Head of Department: Mr S Aswat
Email: aswats@hanson.org.uk
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
We believe that our students should have the opportunity to follow a Computing / Computer Science/ Creative IMedia curriculum that prepares them for life in modern Britain and the wider world.
Good quality computing skills enable students to engage positively within the modern workplace, while Computer Science skills enables students to take an active part in the design, development, and creation of new technologies to be used in the world in which they live.
The core of the subject is understanding digital technology and how it can be developed and utilised. We draw and extend understanding from a range of other subjects outside of IT and Computing including DT, Graphics, Maths, Science and PHSE and embed literacy and numeracy skills through software use and development, problem solving and evaluation skills.
We provide a broad range of skills and experiences at KS3 which are then further developed as students enter KS4.
At KS4 students all students are given the opportunity to study Creative IMedia; giving them a wide range of IT skills that are used in the modern world including Graphics Design, Media Production and Website Development.
Computer Science and IT will give our students the opportunity to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding and application of the key concepts and principles of Computer Science/IT
- Understand and fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science
- Be able to apply key algorithms and data representation and mathematical skills through practical and theoretical work.
- Understand the key components that make up digital systems and how they communicate.
- Understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual, wider society, the ethical change s and cultural impacts as well as the positive and negative impacts digital technology has had on the environment.
- To equip learners with a range of creative media skills and provide opportunities to develop, in context, desirable, transferable skills in areas such as research, planning and evaluation.
Analyse problems in computational terms:
To make reasoned judgements
To design, program, evaluate and refine solutions.
- Plan and develop software using the software design life cycle.
- Use a range of software design techniques such as flowcharts, pseudocode, and visualisation diagrams.
- Develop key problem-solving skills of Abstraction, Decomposition and Algorithmic thinking.
- Develop key skills and practical experience in script-based programming languages and be able to design, write and debug programs to solve non simplistic problems.
- To be able to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically, and critically when solving problems.
- Be able to make informed decisions on appropriate and efficient coding techniques such as sequence, selection, iteration, and the use of functions.
- To be able to design, Program, evaluate and refine solutions to problems.
Intent
Year 7
The year 7 curriculum is designed to cover the following areas:
- Computer Use and Online Safety
- Digital Media
- Computer Science
- IT
Year 7 Curriculum Intent
- Ensure students are safe users of computers in terms of online and e-safety and in their general use of IT.
- Introduce file management skills that they can use for all subjects.
- Introduce key numeracy topics.
- Introduce problem solving skills using flow charts.
- Introduce/extend block programming skills.
- Introduce the concept of physical computing.
- Introduce the basic constructs of script-based programming.
Year 8
The year 8 curriculum is designed to cover the following areas:
- Computer Science
- IT
- Creative IMedia
Year 8 Curriculum Intent
- Develop their appreciation of Media and Computing and how ideas inspired the technologies of today.
- Develop students’ awareness of the impact of Media & IT on society (good and bad)
- Further develop and extend key computing topics.
- Develop problem solving skills and understanding of key algorithms.
- Develop a deeper understanding of script-based programming languages and be able to use these to solve problems.
- Introduce and basic HTML web development skills.
- Develop basic and extended graphic design skills.
Year 9
The year 9 curriculum is designed to cover the following areas:
- Computer Science
- IT
- Creative IMedia
Year 9 Curriculum Intent
- To be safe and confident users of IT and Computing resources
- Develop a clear understanding of the difference between Computer Science and IMedia in preparation for options.
- Extend key computing topics.
- Develop problem solving skills and understanding of key algorithms.
- Develop a deeper understanding of script-based programming languages and be able to use these to solve exam styled problems.
- Develop a deeper understanding of product development in preparation for Creative IMedia.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Our intent is to promote computational thinking and digital creativity. We want our students to develop the foundations to enable them to be discerning, life-long learners in a fast-moving landscape. Our curriculum is designed to allow students to provide a balanced and informed curriculum across all key stages giving students access to Computing, ICT and Digital Literacy.
We aim for our students to develop the following skills:
- understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation.
- analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing, and debugging programs.
- think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically, and critically.
- understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with other systems.
- develop a deep understanding of computational thinking and how to apply it through a chosen programming language.
- develop valuable thinking and programming skills that are extremely attractive in the modern workplace.
- understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society.
- develop, in context, desirable, transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts.
- provide learners with essential knowledge and tools to improve their learning in other subjects with the aims of enhancing their employability when they leave education, contributing to their personal development and future economic well-being.
What is computer science?
Engaging and practical, computer science is a subject which encourages students to solve problems and unleash their creativity. In the course of this study, students will also develop an understanding of the core concepts of computer science. The course comprises two main strands and, throughout the entirety of the course, students will be given the opportunity to undertake a number of programming challenges using a variety of high-level programming languages.
How does the course break down?
The first strand introduces students to the central processing unit, computer memory and storage, data representation, networks, system security and system software. It also looks at the ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns associated with computer science. The second is where students develop skills and understanding in computational thinking: algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic and translators.
How is the course assessed and what does it lead to?
Students sit two exams in the summer of Year 11 and assess the students understanding of the two strands studied throughout the course and the programming techniques they have learned. Each exam is worth 50% of their final grade. A GCSE in Computer Science leads to further study at A-Level and university and ultimately a career in software development, across a number of different sectors, cybersecurity, database administration, games design/development, systems analysis and more!
What is Creative iMedia?
Creative iMedia is a vocational course which equips students with a wide range of knowledge and skills needed to work in the creative digital media sector. They start at the pre-production phase and develop their skills through a number of practical assignments as they create a number of different multimedia products.
How does the course break down?
There are two mandatory parts to the course; the first introduces students to a range of Creative IMedia in the media industry techniques used in the creative and digital media. The second unit sees students explore where and why digital graphics and visual identity are used and the techniques that are involved in their creation. Finally, one further unit are selected exploring different elements of creative digital media.
How is the course assessed and what does it lead to?
Students complete two pieces of coursework throughout the two-year course, weighing 60% of their final grade. There is one written exam worth the remaining 40% of their grade. The course could lead to a level 3 qualification at college and then onto a career in graphic design, marketing and beyond in the digital media sector.
Link to Exam Specifications
Computer Science: GCSE (9-1) Computer Science J277 Specification (ocr.org.uk)
Revision Websites: