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St Alban's Catholic High School

St Alban's
Catholic High School

Computing

Subject Vision

A high-quality computing education equips pupils 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 pupils 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, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.

Computing also ensures 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.

We aim to:

  • understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
  • analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs to solve such problems
  • can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
  • inspire students to be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

What resources are available?

Resources are generally shared with students via MS Teams, however our resources are generally similar to those found at www.teachcomputing.org which are the same as those found at https://www.thenational.academy/pupils/years

BBC Bitesize (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zvc9q6f ) also has a KS3 computing section

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview

 

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Aut.1

Intro to computers/ VLE/ Emails/ Esafety

Image edting in Photopea

(ROTATION 1) Cyber safety using Cyberexplorers

Aut.2

Spreadsheet Modelling

Computational thinking in Bebras and TuringLab

(ROTATION 2) Game development in GDevelop

Spr.1

Data representation, Hardware and Software

Programming in a text based language – Python

(ROTATION 3) Designing for the web and data representation

Spr.2

Block based programming in Scratch

App development and computational thinking

(ROTATION 4 is blank due to rotating)

Sum.1

2D & 3D modelling and animation in wick editor and blender

If students choose Computer Science as an option, the last 10 weeks are spent upskilling in Python Programming

Sum.2

Physical programming with the micro:bit and Microsoft Makecode / code.org

Where does this subject lead me?

At KS4 Computer Science is an options subject.  There has never been a more important time to study Computer Science.  GCSE Computer Science explores the challenges faced by human beings and aims to identify solutions for all our futures.  

The skills taught in Computing at Key Stage 3 are valuable for a wide range of other subjects, including (but not limited to):

  • Business
  • Graphics / Art / Design Technology
  • Geography

 

For more information on careers in Computing, the following links are useful:

 

 

KS4 Computer Science

 

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Overview

 

Year 10

Year 11

Aut.1

OCR 9-1 GCSE computer science J277 –

 

 1.2.3 Units & 1.2.4 Data storage (Representation) & 1.2.5 Compression

 

2.3 Producing robust programs

 

2.4 Boolean logic

 

2.5 Programming languages and IDES

Aut.2

1.1 Systems architecture

 

1.2 Memory and storage

MOCK EXAMS

 

2.2.3 Additional programming techniques

Spr.1

1.5 Systems software

 

1.3 Computer networks, connections and

protocols

2.2.3 Additional programming techniques

 

Revision (past papers)

Spr.2

1.4 Network security

 

1.6 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental

impacts of digital technology

 

Practice paper 1

Revision (past papers)

Sum.1

2.1 Algorithms

 

2.2 Programming fundamentals part 1

 

Y10 PPES – MOCK PAPER

Revision (past papers)

Sum.2

2.2 Programming fundamentals part 2

 

Where does this subject lead me?

The OCR GCSE in Computer Science (J277 Syllabus) provides an excellent basis for A Level both in Computer Science and a range of other subjects including ICT, Engineering, Physics, Geography and Mathematics

Employers, Sixth Form Colleges and Universities value the important range of transferable skills that Computer Science delivers. Indeed, Computer Science (indeed in Technology, Engineering and Maths) has one of the highest graduate employment rates of any subject. https://luminate.prospects.ac.uk/what-do-technology-engineering-and-maths-graduates-do#:~:text=For%20computer%20science%20graduates%2C%20the,paid%2C%20degree%2Drelated%20employment.

 

Key Stage 5 Curriculum Overview

 

Year 12

Year 13

Aut.1

H446 OCR A-Level computers science Linear

 

1.4.1 Data types

 

1.1 Characteristics of processors (incl. LMC Assembly language)

 

2.2 Programming techniques

1.3.2 Databases

 

2.3 Algorithms

 

Aut.2

1.4.3 Boolean Algebra

 

1.3.4 Web Technologies

 

2.3 Algorithms

 

1.2 Software and software development

 

Spr.1

2.2 Object oriented programming

 

1.4.2 Data structures

 

1.5 Legal moral ethical

 

PPE Y13 January Mock Exams

 

Past exam papers & revision

Spr.2

1.3.1 Compression encryption and hashing

 

1.3.3 Networks

 

Hand in coursework (NEA) before Easter

 

Past exam papers & revision

Sum.1

Y12  PPEs

 

2.1 Elements of computational thinking

 

2.2.2 Computational methods

 

NEA Submitted to exam board 15th May

 

Past exam papers & revision

Sum.2

NEA coursework project work

 

Work experience

 

 

Where does this subject lead me?

Computer Science is a well-respected and sought after qualification for a wide verity of Higher Education Courses. Logical thinking and problems solving skills are highly valued in the work place and lucrative industries like IT, banking and the stock market need people confident in using Computer Science on a daily basis. 

Careers Information

For more information on careers in Computing, the following links are useful:

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