Computing

Ethos and Aims

A high-quality computing education equips students to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which 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, students are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.

KS3 CURRICULUM CONTENT

YEAR 7

Autumn term

Using Computers Safely – E-safety and computer use

Introduction to programming – Edublocks

Spring term

Computer and Cryptography

App Development

Summer term

Spreadsheet Modelling

Macros and Charts

YEAR 8

Autumn term

Using the internet Safely Cyber crime

Data handling- Database Construction

Spring term

Spreadsheet modelling – Developing and testing a new business model using Excel

Digital literacy skills via SWAY

Summer term

Flowcharts

 YEAR 9 IT

Autumn term

Graphics-Photo editing and Creating Animations

Spring term

Digital literacy skills via SWAY

Summer term

Database Construction using a Model Scenario

YEAR 9 COMPUTING

Autumn term

Programming – Learning to program with confidence using Python

Understanding Computers – Discover how computers work (hardware and software)

Spring term

Programming building and Controlling a Computer Device – Microbit

AI and Machine Learning

Summer term

Data Science

Programming extended – Solving practical problems in Python

KS4 CURRICULUM CONTENT

GCSE AQA COMPUTER SCIENCE

Students will develop and apply computational thinking skills to analyse problems and design solutions across a range of contexts whilst gaining practical experience of designing, writing, and testing computer programs that accomplish specific goals. Students will develop an awareness of the impact of computing on individuals, society and the environment, including ethical, legal and ownership issues.

Paper 1: Computational thinking and problem solving

What’s assessed? Computational thinking, problem solving, code tracing and applied computing as well as theoretical knowledge of computer science from subject content.

Paper 2: Written assessment

What’s assessed? Theoretical knowledge from subject content, this covers a wide range of aspects from how the computer works to ethical and legal issues surrounding the subject

Assessment: Both papers are 1 hour 30 minutes • 80 marks each • 50% each

UNITS OF STUDY:

• Fundamentals of algorithms
• Programming
• Fundamentals of data representation
• Computer systems
• Fundamentals of computer networks
• Relational databases and structured query language
• Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology

Specification available here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/gcse/computer-science-8525/specification-at-a-glance