Key Stage 3 curriculum

Description

Our curriculum is based on the resources from the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) which is mapped to the national curriculum. We wanted to emphasise the importance of cybersecurity so we deliver two units on cybersecurity, in year 8 and year 9. We have achieved this by delivering the year 9 unit in year 8 and have refined the NCCE KS4 unit on cybersecurity for delivery in year 9. In addition, we modified the KS4 unit on algorithms to introduce these ideas in year 9, to meet the requirements of the national curriculum. As a grammar school, this more advanced material provides increased challenge to our learners.

Content

Key areas :-

Year 7 – Impact of Technology, Networks, Modelling data with spreadsheets, Programming in Scratch.

Year 8 – Data representation (text and numbers), Cybersecurity, Computing systems, Programming in Python, Developing for the web.

Year 9 – Data representation (images and sound), Python programming (advanced), Algorithms,

Cybersecurity (advanced). Students not continuing with Computer Science after options choices follow the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA) program.

Exam board

OCR GSCE (9-1) Computer Science J277

Description

From the outset, we focus on key practical skills required to solve problems in a way that computers understand, using both algorithms and programming in Python, including the use of an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). We teach the more theoretical aspects of the course in a sequence that allows learners to build knowledge, linking to previous information and develop their understanding of the contents of the specification. When these theoretical aspects relate to programming techniques, sample programs are used to embed the learning and students write their own programs to consolidate the knowledge.

Content

• Systems architecture
• Memory and storage
• Computer networks, connections and protocols
• Network security
• Systems software
• Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology
• Algorithms
• Programming fundamentals
• Producing robust programs
• Boolean logic
• Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments

Exam board

OCR Computer Science H446

Description

We understand that not all students will have studied Computer Science at GSCE so take a similar approach to that at GSCE, focussing from the outset on key practical skills and knowledge required to solve problems in a way that computers understand, using both algorithms and programming in Python, including the use of an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). This supports the programming project which students undertake. We aim to complete half of the programming project in year 12 and the rest in year 13. We teach the more theoretical aspects of the course in a sequence that allows learners to build knowledge, linking to previous information and develop their understanding of the contents of the specification. When these theoretical aspects relate to programming techniques, sample programs are used to embed the learning and students write their own programs to consolidate the knowledge.

Content

• The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices

• Software and software development

• Exchanging data

• Data types, data structures and algorithms

• Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues

• Elements of computational thinking

• Problem-solving and programming

• Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms

• Programming project (analysis, design, development and evaluation)

The ICT suite is open every lunchtime for pupils to continue with, or get help with, their work.

The school runs a regular 'Coder Dojo¹ coding club in the library after school, where professional software engineers come in to work with pupils on their coding projects.