Computing

Intent

“Whether you want to uncover the secrets of the universe, or you want to pursue a career in the 21^st Century, basic computer programming is and essential skill to learn. “ Stephen Hawking Theoretical Physicist, Cosmologist and Author.

"Computer Science is the subject which prepares our students for the future.”

We passionately believe that all students at Chilton Trinity School are entitled to a creative, dynamic and accessible curriculum which prepares them for active and creative participation and in the modern digital workplace and to safely interact in the globally connected online society.

Our Curriculum aims to develop digitally literate young people with the communication skills for effective participation and employment in 21^st century business. We aim to cultivate an enquiring mind and a love of learning through analytical and creative problem solving which we call “Computational thinking”.

Students learn how software products and systems are designed, made, implemented, enhanced maintained and kept secure. To develop skills and knowledge in digital technologies and computer science, to prepare them for a future in a world where the use of this technology is fully embodied. They also develop business critical skills in problem-solving, analysis, innovation and team-work, because we want students able to play a full part, with skills, attributes and qualities for their studies, working life and beyond.

Computing and Digital Technology students develop the design and software development skills, they learn about electronic principles, computing and computer sciences including software engineering, robotics, CAD & CAM technology.

Computing and technology provides students the opportunity to apply what they learn in maths and science - directly preparing them for a career in software development, Computing, digital industry and engineering.

We believe that computational thinking is vital in helping children to solve problems, design systems, and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence. We believe it is a skill that empowers, and one that all pupils should be aware of and develop competence in.

Students who can think computationally are better able to conceptualise, understand and use computer-based technology, and so are better prepared for today’s world and future.

Our Vision

Children will become digitally literate. They will be able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology, at a level suitable for future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Children will become independent and skilful users of digital technology and will be outward looking and forward thinking in this technological age.

Pupils will be equipped to use information technology and to create digital products, straight forward programs, systems and a range of content.

We aim to ensure that children are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

Children will be able to evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.

Children will understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.

We aim to ensure that teachers develop confidence and competence to use digital technology in the effective teaching of their subject.

To equip all learners with the experiences and skills of computing that they will use in a rapidly changing technological world and to engage children through enriched multi-media learning experiences.

Our Students will:

become creative, logical, critical thinkers, who reason systematically and work collaboratively.

Be able to analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.

Appreciate the relevance of digital literacy in our society and that they see it as an essential tool for learning, communication, finding information and for controlling and understanding their environment.

The curriculum covers 3 key areas:

Computer Literacy.

This topic ensures that students understand how to use information technology (IT) in an appropriate way. It ensures that students can use IT safely and to be able to navigate the world of computers. Using information they retrieve from the internet, and other sources, in a safe and legal way; understanding the consequences of their actions. So that they can enter the adult world with high levels of Ambition, Engagement and Resilience in life.

Computer Science & Digital Information Technology.

This subject covers the way computers function. It gives the students a knowledge an understanding of how a computer functions. For example, how the central processor carries out instructions, how all data, documents, images are saved using just ones and zeros.

The third and most creative element of the subject is ‘Computational Thinking’.

This topic provides the skills to define, analyse, design, develop and evaluate a solution to a problem. We learn how to program, not just the language, but the techniques required in order to develop robust programs which are both logically and syntactically correct. To achieve these things, we use professional tools and the languages of the commercial world.

KS3: Our core purpose at KS3 is to deliver an engaging and challenging curriculum through outstanding teaching and learning.

Aimed at developing increasingly confident and independent users who understand how to participate safely online and use the three employability applications PowerPoint, Word and Excel.

Students then progress to computational and creative challenges that expose them to wider discipline of computing and employment sectors.

Students have a wide range of opportunities to develop their ICT skills using Microsoft Office programs and a variety of Animation and Graphics applications.

Web development also features and a simple understand of HTML and CSS is also developed. Students begin by learning to manipulate code in programs like Scratch, Kodu and Code Combat where they are introduced to computing concepts like “iteration” and continue to develop a basic understanding of the Python programming language.

This is a foundation that can be carried forward into BTEC/GCSE and beyond.

Students are given the opportunity to develop their computer coding and digital technology skills, allowing them to take their studies onto KS4 and Further and Higher education if they desire and ultimately secure a career within a large range of industries.

Digital Technology is now present in every aspect of our lives. Here at Chilton Trinity we believe that the ability to participate effectively in this digital global economy and online society is of the utmost importance. Employers in all sectors of industry and commerce are increasingly demanding skilled IT users at every level in the workplace. When you apply for your first job or college place, ICT will be a key qualification that will set you out as a desirable candidate; having these practical skills and expertise to use them effectively is now an essential requirement for many employers. Our curriculum builds IT USER skills for life beyond school, excites interest in this broad and rapidly developing sector and develops a critical and enquiring mind and fosters a love of learning new technologies.

Computing or Computer science as it’s also known is wide-ranging subject, to reflect this our curriculum provides students with a broad experience ranging from programming and engineering software systems, to the design and evaluation of human-computer user interfaces, algorithms, computer systems and use of big data systems to analyse patterns in statistical data.

