Curriculum Overview

In KS3, the aim is to develop IT skills using applications from Microsoft Office and gain knowledge of modern technology. Students will get an understanding of how to operate computers to complete every day tasks and by the end they will be able to build a computer by themselves if they wish to do so. They will understand some basic coding structure and knowledge of binary, hardware and software. The overall goal is that all students in our school will know both ICT and Computing at some level to help them with whatever subjects they want to do in their remaining school years.

KS4 is for those who want to learn Computing further at GCSE, which I wholeheartedly recommend since we live in a digital age. Students will learn more in depth about how computer systems work, how the internet works, how all the devices are connected together, more coding (they will learn a few languages), how the data travels in the network and what is happening behind the scenes after you click a button. They will understand how to solve a problem using computational methods. They will develop their logical and critical thinking, analysis skills which will be useful in any career they choose to do so.

KS5 is for those who are thinking of studying STEM related subjects as a degree in university or want to pursue this subject as a future career path, then they should do A level Computer Science. Students who have studied GCSE Computing will find this an obvious step up.  Students who have not studied GCSE Computing would need to be committed/dedicated to put effort in advance of starting. They would need to pass an aptitude test to show that they can do this. Everything here will be more complex and require a deeper level of thinking. Student will learn advanced theory and coding in order to create real world applications as an independent research project.