Welcome to the Computing Department
     2022 - 2023      

Mr Neil Brand
Curriculum Leader

The Team:

Mr Chris Legg         Classroom Teacher & Assistant Head Teacher

Introduction to the Department

Welcome to the Computer Science Department Curriculum information page. Our aim within the department is to build up the students’ confidence in computational thinking, problem solving, programming and in working with range of technology. Our KS3 curriculum has three main themes; Computer Science, Digital literacy and IT. Students learn about hardware and processing, building algorithms, programming, data representation, online safety all delivered through a blended learning style. In KS4 students can, and a large proportion do, opt to study GCSE Computer Science. In the following section I have outlined an overarching view of the curriculum for Computer Science however, due to current circumstances, sections may change or delivered in a varied structure.

Key Stage 3 Information

In Key Stage 3 we periodically review our curriculum to ensure that we can deliver a curriculum that is fun, current and relevant to the students we teach. The curriculum supports learners in developing their computational thinking, problem solving and programming skills. Students learn about abstraction, decomposition, sequencing and core programming constructs. Students use a range of hardware and software, creating programs using a range of programming languages and learn how computers operate. E-safety is another strand of our curriculum that we take great pride in exploring with the students. The department and the school understand the importance of ensuring all individuals are safe, kind and knowledgeable when engaging with online communities and services. We also explore networking, web development and the presentation of information in computer systems.

KS3 Overview

	Term 1 (Autumn)	Term 2 (Spring)	Term 3 (Summer)
Year 7	Introduction to school systems and completion of required entry assessments – CATS, Lucid and GL Assessment E-Safety and Respectful use of Online resources and communities.	First Steps in Small Basic – Text-based programming Sound manipulation in Audacity.	Programming with Kodu Health Technology using Microbits
Year 8	Cyber Crime and Security Understanding Computers	First Steps in Small Basic Introduction to Python programming	Raspberry Pi Pathways – Python App Development

NOTE: The above is a general outline of the KS3 Computing Curriculum, subject to change.

Click here for information on how KS3 Computing is assessed [Link to KS3 Assessment information].

Key Stage 4 Information

Option GCSE Computer Science

GCSE Computer Science switched to a reviewed specification. Students in Year 9 and 10 will follow the OCR GCSE Computer Science J277 specification. The new spec will consist of 2 units of study.
Unit 1 Computing Systems (examined 50%) that will introduce system architecture, memory, storage, networking, system security and computer ethics. Unit 2 Computational Thinking (examined 50%) will explore their understanding of computational thinking, algorithm and will support the development of their programming skills. Programming in the exam has been introduced in the revised specification. Students will be taught how to develop algorithms to a problem. They will also have to develop their skills in planning, testing and programming through written mini programs in the terminal exams at the end of Year 11.  

Links to the specifications we are following are included after the overview chart below.

Option GCSE Computer Science Overview

	Term 1 (Autumn)	Term 2 (Spring)	Term 3 (Summer)
Year 9	Intro to python programming: Computational thinking Variables, iteration, selection Operators and logic Data structures File handing	Unit 1: Computer architecture Memory Storage Networking	Unit 1: Computer security System software Computer Ethics Microbit project
Year 10	Unit 2: Algorithms (sort and search) Robust programs Computational logic	Unit 2 & python recap: Translators and IDE’s Data representation Programming recap and advanced python	Programming techniques: A programming project / technique that will allow students to develop their python knowledge further.
Year 11	Python Programming Workbooks Unit 1: Computer architecture Memory Storage Networking Computer security System software Computer Ethics/Laws	Unit 2: Algorithms (sort and search) Programming techniques Robust programs Computational logic Translators and IDE’s Data representation	Examination prep for Unit 1 and Unit 2

Exam board and qualification obtained

OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277) – New Specification (first teach September 2020)

Useful Link:
https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j277-from-2020/
 

Other information

Code Club – During Eggar’s Experience club nights. Programming fun for everyone!

Lego Mindstorms – Thanks to the generosity of the PTA and other kind donations, the Eggar’s Computing department will be running a robotics club in 2019/20 during Eggar’s Experience.

Digital Leaders – A student led group which aims to develop the use of technology across the school. Students must apply, interview and be selected to join this group. Members of the digital leaders are highly regarded across the school; tasked with supporting and leading digital innovation in a variety of ways.