Computing
At King James, we aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever changing digital world. Knowledge and understanding of ICT is of increasing importance for children’s future both at home and for employment.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding technology during their seven years with us at King James. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during KS3 to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed. Our intention is that Computing also supports student’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage students and enrich their experiences in school. The whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.
To view a copy of the Computing Learning Journey from KS2-4 click here.
To ensure a broad range of skills and understanding, Computing is taught across three main strands: digital literacy, computer science and information technology. As part of information technology, children learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through ICT for example writing and presenting as well as exploring art and design using multimedia. Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems for example understanding safe use of the internet, networks and email. In computer science we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. Learning the language of code is important as students who develop their coding skills will be able to grasp the magic behind the computers. This will help them to take their studies onto their next steps in education and will help prepare them to become 21st century citizens.
At King James, we give children access to a wide range of good quality resources and provide cross curricular opportunities for children to apply their Computing knowledge and skills. Online safety and use of the Internet and new technologies have become an integral part of our lives and have opened many positive opportunities. However, it is important that students are taught how to work safely online so that it will be second nature to carry out all the necessary steps for their own safety as well as those around them. Our pupils embark on their GCSE journey in year 10 after choosing their options in Year 9. The Computing Learning Journey for KS4 can be found here.
GCSE Computer Science builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills established during KS3 There is a heavy focus on programming skills and students are given the opportunity to experiment with a variety of languages and activities. Students revisit theory already covered in the form of written and multiple-choice topic assessments. More theory units are introduced not only to allow for a solid basis of understanding, but also to engage learners and get them thinking about real world application.
Theory units follow the OCR Computer Science GCSE specification (see here):
Component 1: Computer Systems:
• Systems architecture
• Memory and storage
• Computer networks, connections and protocols
• Network security
• System software
• Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology
Component 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming:
• Algorithms
• Programming fundamentals
• