Computing

Primary Curriculum Intent: Computing

Our Computing curriculum aims to provide children with confidence and knowledge of the online world. We aim to support all children of all backgrounds to become healthy, responsible members of a digital society.

Computing knowledge is essential for pupils to navigate the modern world efficiently and safely and our computing curriculum empowers children to become a force for positive change in both the real and online world.  We provide our children with the tools for future employability and personal protection to underpin aspiration and promote social mobility whilst protecting their online image and identity. We teach our children to understand the risks of the online world and how to respond to said risks in a safe and positive manner whilst recognising the benefits and opportunities of a connected world.

Our computing curriculum is designed to encompass a broad and balanced range of procedural knowledge such as creating a PowerPoint presentation and declarative knowledge such as how our online self-image may be different from ourselves in real life.  From the National Curriculum we have identified and developed four key areas that form our programme of study for computing:

• Programming
• Technology in our live
• Handling Data
• Multimedia

E-Safety is of paramount importance and to educate our pupils how to stay safe online. Our golden threads for E-Safety curriculum are interwoven through the curriculum with strands connecting Computing, PSHE, SMSC and school wide events such as Safer Internet Day.

We recognise that the online world is an important part of our pupils’ lives and our ACTIVEBYTES E-Safety programme teaches the children the risks of the online world, how to navigate it safely, who to go to for advice and how to conduct themselves online. 

E-safety is split into 3 key themes:

• I am kind and responsible – Sensible rules to keep pupils safe using technology
• I am safe and secure – Keeping personal information private, knowing that no everyone is who they say they are online
• I am healthy – Self-image and online personas.

Discrete, context specific E-Safety lessons and assemblies are used to support the emerging needs of our pupils i.e. Addictive technology , Minecraft & Roblox, Online Gambling, etc. These can be used to target context specific E-Safety concerns and challenge online biases and prejudices for example Andrew Tate and misogyny.

Years 7, 8 and 9

In Years 7, 8 and 9, students develop the knowledge and skills to become component in their use of ICT which helps to assist them in their learning across all of the subjects that they take as part of the Academy curriculum. Students also learn basic computer programming skills which enables them to understand how to write computer code and apply their skills in a practical computing context. Students are assessed through a series of projects which are completed on a half termly basis.

Topics studied include:

• E-Safety
• App design
• Website design
• Python Programming
• Algorithms
• HTML and Javascript
• Networks
• Introduction to Computer Systems – inc Hardware, Software, Binary

Years 10 & 11

Course Title: Computing (J275)
Exam Board: OCR
Qualification: GCSE

About the course
This course is ending in July 2017. Students cover the following units.

A451 – Computer Systems and Programming.
A452 – Practical Investigation.
A453 – Programming Project.

How it is assessed
Unit 1: A451 - One and a half hour written examination. 40% of GCSE.
Unit 2: A452 - Controlled Assessment task. 30% of GCSE.
Unit 3: A453 - Controlled Assessment task. 30% of GCSE.

Course Title: Computer Science (J276) – From September 2016 (assessed form 2018)
Exam Board: OCR
Qualification: GCSE (9-1)

About the course
This course starts in September 2016. Students will cover the following units.

Unit 1: Computer Systems.

Students learn about

• Systems architecture
• Memory
• Storage
• Wired and wireless networks
• Network topologies, protocols and layers
• System security
• Systems software
• Moral, legal, cultural and environmental concerns

Unit 2: Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming.

Students learn about:

• Algorithms
• Programming techniques
• Producing robust programs
• Computational logic
• Translators and facilities of languages
• Data representation

Unit 3: Programming Project.

Students will complete a controlled assessment demonstrating the following skills:

• Programming techniques
• Analysis
• Design
• Development
• Testing and evaluation and conclusions

How it is assessed

Unit 1: Computer Systems – One and a half hour written examination taken at the end of Year 11 (40% of the GCSE marks)
Unit 2: Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming – One and a half hour written examination taken at the end of Year 11 (40% of the GCSE marks)
Unit 3: Programming Project – Controlled assessment (20% of the GCSE marks)

For further information: http://ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-computer-science-j276-from-2016/

Years 12 & 13

Course Title: National Diploma in Computer Science
Exam Board: Pearson BTEC
Qualification: Level 3 720 Guided learning hours (equivalent to 2 A Levels)

About the course: This course is designed to support learners who want a strong core study of computer science providing the opportunity to develop sector knowledge and practical skills. This course will enable progression to roles in the computing industry or progression to higher education.

Computer science covers a broad variety of roles that ensure complex systems and software applications are designed, built and maintained to appropriate standards. The National Diploma consists of six mandatory units:

Unit 1: Principles of Computer Science

Unit 3: Planning and Management of Computing Projects

Unit 5: Building Computer Systems

Unit 6: IT Systems Security

Unit 22: Systems Analysis and Design

Unit 24: Software Development

Through optional units the course also provides the opportunity to explore human-computer interaction, website development, object-orientated programming, mobile apps development, relational database development, web application development, programmable devices and controllers, and computer forensics.

How will I be assessed? The National Diploma in Computer Science consists of 10 units. Of which 6 units are mandatory and 4 are optional. During the course you will  build a portfolio of work consisting of a range of assessment techniques including written exams, set tasks and assignments, 2 units are marked externally and 8 units are marked internally and verified externally.

Why should I choose the National Diploma in Computer Science? By undertaking this course you will have access to lessons delivered in our state of the art computer suites exploring a range of topics preparing you for industry and/ or higher education. You will also have the opportunity to work with specialists in the field through guests speakers attending pre-arranged lessons and visits to various computing companies building networks in industry bringing your knowledge and skills to life.

Course Title: Computing (2510)
Exam Board: AQA
Qualification: AS/A Level

About the course
In Year 12, students complete units COMP1 and COMP2. In Year 13, students study and complete units COMP3 and COMP4.

Component 1:  COMP1 – Problem Solving, Programming, Data Representation and Practical Exercise

Overview of content
Students learn about Fundamentals of Problem Solving, Fundamentals of Programming, Fundamentals of Data Representation and System Development Life Cycle

Contribution to final grade: 60% of AS, 30% of A Level

How it is assessed
Two hour, on-screen examination.

Component 2:  COMP2 – Computer Components, The Stored Program Concept and The Internet

Overview of content
Students learn about Fundamentals of Computer Systems, Fundamental Hardware Elements of Computers, Machine Level Architecture, Hardware Devices, the Structure of the Internet, Web Page Design and Consequences of Using Computing

Contribution to final grade: 40% of AS, 20% of A Level

How it is assessed
One hour written examination

Component 3:  COMP3 – Problem Solving, Programming, Operating Systems, Databases and Networking.

Overview of content
Students learn about Problem Solving, Programming Concepts, Real Numbers, Operating Systems, Databases, and Communication and Networking.

Contribution to final grade: 30% of A Level

How it is assessed
Two and a half hour written examination

Component 4:  COMP4 – The Computing Practical Project

Overview of content
Students need to demonstrate the following skills – analysis, design, construction/implementation, testing and evaluation of a substantial computer-based task, undertaken over an extended period.

Contribution to final grade: 20% of A Level

How it is assessed
Coursework, internally assessed, and moderated by AQA.

For further information: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/ict-and-computer-science/as-and-a-level/computing-2510