Home|Curriculum|Subjects|Computing

Computing

We offer a curriculum that will help to shape analytical learners that can apply logic and problem-solving skills to maximise their potential across their learning and in future careers. 

Creativity and engagement is paramount. Students look forward to their lessons with staff who are enthusiastic and passionate about Computing and IT. We offer qualifications that are accessible and engaging for all.

Students are equipped with the skills that will help them to achieve what they want out of life, and ignite an interest in technology and innovation.

Curriculum

Year 7

There is no discrete computing curriculum in Year 7. Students begin Computing in Year 8.

Year 8

All students receive one hour of Computing per week.

The curriculum builds programming knowledge and computational thinking through five units, each using a different environment:

  • Principles of algorithmic thinking (unplugged activities and pseudocode)
  • Game design with Kodu
  • Control systems and flowcharts with Flowol
  • Games programming with Scratch
  • First textual programming with Small Basic

Year 9

Core (My Digital Business)

Students choose a career or business interest in the first unit and create four professional digital products for it across the year:

  • Logo design
  • Promotional or educational video
  • Graphical poster
  • Interactive Digital Media (multi-page website)
Creative Computing Option

A two-lessons-per-week pathway preparing students for GCSE Computer Science:

  • Advanced programming in Scratch
  • Methods of algorithm design
  • Building event-driven apps with Code.org App Lab
  • Programming in Python
  • Cyber Explorers (national cyber security competition)
  • Computer systems theory
  • Physical computing with Micro:bits and BitBot peripherals

Year 10

iMedia
  • R094 - Visual Identity and Digital Graphics
  • R097 - Interactive Digital Media (introduction)
Computer Science
  • Systems architecture, memory and storage
  • Data representation
  • Systems software and security
  • Algorithms
  • Programming Python skills

Year 11

iMedia
  • R097 - Interactive Digital Media
  • R093 - Creative iMedia in the Media Industry
Computer Science
  • Systems architecture, memory and storage
  • Data representation
  • Systems software and security
  • Algorithms
  • Programming Python skills

Assessment

OCR L2/L1 iMedia

  • 2 coursework units
  • 1 written exam

GCSE Computing

  • 2 written exams at the end of Year 11

Further Education and Careers

Courses you could study at university include:

  • Building and Surveying
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Design
  • Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Careers which require a Computing qualification include:

  • Application Analyst
  • Applications Developer
  • Cyber Security Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Database Administrator
  • Forensic Computer Analyst
  • IT Consultant
  • Software Engineer
  • Systems Analyst
  • UX Designer
  • Web Designer
  • Web Developer

Career Card

Newsletter

See below for all issues of our Maths and Computing Faculty newsletter!