At the core of our Computing curriculum lies the notion of computational thinking, which is a mode of thought that goes beyond software and hardware and provides us with a structure to solve problems with reasoning. Computational thinking helps students develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence.

We enable students to develop an understanding of and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of the subject.

Key Stage 3

Our KS3 Computing & IT Curriculum has the following key aims:

Give students relevant IT skills that they can apply across the curriculum
Enable students to use technology safely and responsibly
Develop relevant Computing & IT skills in preparation for KS4 Computer Science and IT courses.
Develop an interest in the subject of IT and Computing

All students study ICT for a minimum of one hour per week in KS3 in a dedicated ICT suite. In addition all departments contribute to the enhancement of students’ ICT experience in a wide variety of ways.

All students learn to:

understand how changes in technology affect safety, including new ways to protect their online privacy and identity, and how to report a range of concerns
develop their capability, creativity and knowledge in computer science, digital media and information technology
develop and apply their analytic, problem-solving, design, and computational thinking skills

Year 7

Unit 1 – Get SMART using web apps

Unit 2 – What is Computing?

Unit 3 – Using Media, Audio and DTP tools

Unit 4 – Numerical modelling

Unit 5 – Introduction to Robotics and Algorithms

Unit 6 – Sequencing, Coding and Computer Games

Year 8

Unit 1 – Online safety and Cyber Security

Unit 2 – HTML Language of the Web

Unit 3 – App lab Software Development

Unit 4 – Investigating computer networks

Unit 5 – Multimedia E-Book production

Unit 6 - Review, Refine and Evaluate (System Life Cycle)

Year 9

Unit 1 – Formulae and Functions- Excel

Unit 2 – Vector graphics – Logo

Unit 3 – Graphs and Charts – Presenting information

Unit 4 – Big Data Dashboard – Analysis and Data mining

Unit 5 – Go with the Flow – Abstraction diagrams

Unit 6 – User Interface – Build a prototype app (Info Kiosk)

Key Stage 4

BTEC Digital Information Technologies (DIT)

On the BTEC Tech DIT course students will learn a strong mix of creative design and technical knowledge.

Students will investigate and apply User Interface design elements and will use them within a realistic work scenario. This could be in applications such as Website Design, Mobile App development or Data Analysis tools. Students will also study Cloud storage and cyber security aspects that can be related to social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

This course is ideal for learners who want to progress to a digital Apprenticeship or BTEC Level 3 Nationals and for learners who want a career in IT. In this digital world, qualifications in IT and Computer Science are becoming essential.

There is clear progression onto Level 3 study for students who want to further digital information technology or computer science.

Components of study

Component 1: Exploring User Interface Design Principles and Project Planning Techniques

Component 2: Collecting, Presenting and Interpreting Data

Component 3: Effective Digital Working Practices

Key Stage 4 Assessment

The qualification has three components. In Components 1 and 2 students carry out tasks or assignments that the teacher will mark.

Students will be awarded a grade Level 1 Pass to Level 2 Distinction based on the combined total of each component.

Component 1 is assessed internally in the form of coursework assignments (30% of the entire course)
Component 2 is assessed internally in the form of coursework assignments (30% of the entire course)
Component 3 is assessed externally by a 1 hour 30 minute written exam (40% of the entire course)

Grading: Students are expected to achieve this BTEC at Level 2 and are awarded grades equivalent in value to GCSE grades 9-4.

Students who achieve a BTEC Level 1 will be awarded the equivalent to GCSE grade 3-2.

Component 3 is externally assessed by Pearson and assesses the knowledge and skills you have developed across all three components. The external assessment will test ability to recall the knowledge gained and allows students to demonstrate that they can apply knowledge in realistic scenarios and situations.

In this component, learners will discover about how organisations can use technology safely and about the cyber security issues when working in a digital organisation. The knowledge and skills you develop in this unit will give you a basis for further study in a range of subject areas, including computing, IT, engineering, creative and scientific, or you may go on to an apprenticeship or entry-level employment where your understanding of technology will be relevant.

Extra Curricular

A range of competitions and activities run throughout the year including:

Every student has access to MsTeams where they can find details of extracurricular tasks to complete.

There are Idea.org.uk badges available for the Bronze, Silver and Gold challenges.

We encourage students to actively use technology and to practise their skills beyond the classroom…

Useful Links

Revision Notes www.revision-notes.co.uk

BBC Bitesize ICT www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/

Teach ICT www.teach-ict.com

Computer Lessons & Tutorials www.jegsworks.com/

Computer Science Tutorial videos student.craigndave.org/

Jobs directly related to Computer Science:

Jobs where Computer Science would be useful include:

Support Available

Students benefit from a wide range of support via MsTeams classrooms, other sources include:

MSStream Video tutorials and how to videos

Simon Bath	Head of Computing/ICT and Business
Colin Brooks	Teacher of Computing