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. Therefore, 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 are ensuring 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 take on 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 therefore 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 therefore 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 at the same time remain accessible students I include a range of differentiation techniques, which will include but are not limited to the following:
In Year 7 the 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 will be using several different programs and techniques to present on topics studied in the E-safety unit. The students will then move on to study spreadsheet and will develop skills such as how to enter data into a spreadsheet, use of formula and functions and how to use spreadsheet to model real life scenarios. They will then move on to study topics that are more geared to the Computer Science curriculum such as the 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 the students covering a technology unit, with the use of ICT and variety of Microsoft Office software as a medium of presenting their work. The students will be learning about the different parts of a computer system and the different types of software
that are available including their functions in a computer. They then 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 will be using various Microsoft Office Software to present their work. They will then move on to plan, design, develop, test and evaluate a website. The students will then continue to develop on the programming techniques that they studied 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 GCSE. This is a 2 years course and will cover all topics in the OCR GCSE curriculum for Computer Science. Students will have 3 lessons of Computer Science per week, with each lesson lasting 55 minutes. The course covers 3 main units of work, which are: 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.