Computing

Curriculum Intent

To foster a love for Computing and to make students safe and responsible users of digital technologies by ensuring they understand how their online behaviour and activities can have an impact on themselves and others.
To enable our students to develop skills and knowledge in Computing and Digital Technologies in order to prepare them for a future in a world where the use of this technology is fully embedded.
To prepare our students for the next stage of education, employment or training and enable them, as educated citizens, to contribute to creating a better world.
To allow students to utilise the benefits of modern technologies and be able to maximise this tool to further develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them both within and beyond their school life.
To allow our students to experience different programming languages to solve problems in order to generate an interest and passion in pursuing this further.
To stablish a culture of high aspirations and promote a commitment to lifelong learning.
To ensure that all students make outstanding progress in Computing irrespective of their starting points.

Curriculum Overview

	HT1	HT2	HT3	HT4	HT5	HT6
Y7	School systems Introduction to the school computer system. Students will learn about managing and organising their user area on their computer. They will send emails and access online learning.	E-Safety Students will learn about online safety and how they can stay safe. They will learn about how they can leave a digital foot print, when online. They will learn about cyberbullying.	Computer Systems & Networks Students will learn about the internal parts of a computer. They will learn about computer hardware and software. They will also learn about input and output devices. Students will learn about how data can be stored on a computer and will understand the difference between primary and secondary storage. They will also learn about how computers and resources can be connected together to create a network		Scratch Programming Students will use a programming language called Scratch. This is a visual block-based code, where students will select and slot the code to create a program. Students will independently follow a set of instructions to create programs and games using different variables.
Y8	Spreadsheets Students will show understand of how individuals and business might use a spreadsheet. Students will use basic formulas and functions in Excel.	Control Technology Students will learn about how we use control technology to do task which humans can’t do. Students will use a program called Flowol4 to program real-life mimics of different control systems.		Graphic Design Students will learn about digital graphics and how they are created. They will learn about image editing and will create a digital product in Photoshop. They will also learn about the purpose of graphics.	Web design Students will learn how to write HTML code to create a simple web page and navigation system and display it in a browser. They will learn about CSS and how it can be used to define styles used in a web page. Students will then design their own multi-page website.
Y9	Spreadsheet Interface (Prom) Students will continue to learn about spreadsheets and will create a spreadsheet to work out the cost of organising a Prom. They will use advance formulas to make calculation. They will create a spreadsheet that can be used by a business to organise a Prom.		Computing in the Business environment Students will learn about how computers can be used in the business environment. They will do lots of mini tasks, where they will use a variety of different applications to develop their skill further.		Binary Students will learn about how computers represent data and how a number system called binary is used to convert data in to something meaningful.	Sound Manipulation Students will learn about how sound is stored on a computer. They will create a sound track using a specialist sound editing software

To download this table, please click below.

Curriculum Overview 2021-22

What your child will learn in:

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9

Computing SMSC Statement

In Computer Science, SMSC and British Values are promoted as an important part of the subject. The subject naturally provides students with a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about the world around them and allow students to explore how technology has improved our everyday lives. Computer Science also allows students to reflect on how computers can sometimes perform better in certain activities than humans. It opens up opportunities for students to debate on aspects like ‘should humans be replaced with robots for particular jobs’. This makes students think about how evolving technology will shape future generations.

Through real-life scenarios, students are given the opportunity to consider issues surrounding the misuse and access rights to personal data. This encourages students to make informed judgements based on the evidence rather than their preconceptions whilst allowing the students the time to reflect on the origins of their perception of the topic. Students consider the effects of social networking and the consequences of cyberbullying; they also consider the legal aspects of computing including the Computer Misuse Act and Copyright legislation. They consider the implications of file sharing, downloading illegally and the penalties for engaging in this type of activity. Throughout the computing lessons, students are consistently reminded of the correct protocol and behaviour of using the internet and being online.

Students will also recognise the difference between right and wrong. The importance of following and respecting the law. They will understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions.

The computer science curriculum also helps students to explore aspects of real and imaginary situations and enables them to reflect on the possible consequences of different actions and situations. It can raise issues such as whether it is morally right to have computer games whose aim is killing and violence, and whether it is fair that some people in this country and other countries cannot use the internet. This will allow students to recognise the difference between right and wrong, unlawful acts, understanding the potential consequence of their behaviour and actions.

Computational thinking is embedded in the curriculum which encourages students to develop and explore their problem-solving skills. Students can apply the skills learnt in programming to other subjects like maths. Students explore how developments in technology have changed our culture, particularly the increasing use of social networking sites and the ability to communicate instantly across the UK and International borders. This allows students to recognise how technology has reduced cultural barriers and improved communication with other parts of the world.