Computer Science

In Computer Science students learn to think about how technology is created. This allows them to understand how people work together with computers to develop world changing programmes like Facebook, Spotify and eBay.

Curriculum intent:

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which our pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Aims

Our curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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

• understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems

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

• apply mathematical skills relevant to computer science

Curriculum implementation

Our lessons encourage students to think creatively, innovatively and logically through lessons which are accessible and inclusive to all learners. We aim to provide opportunities to develop transferable skills such as research, planning and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts effectively. Students have the opportunity to reflect on how computers can sometimes perform better in certain activities than people.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 students are introduced to many of the key computer science skills and topics.

These topics include:

Online Safety - students learn about key issues involving:

Protection against viruses, password security, digital footprints

Cyberbullying and grooming

Sexting and selfies

Hardware and Computer Systems:

Students learn what is inside a computer and what devices are used to input, output and store data

Binary numbers and Representing Data

Students learn how images, sound and text are represented on computers

Introduction to HTML and CSS

Students develop simple websites using HTML and a CSS file to control formatting and style

Computational Thinking (decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms)

This involves solving problems by breaking them down into smaller manageable tasks, identifying common patterns and writing algorithms

Flowcharts

Students learn:

Why and how flow charts are used in program development
To identify and use flowchart symbols
How to draw a flowchart from an algorithm

Introduction to Pseudocode

Students learn what it is, why it's used and how to write it using indents, selection, mathematical operators, variables and iteration

Computer Networks

Students learn about the purpose of networks, their advantages and disadvantages, the hardware required and the difference between LAN and WAN

Programming

Students learn how to create simple programs using:

Scratch - a visual programming application that allows students to create interactive games and animations
Python - a high-level programming language used by many large organisations such as Google, NASA, Facebook, Amazon and Instagram
This involves writing code for programes with simple commands, selection, mathematical calculations and drawing

GCSE

For the GCSE course, students further develop the skills learned at Key Stage 3.

They gain the skills to enable them to understand how to design and build apps, investigate how algorithms help create computer codes and the importance of cyber security and the ethical impacts of digital technology.

GCSE Computer Science goes well with lots of other subjects, especially the Sciences, Mathematics, Music, Design and Technology and Art.

Over the course they will cover the following:

Computational thinking:

This is the process of thinking through a complex problem, taking the time to understand what the problem is and then develop potential solutions for evaluation. These are then presented in a way that a computer, a human, or both, can understand.

Theoretical content:

You will understand the fundamentals of data representation and computer networks. You will learn about the computer systems that you willl create and use and also delve in to the world cyber security and ethical legal and environmental impact of digital technology'

Aspects of software development:

Understand how to implement and test a design to make sure it works effectively. Learn how to complete an overall evaluation to help refine the end product.

GCSE Assessment

There are two written exams of 1 hour 30 minutes. There is a non-exam assessment that assesses students' ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve a practical programming problem. They are reqjuired to follow a systematic approach to problem-solving and are assessed over 20 hours of work.

Key skills that the students learn:

Alongside the practical expertise you'll develop in your studies, you'll also gain transferable skills which are valued in both higher education and the world of work.

These include:

problem-solving
analysis
how to develop your skills to understand the ever changing world of technology
working independently and within a team to identify and solve problems
writing code
logical thought
research methods