Welcome to the Computing Department
2021 - 2022

      

 

Mr Neil Brand
Curriculum Leader

The Team:

Mr Chris Legg         Classroom Teacher & Assistant Head Teacher
 

Introduction to the Department

Welcome to the Computing 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

Year Term 1 (Autumn) Term 2 (Spring) Term 3 (Summer) 7 Logging into systems Curious computer systems Reflective eSafety 1 Perseverance with visual programming Assessment Progress exam 1 Programming Reflective eSafety 2 Creative text programming Curious hardware Creative pixel art Assessment Progress exam 2 Programming, hardware and data Resourceful Microbits Reflective eSafety 3 Perseverance with algorithms Creative Kodu Resourceful visual programming Assessment Progress exam 3 Microbit, algorithms and programming 8 Logging into system recap Perseverance with text programming Reflective eSafety 4 Curious about networks Creative web development Assessment Project style homework Programming, networking and web development Perseverance with data and logic Resourceful visual programming 2   Assessment Progress exam 4 Data, logic and programming Resourceful Microbits 2 Resourceful use of Computing Assessment Progress exam 5 Programming NOTE: The above is a general outline of the KS3 Computing Curriculum, subject to change. KS3 Assessment information can be found by clicking on the attachment at the bottom of this page.   Key Stage 3 Curriculum by Year Group: Year 7 Curriculum

Key Stage 4 Information

Option GCSE Computer Science

Currently in KS4 we have two specification running concurrently. Year 11 students are following OCR J267 and will be working towards completing 3 units of work. Unit 1 (examined 50%) looks into computer system architecture, memory, storage, networking, system security, software and computer ethics. Unit 2 (examined 50%) is focussed on developing students computational thinking, algorithm development and programming skills. Students learn a range of programming techniques such as; iteration, selection, sequencing, working with data and file management etc. Unit 3 (non-examined assessment) consists of an extended programming project, where students apply their programming and problem-solving skills to produce a computer system.

From September 2020, 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.  

Option GCSE Computer Science Overview:

Year	Term 1 (Autumn)	Term 2 (Spring)	Term 3 (Summer)
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 Lego Mindstorms programming
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
11	NEA Completion (Estimated Completion: November 2020) 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 (J267) – Current Year 11 Specification
Useful Link:  https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j276-from-2016/

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 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.