Inspiring students to use computational thinking and creativity to change the world.
This department is part of the Maths Faculty.
The aim of the Computer Science and Computing Department is to enable every student to:
- Use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.
- Understand and solve problems by breaking them down, questioning what is going on and increasing efficiency. A highly useful skill for all areas of life!
- Become digitally literate and be more than just passive users of ICT.
- Take an active interest in the implications of ICT in society.
At Key stage 3 students receive two lessons a fortnight and during this time we aim to build a strong foundation in computer science and build knowledge on some important ICT topics:
- Binary
- Boolean logic
- Computational thinking
- Computer hardware and software
- Cyber security and cryptography
- E-Safety
- Networks
- Programming and algorithms
- Searching and sorting algorithms
- Spreadsheets and modelling
- Basics of Desktop publishing and word processing
We also offer an after school Lego Mindstorms club please check the latest enrichment leaflet to see what evenings these are being offered on.
KS3 Curriculum Information
What is the difference between ICT & Computing?
ICT is about the use of computers and their applications. Computing is about their design and implementation. ICT is the equivalent of teaching how to drive a car, and how to navigate it. Once basic skills have been learned (how to use the clutch), the emphasis is on appropriate choice of destination, how to drive safely, how to develop a good route to the destination, how to choose which car is the right vehicle. Everyone should be able to drive, and similarly every student should possess basic ICT skills, and some knowledge of how to use them.
Computing is the equivalent of teaching automotive engineering: how the clutch works, how to design new cars, and how to maintain existing ones. Computing is more than just programming, which in the car analogy would be the equivalent of metalwork.
Setting arrangements & Teaching
ICT & Computing sets follow the technology groupings. Each group is considered a mixed ability group. Each year group has 2 lessons a fortnight at KS3.
Homework
Students will receive homework on a fortnightly basis. This will be a mix of activities that will support the learning that is happening in the classroom.
Progression to KS4
Our KS3 SoW focuses on making sure students are GCSE ready by the end of Year 9 should they decide to study GCSE Computing.
We offer 1 route at KS4 that students can opt to follow, which is a Computing GCSE (currently this consists of 2 pieces of controlled assessment and a final exam).
