Underpinning Theory : Abstraction; Decomposition ; Patten Recognition; Algorithm

Presentation Skills & Design Considerations

Slide Master

Hyperlinks: buttons and hotspots

Multimedia : Animation, Sound, Video, Transition

Application Check: Interactive Multimedia Quiz on Computational thinking

End of Topic Knowledge Check

Year 10

Overview 

At Key Stage 4, in Core Computing, pupils will further develop their digital skills. The curriculum is bespoke and designed to support pupils post-16, from report-writing to budgeting and designing an app. From understanding the importance of keeping personal data safe to preparing for the world of work, the course is designed to empower pupils to be workforce-ready.  

Pupils will also be working towards the Bronze/Sliver Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, known as iDEA is an international award-winning programme that helps pupils develop digital, enterprise and employability skills for free. www.idea.org.uk

Below is a list of topics KS4 will be covering throughout the year:

Autumn Term Areas of Study

CV and Cover letter [IT]

Create a CV : Content (Unifrog)

Create a CV : Form (CANVA / Word templates)

Create a Cover Letter, using Ai tools

Cybersafety – Digital Detectives [Digital Literacy]

Big Data & Right to Privacy

Data Protection: Legal aspects of IT

Fake News: what makes a source of information trustworthy?

The Bubble

Illegal Contents

Protecting yourself Online – Online reputation

End of Topic Assessment: Open-book Application check and Knowledge Check

Spring Term Areas of Study

Programming- Design an App to solve a real-life problem [Computer Science]

System Life Cycle : Review > Design > Create Evaluate

This unit of work will also enable students to sign to a variety of prize-winning competitions such as Amazon Future Engineers and Young Coders.

Summer Term Areas of Study

Revision Skills & AI  [IT]

Treasoning & Mind maps

Flashcards & Quizlet

Cornell Notes & Videos

AI & CANVA to design revision materials

Year 11 - Core Computing

Overview

In their final year, pupils will hone the skills required post GCSE, in their daily life. They will deepen their understanding of AI and how to use effectively and critically, as a tool, respecting JCQ regulations. They will also be given the opportunity to certify their cloud computing skills, refining their skillset in Office Applications, ready for the world of work or further study. 

Autumn Term Areas of Study

Critical Use of AI [Digital Literacy]

Your data and AI

Media Literacy in the age of AI

Using AI tools responsibly

Digital well-being and digital emotional intelligence

 

PROJECT : Real-life, workplace certification | Google Applied Digital Skills [IT]

What is cloud computing?

Using email effectively

Word-processing skills

Spring Term Areas of Study

Budgeting – Life Skills [IT & Digital Literacy] -linked with PSHCE

Money Skills

Financial well-being

Computer Science GCSE OPTION

Our GCSE course is taught over the first year, allowing students to hone their knowledge and skills in the second year through revision, past exam paper practice and exam talk-through.

AQA Assessment and Examination

  • Paper 1: Computational thinking and problem solving – 50%
  • Paper 2: Written assessment – 50%

Autumn Term | Areas of Study

Paper 1: Programming

  • Sequential coding
  • Data compression
  • Representing images
  • Bases (2,10,16)
  • Character encoding

Paper 2: Networking

  • Types of Networks and Topologies
  • Wired and Wireless Networks
  • TCP/IP 4-layer Stack
  • Network protocols & security

Paper 2: Data Representation

  • Number bases
  • Representation of Text, Images and Sound
  • Compression

Spring Term | Areas of study

Paper 1 : Computational thinking and problem solving:

Fundamentals of algorithms

  • Truth Tables
  • Pseudocode
  • Flowcharts
  • One problem multiple solutions
  • Effective algorithms
  • Searching algorithms
  • Sorting algorithms

Fundamentals of data representation

  • Prefix identifier
  • Data types

Paper 2: Databases

  • Relational Database
  • SQL

Paper 2: Computer System

  • Boolean Logic
  • Software classification
  • System architecture

Summer

Paper 2: Fundamentals of cyber security

  • Cyber security threats
  • Social engineering
  • Malicious code
  • Methods to detect and prevent cyber security threats
  • Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy

In Year 11, the Scheme of Learning follows the same timeline as in Year 10, focusing on the application of knowledge to exam requirements. Pupils complete past-exam questions by topics to build their revision practice.

Sources of Information & Support

Pupils will be assessed at the end of each chapter and be given the opportunity to review their Top Targets.

Independent Study will include a variety of tasks to support students in achieving their best. There will also be an introduction to Flipped Learning, allowing students to study a topic prior to the lesson.

Year 12 & 13

AS / A Levels Computer Science

Year 12

Assessment and Examination / Assessment Dates

  • Paper 1 Problem Solving, Programming, Data Representation and Practical Exercise 40%
  • Paper 2 Computer Components, the Stored Program Concept and the Internet 40%
  • Non-exam assessment 20%

Autumn Term Areas of Study

Unit 1 – Problem Solving, Programming, Data Representation and Practical Exercise including:

  • Fundamentals of data structures, including arrays and text files
  • Number systems
  • Fundamentals of data representation
  • Programming

Unit 2 – Computer Components, The Stored Program Concept and The Internet:

  • Encryption
  • Consequences of uses of computing
  • Finite state machines (FSMs)
  • Networking
  • Communication

Spring Term areas of study

Unit 1 – Problem Solving, Programming, Data Representation and Practical Exercise including:

  • Information coding systems
  • Representing images sound and other data
  • Programming

Unit 2 – Computer Components, The Stored Program Concept and The Internet:

  • Fundamentals of communication and networking
  • Logic gates and Boolean Algebra
  • Internal hardware components of a computer
  • External hardware devices
  • Abstract data types
  • Big Data
  • Database

Summer Term areas of study

  • Internal hardware components of a computer
  • Ethics and Society
  • End of Year Exam Paper 1
  • End of Year Exam Paper 2
  • Starting the NEA

Year 13

Autumn Term – Areas of Study

Skeleton Code – Paper 1
NEA
Revision : Chapters 4-7 from Year 12 applied to exam-style questions

Spring Term – External Exams

Skeleton Code – Paper 1
NEA : Completion, Grading, Mark appeal
Revision : Chapters 4-7 from Year 12 applied to exam-style questions

Summer Term – External Exams

Sources of Information & Support