The intent of the Computer Science curriculum at Addey and Stanhope School is to ensure that we teach a broad and robust curriculum which achieves the objectives of the National Curriculum for Computer Science. All Schemes of Work are planned, designed, and taught to meet the aims of the National Curriculum.
We are aware that Computer Science and ICT is a fast-growing sector in the employment industry, therefore we ensure that our students have a robust Computer Science curriculum, allowing them to be ready for transition into further education, work-based apprenticeship courses and in some instances employment which requires the application of these skills. Students are taught Computer Science with ICT from KS3 and have the choice of studying Computer Science as an option subject in KS4
Using the National Curriculum for Computer Science as the foundation for all content covered, students 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.
The aim of the Computer Science Curriculum is also to ensure 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. It intends for students to apply ‘Thinking Hard’ techniques when learning the core of computing which is computer science.
Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science.
Analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
A spiral curriculum has been implemented and students will see similar topics taught at KS1 and 2 throughout their time at Addey and Stanhope School; with each encounter increasing in complexity and reinforcing previous learning. For example, Internet safety and the responsible use of technology will be revisited several times throughout the course of their studies.
Masterclasses are made available for those who have been unable to access the material in lesson and the Coding club allows students to develop their practical skills and interest in the more practical side of the subject.
In order to ensure that lessons are challenging but remain accessible, we use a range of differentiation techniques. These include but are not limited to the following:
In Year 7 students have 55 minutes of Computer Science with ICT per week. They are taught about the ethical aspects of Computer Science and ICT and the first unit covers E-safety. The next key focus in Year 7 is image manipulation and video editing. They use several different programs and techniques to present on topics studied in the E-safety unit. Students then move on to study spreadsheets and will develop skills such data entry, use of formula and functions and how to use spreadsheets to model real life scenarios. They move on to study topics that are more geared to the Computer Science curriculum such as Computer Systems development, binary and coding using the BBC Micro bit. The final unit in year 7 is the use of email on computer networks.
In Year 8 the students have 55 minutes of Computer Science with ICT per week. The first term in Year 8 is centred around a technology unit, with the use of ICT and variety of Microsoft Office software as a medium of presenting their work. Students learn about the different parts of a computer system and the different types of software available including their functions in a computer. They go on to study the development of algorithms and pseudo code before going on to code mini systems using Visual Basic and Python.
In Year 9 Students have 55 minutes of Computer Science with ICT per week. The first term of Computer Science is focussed on the students covering a Networking Unit. Again, they use various Microsoft Office Software to present their work. They move on to plan, design, develop, test and evaluate a website. Students continue to develop the programming techniques covered in Year 8 and will start coding more complex systems using Visual Basic and Python.
In KS4, we offer GCSE Computer Science to students who chose to study it as an option subject for their GCSEs. This is a 2- year course and covers all topics in the OCR GCSE curriculum for Computer Science. Students have 3 lessons of Computer Science per week. The course covers 3 main units of work: Computer Systems, Computational Thinking and Programming.
The course is assessed by students writing two exam papers. The grade they attain in the end is based solely on the written exams. However, they are also required to spend time completing programming tasks, with written confirmation that time was spent on such projects getting submitted to the examination board. No grade is assigned to this piece of work, but it is formal requirement of the course.