-KS3 Computer Science

Curriculum

Intent:

The Computing department at Rainford aims to enable students to develop skills and knowledge in Computer Science and Digital Technologies to prepare them for a future in a world where the use of this technology is fully embodied. We wish to enthuse students to have an understanding far deeper than the interface that they currently operate.

We aim to enable students to develop a love of learning for the subject and an understanding that there are no limits to their own development in programming and IT.

Using the strands of computational thinking will aid learners with their Computer Science studies and ability to solve problems, as it is embedded within everyday life activities. Students will develop transferable IT skills that can be used across different curriculums to support their academic studies and build their resilience and independence.

 Implementation:

Development of our engaging curriculum will provide students with a broad Computing and IT knowledge set covering a range of key principles from Computer Systems to Computational Thinking and Programming. The curriculum will cover content from within the ever fast paced changing digital world and the technology that it encompasses with the latest technology available for students to use.

Students will develop their enthusiasm and resilience within the subject and will be provided the opportunity to enrich their education and learning through robotics lunchtime clubs and industry level cyber security training.

KS3 students will learn the importance of staying safe online and how computer systems work. They will be given the opportunity to develop their programming and digital technology skills through different engaging projects to stretch and challenge their knowledge.

Students will be regularly assessed through tests and quality projects created to ensure knowledge and understanding that has been learnt can be applied to different scenarios.

Moving into KS4 students will develop their previously acquired skills and be able to apply them to larger projects and overcome more complex problems. Students will further develop their understanding of computational thinking and how computers work and overcome a variety of different projects were skills must be applied.

Through studying how different systems work students will have an excellent understanding of all aspects of computer science and their impact on society and the wider world.

Impact:

Our aim is for students to engage and enjoy the subject across all different aspects and understand how the development of IT is rapidly changing and will be a large part of their lives and careers.

Students will leave with the skills to fully embrace a future of rapidly advancing computer technology. Students will be armed with skills to be able to problem solve in numerous fields within the subject and be ready for the jobs of the future.

Students will be in strong positions to be able to apply for apprenticeship careers within IT, cyber security or software development or apply to a related higher level education course.

 Careers and Opportunities

Almost all careers require some use of ICT resource. Specific job roles available are roles such as web developer, software engineer, cyber security, network management. ICT and computing offer a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities as well as opportunities to study at a Higher Education level.

 

Facilities

We have 5 fully equipped ICT rooms one of which is a Pi Lab allowing for a greater number of programming projects to be undertaken.

Support

We run a weekly computing club that allows students to engage with some exciting projects from games development to robotics.

Extra Curricular

We offer a range of trips from visits for cyber security workshops to university trips.

Year 7 Curriculum:
  • Autumn term – 1 How Computers Work:-
    • E-Safety
    • Computer Systems
    • Computer Components
    • CPU
    • Memory (ROM and RAM)
    • Operating Systems
    • Binary
    • ASCII
    • Image Representation
    • Decomposition
    • Algorithms
    • Flowcharts
  • Spring term -7.2 Microbit Programming
    • Logic (flowcharts)
    • Selection
    • Variables
    • Iteration
    • Analysis of a given problem
    • Designs (of a game)
    • Development (of a game)
    • Testing (of a game)
    • Evaluation (of a game)
  • Summer Term -7.3 Digital Literacy
    • Files and folder structures
    • Images and File formats
    • Image editing
    • Word Processing
    • Presentations
    • Publishing
    • Jobs and Careers.

Assessment – your child’s progress will be assessed against the Computer Science Progress Ladders. Your child will be assessed formally in our whole-school Assessment Fortnights twice a year. In addition short end of term quizzes will be used to ensure you child has learnt some of the fundamental theory and key knowledge needed to study computer science.

Resources – to help support your child’s learning we have detailed Knowledge Organisers on each topic we teach. To help develop your child’s vocabulary and foster a love for reading, we also set four reading homeworks a term which are published on Show My Homework. Further useful resources include:

Year 8 Curriculum:
  • Autumn term -8.1 Computer Systems
    • E-safety
    • Computer Systems
    • Memory
    • Binary
    • Logic Gates
    • Networks
    • Software
    • Storage
    • Compression
    • WWW
    • Email and Communication
    • Spreadsheets
  • Spring term 8.2 HTML
    • HTML Intro
    • HTML Skills
    • Colour in HTML
    • Images and Video in HTML
    • CSS
    • Java script
    • Homepage creation
    • Website Development
    • Testing and Evaluation
  • Summer term 8.3 Python Turtle
    • Algorithms
    • Sequencing
    • Variables
    • Selection
    • Iteration
    • Sub Routines
    • Application (fun with flags)
    • Application (Making a Game)

Assessment – your child’s progress will be assessed against the Computer Science Progress Ladders. Your child will be assessed formally in our whole-school Assessment Fortnights twice a year. In addition, In addition short end of term quizzes will be used to ensure you child has learnt some of the fundamental theory and key knowledge needed to study computer science.

Resources – to help support your child’s learning we have detailed Knowledge Organisers on each topic we teach. To help develop your child’s vocabulary and foster a love for reading, we also set four reading homework’s a term which are published on Show My Homework. Further useful resources include:

Year 9 Curriculum:
  • Autumn term -9.1 Computer Systems
    • E-safety
    • CPU and Registers
    • Memory
    • Networks
    • Binary and Hex
    • Logic Gates
    • Sound and Compression
    • LMC
    • Database table and Data Types
    • Database Queries
    • Database SQL
    • Database Reports
    • Database Forms
  • Spring term – 9.2 Programming
    • Algorithms
    • Flow charts
    • Variables
    • Selection
    • Iteration
    • Arrays
    • Calculator program
    • Design a program
    • Develop a program
    • Test and evaluate your program
  • Summer term -9.3 Cyber Security
    • Hacking
    • Legal Issues
    • Dangers online
    • Hacking Strategies
    • Caesar Ciphers
    • Environmental Issues
    • 9.4 Image editing
    • Introduction to Photoshop
    • Photoshop Tools
    • Layering images
    • Modifying images
    • Designing a Magazine cover
    • Creating a Magazine cover
    • Evaluation of work.

 

Assessment – your child’s progress will be assessed against the Computer Science Progress Ladders. Your child will be assessed formally in our whole-school Assessment Fortnights three times a year.  In addition, In addition short end of term quizzes will be used to ensure you child has learnt some of the fundamental theory and key knowledge needed to study computer science.

Resources – to help support your child’s learning we have detailed Knowledge Organisers on each topic we teach. To help develop your child’s vocabulary and foster a love for reading, we also set four reading homeworks a term which are published on Show My Homework. Further useful resources include: