Computer Science

 

Curriculum Intent

Computer Science is the study of how computers and computer systems work and how they are constructed and programmed. From the design of computers to programming, Computer Science has broadened applications in areas as diverse as Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and the Arts.

It is the study of principles and practices that underpin an understanding and modelling of computation and their application in the development of computer systems. At its heart lies the notion of computational thinking: a mode of thought that goes well beyond software and hardware and provides a framework within which to reason about systems and problems.

As a discipline, Computer Science is deeply concerned with how computers and computer systems work and how they are designed and programmed. Students are studying computing to gain insight into computational systems of all kinds. CS aids in the solving of problems, designing of systems and understanding the power and limits of human and machine intelligence. It is a skill that empowers, all students should be aware of and have competence. Computing skills are a significant factor in enabling pupils to be responsible, confident, competent, creative, and independent learners.

We intend that pupils at Bishop Stopford’s School:

  • Have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this.
  • Will be exposed to a diverse curriculum which will effectively prepare them with the knowledge, skills, and technical vocabulary to fully embrace a future of rapidly advancing computer technology.
  • Are enabled to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for students to use information in a discriminating and effective way.
  • Have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this because computing skills are a significant factor in enabling students to be confident, creative, and independent learners. We intend that students

About the Department

Vision - The department's vision is to empower learners to be digitally literate and teach and equip them with the knowledge, skills and understanding of the principles of problem-solving that will prepare them to be functional in their communities and the world of work. The core mission of the CS department is to ensure that all students:

  • Can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms, and data representation
  • Can analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs to solve such problems
  • Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems and are responsible, competent, confident, and creative users of information and communication technology

 Focus - The curriculum focuses on developing resilient learners with practical problem-solving skills. The curriculum is designed to cover the three main areas of Digital Literacy, Computer Science, and Information Technology. Students will be introduced to the IT skills they need to support other subjects across the curriculum and be introduced to programming, algorithms, some more complex elements of software packages and an understanding of how it works.

Intention - We intend to enable students to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for students to use information in a discriminating and effective way. Computing skills are a significant factor in enabling students to be confident, creative, and independent learners. We intend that students have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this.

Aims: 

The Computer Science Department aims to:

  • Enable all learners to become digital citizens – individuals who can employ the wide gamut of digital resources available to them in modern society. This involves the ability to realise the value of evolving and fast-changing technologies associated with the digital age. Alongside teaching the skills necessary to utilise these tools, we aim to enhance the knowledge and awareness of our pupils so that they can judge the merits of data and information, developing an awareness of value and accuracy regarding what they find.
  • Provide a high-quality computing education that equips learners to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and contribute to the rapidly changing world.
  • Enable learners to develop an understanding and application of computer science's fundamental principles and concepts by having the opportunity to write programs and produce professional digital products to evaluate and analytically solve problems.
  • Ensure learners understand the digital age we are in and be responsible, competent, confident, and creative users of information and communication technology.

Our Aspirations - It is intended that when learners leave in Year 11, they will have gained vital knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Learners will have a greater understanding of ICT and basic computational thinking skills. Whether they study the subject further or not, they are knowledgeable, competent, and confident technology users using it safely and respectfully.

Student Learning Journey

Our Computer Science curriculum is both fun and stretching, covering aspects of computer science, digital literacy, and creativity. The areas of study offer students broad experiences within the subject area. Throughout Key Stage 3, students will have experienced and studied many different areas of Computer Science to give them a taste of what the subject entails.

Students study Computer Science for 1 hour a week in Years 7, 8 and 9.

The Computer Science curriculum at Key Stage 3 has been designed to prepare students for Stage 4 and beyond. This is done by developing their understanding of Computer Science and increasing their competency in literacy and numeracy.

In Key Stage 3, in line with the National Curriculum, students will learners are supported to design, use, and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems. They will learn text-based programming languages: Python and Scratch. Learners will understand how computers work by looking at the hardware that makes up computer systems. They will begin to understand how various types of instructions are stored and executed in computer systems and how they can be used to represent images, music, and text. Students will undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications to achieve challenging goals. This includes collecting and analysing data and meeting the needs of known users. They will understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly, and securely: protecting their online identity and privacy, recognising inappropriate content, contact and conduct, and knowing how to report concerns. The objective of the curriculum delivered at Key Stage 3 is to prepare for that offered at Key Stage 4. The foundations and fundamentals of the critical concepts of the subject are established during Key Stage 3.

Key Stage 3 Computer Science

In Year 7, students will focus on covering core knowledge that will ensure they prepare for computer science in ks4. They will be using basic programming techniques as well as building mini-projects to gain the necessary knowledge

  • E-Safety
  • Computing Systems
  • Networks – An introduction
  • Programming with Scratch – Block-based programming and problem-solving
  • Control Systems with Flowol – gaining knowledge and skills - hands-on practical experience in programming
  • Programming with Scratch – Developing an understanding of crucial programming paradigms and
  • Understanding Computers.

In Year 8, students will build on

  • Networks – HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for web development
  • Data Representation
  • Data Modelling and the use of Spreadsheets
  • Programming to create Apps – Creating mobile apps using AppLab.
  • Programming in Python – Text-based programming skills
  • Database development and
  • Introduced to Python Programming - Programming Concepts; Sequence and selection; Iteration; Arrays; Procedures and functions; Records and files

By Year 9, students will:

  • Be able to program in Python.
  • Study Data Representation
  • Introduced to Cyber Security concepts
  • Hardware and Software - Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems and how they communicate with one another and with other systems.

KS4 and KS5 Curriculum

The department purposely offers Computer Science at KS4 and CTec. ICT at KS5 so that the needs and interests of all students can be accommodated. Computer Science is a discipline that seeks to understand and explore the world around us, both natural and artificial, in computational terms. Information Technology deals with the purposeful application of computer systems to solve real-world problems, including identifying business needs, the specification and installing hardware and software, and evaluating usability. It is the productive, creative, and explorative use of technology. Computer Science contributes to the development of pupil cultural capital through providing: E-safety lesson discussions and lessons focusing on legal, ethical, social, and environmental issues.

At KS4, students will pursue the OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science, comprising two components: Computer Systems and Computational thinking, algorithms, and programming. The specification is engaging and practical, encouraging creativity and problem-solving. It encourages students to develop their understanding and application of the core concepts in computer science. It further allows students to analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing, and evaluating programs.

The OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science will encourage students to:

  • 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 in 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 one another and with other systems
  • Understand the impacts of digital technology on the individual and on wider society
  • Apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science.

At KS5, students will pursue the Cambridge technical level 3 in the IT programme. The Cambridge Technicals in IT allows students to gain an insight into IT and cybersecurity. A wide range of units and pathways provide students with practical and project-based opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in infrastructure, application development and data analysis.

How is Computer Science Taught?

Lessons start with a retrieval activity designed to recall prior learning, embedded memory of critical concepts, and contextualise the new learning that is about to take place. Modelling and scaffolding give students insight into the standard of work and expectations. Application of concepts and knowledge to real-life scenarios encourages students to contextualise learning. The learning within the lesson is progressive, enabling students to develop new knowledge and apply it. Constructive formative and summative feedback informs what is taught and what students need to do next.

Home Learning

Students will be given homework that they can access from google classroom from the revision guides and E-revision (Online revision and assessment site). Students will be given research tasks and further development of topics they have covered in lessons. There will be elements of flip learning, where students are asked to research a topic and then complete past exam questions based on the topic. Students will have course books and content for every unit. This is to help them complete both classwork and homework. These will be in both printed and digital formats. These will be marked to feedback progress. Home learning tasks will help consolidate knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts learnt and develop programming skills acquired.