The Computer Science Department welcome our new Year 7s to Outwood Academy Ripon, and we’re eager to meet you all in September!

We have designed a fun and engaging curriculum, that will build on the Computer Science and IT skills that students have developed in Primary. Throughout the year, we will explore a wide range of exciting opportunities designed to encourage and inspire a love of all things digital, through various fun projects and activities. Our aim is to inspire the next generation of Computer Scientists, programmers, web developers and everything in-between.

Students will delve into the History of Computers, and how inventions of the past have shaped our future. Students will become fluent in Computational Thinking concepts, embedding logic and core maths skills to work out puzzles and become resilient problem solvers.

Over the academic year we will learn how to use the internet safely, recognising dangers and raising awareness for younger students through creative posters, E-safety games, and iDEA, an online program that students can complete, to develop digital and enterprise skills. It is an initiative from the Duke of York and is the digital equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh programme.

We will develop our skills of digital literacy by taking part in a project, becoming confident in Google sheets, docs and slides.

Students are also introduced to block-based programming with Micro:bits, and recognise how this technology is embedded into everyday life through phone apps and game design. Finally, using Python Turtle, we will build on prior knowledge and skills covered over the year to use text-based programming, resulting in fully functional programs that allow you to get creative and draw various shapes and figures.