Intent
The computing curriculum at GM School is designed to equip pupils with computational thinking, problem solving and digital literacy skills, to be able to navigate real life challenges and the wider world of work. This is done through:
- Making students aware of the wide range of career options available to promote ambitious choices in the computing industry
- Increasing students’ cultural capital by giving access to digital resources, in and outside of school, tackling the increasing digital divide, whilst also reducing the gender gap
- Providing students with meaningful qualifications and opportunities which enable them to be successful and achieve within school, in their lives and in their work after leaving us
- Enabling students to build an understanding of the wider ethical and legal issues with regard to computer use
Implementation
Key Stage 3 follows the National Curriculum and is taught in mixed ability groups over 2 hours per fortnight. From the start to end of a topic, students work using a combination of theory based and practical based lessons, developing both skills and knowledge, and they are assessed on their understanding every half term. Knowledge is taught through modelling and scaffolding. Students are exposed to the core knowledge which they will require later on within KS4 (through the use of a spiralled curriculum) and also IT skills which will help them develop problems and become “digitally literate” later on within their academic careers.
Key Stage 3
Helpful Resources
BBC Key Stage 3 Bitesize: Computing
Year 7
In Year 7 we start to explore the world of computing. We learn about how to build computer programs through creating sequences of instructions to manipulate data. We also undertake creative projects with digital images and learn about how computers actually work.
Units include: Online safety, digital media skills, games programming, text based programming, computing theory.
Year 8
In Year 8 we start to write more complex and structured computer programs. We also apply our knowledge to creating mobile apps and look at the more complex data structures contained in databases.
Units include: Social networking, mobile apps, computing theory, programming ciphers, data and databases.
Year 9
In Year 9 we focus on preparing students for their GCSE studies in Key Stage 4. Firstly we enhance programming skills and computer science knowledge for those that will take GCSE Computer Science. Secondly we engage in design projects to help prepare for IT. Finally, we engage in skills building for effective office skills. This enables pupils to efficiently create effective documents for all their subjects.
Units include: Networks and the Internet, web design, programming and algorithms and IT skills for Key Stage 4.
Key Stage 4
GCSE Computer Science
AQA GCSE Computer Science; graded 1-9
Course Content
GCSE Computer Science is a challenging course that covers the foundations of computer science and programming. Students learn logical thinking and problem solving skills which can be applied in a wide variety of work settings. Understanding the fundamentals of computer technology can help students to rapidly understand new application programs.
When studied further at college and university, computing can lead to a range of high-demand technology careers. Computing is a very young subject that is changing the world at an incredible pace. It is becoming vital to study computing in order to understand the modern world.
Helpful Resources
https://projecteuler.net – If you have a mathematical mind and think you can really code then try Project Euler
Enrichment Opportunities
Outside of the classroom, students have an opportunity to take part in a variety of enrichment activities to further develop their problem solving and computational thinking skills which include after school coding/robotics clubs, the annual Bebras competition for both primary and secondary pupils and much more!