LAST UPDATED NOV 2025: Values linked Effort and Behaviour ratings and Journey to Senior Phase page added
Topics Overview
Web Design & Development – S3
Pupils learned about key web design principles and developed their design vocabulary while building confidence in website creation through the use of Google Sites. They explored how layout, structure, and visual elements influence user experience and applied this understanding when creating and managing their own sites.
Pupils then created a “Wonderful World of Cephalopods” website using HTML and CSS, learning how to structure webpages using divisions and navigation bars. They developed their coding skills by applying both internal and external style sheets to independently style their webpages. Pupils used online resources to extend their learning, adding additional code and features of their choice to an additional webpage all about the “Kaken”.
To showcase their learning, pupils used Adobe Express to create and narrate a video explaining how they designed and built their website. They enhanced their webpages by embedding images and videos, including screen recordings of their own websites, which were then uploaded to their personal Google Sites.
Python Turtles & Programming – S3
Pupils familiarised themselves with the Python Turtle module, progressing through a wide range of geometric challenges and culminating in the creation of their own original designs. They developed confidence in core programming concepts, including loops, nested loops, lists/arrays, randomisation, procedures and functions, as well as the use of aliases within the Python programming language.
Pupils will move on to creating flag designs, developing their understanding of coordinates, before creating, training, and racing their own Aberdeenshire Python Racing Turtle. Finally, pupils will edit a short video inspired by the Netflix logo, attempting to recreate it using the programming skills and knowledge they have developed.
Moving forward, pupils will build on this foundation by exploring data types and structuring algorithms to solve problems based on the analysis of a design brief. This work will be evaluated in a manner similar to National-level courses, giving pupils valuable experience of what to expect in Software Design and Development at National qualification level.
The reports for Computing Science have been generated by analysing how well pupils have coped with the various topics and looking at the benchmarks that coincide with these units of work. Summative assessment has included looking at pupil’s submissions such as their created website, mobile timeline and in class research tasks. Formative assessment has been used in class to check pupils progress/understanding of programming / logic exercises and recently how they have started with app creation.
The course in S3 is designed around the CfE level 3 Outcomes and Benchmarks, moving on to level 4 in the second half of the year.
Working Level and Working Grade descriptions for S3 Computing:
Third A: A pupil achieving this level- will be making excellent progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving well against all the outcomes covered. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the work that they have so far completed. There will be evidence that they have taken the project further than was required.
Third B: A pupil achieving this level- will be making good progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving well against most the outcomes covered. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the work that they have so far completed.
Third C: A pupil achieving this level- will be making reasonable progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving well against some the outcomes covered while finding others challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed.
Third D: A pupil achieving this level- will be making some progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving against a few of the outcomes covered while finding others challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed.
Second A to D: A pupil achieving these levels- will be making some progress at CfE Level 3, is achieving against a few of the outcomes covered while finding most challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the tasks that they have so far completed.
At this stage in the Computing curriculum, pupils on a pathway towards achieving SCQF Level 5 in S4 will be working at Fourth C or above.
Further information, including an overview for all subject areas can be found here.