Key Stage 3

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum

KS3 at SWBGS will cover all the essential skills on the computer. Not just about typing words in Google but knowing whether the information they found is from the reliable source and how to notice these things. Everything they do will be related to the real world situation. Linking with Computational Methods such as analytical, logical, concurrent and critical thinking will be essential in any job or career and build the foundation from their early age.

They will learn logical thinking in Flowchart and Scratch animation. Then develop the skill to be more independent and creative project such as Pacman or Hunger Game in Scratch. The idea is to encourage them to create their own game rather than playing the game that other have made. In this next task, they will learn decomposition and abstraction on the Cartoon drawing. The idea is to analyze and break down shape that made in their chosen cartoon character and recreate it in their own way using MS Publisher. In this task for example, they are learning both ICT skill such as drawing tools as well as thinking like a Computer Scientist. Students will also find this task fun, engaging and also these essential skills can develop further into GCSE and A level. So I am preparing and shaping the way that students think from the Year 7.

They will also create a basic website using HTML. Yes there are plenty of websites or software out there that allow you to create your own website by dragging the image or creating a text box but this is not how we Computer Scientist do. I want these children to learn basic structure of coding in HTML in a notepad. It may be out of their comfort zone at the start but after the first lesson, they will starting to see the value of coding skill. I used to say to the students imagine that you are an accountant. £10.50 and take that decimal out. How much is it now? Imagine that if you make this kind of mistake in real world. So attention to details matter, learn from the mistakes and the same in programming.

At the of the Year 7, they will learn Hardware, Sensors and Software. They will get a chance to see inside the computer and break it apart to identify which part of component is what and their purpose in the computer or phone. They can now build their own PC since they should have the knowledge of CPU, RAM, ROM, motherboard, HDD, SSD, GPU, power supply etc. They will also understand various different type of Apps and know the main features of each of these software. There is a short end of unit test for this topic and some units will have peer assessment.

In Year 8, we will talk about Spreadsheet and Database which is essential to know how to use in modern world. We will also do the basic Python and by the end of KS3, they should have basic coding knowledge of these two languages (HTML and Python). Toward the end of the year, they will have a group project to create a new restaurant (any type of restaurant, could be Italian, fish and chip, take away, kebab, etc) business in Marlow. This project will bring all the software skills from both Microsoft and Adobe that they have learnt since Year 7, combine with all their creative, logical and problem solving skills to create their own logo, brand name, spreadsheet for profit, cost etc, database for staff and customer information, DTP and graphic design for poster, menu, trifold leaflet, banner, business card and website with booking form table. They will work in a group of 3 and also develop team work, communication, leadership, meeting deadline and they will take their own responsibility for this project. The teacher will guide and give suggestion for each group in the lesson.

These are just an example of what we do here at SWBGS. They will have enough knowledge and skills to tackle any daily task on the computer even if they don't choose this subject at GCSE. There are a lot of practical activities that are enjoyable and fun. We usually have about 40-50% of our students carry on to study GCSE.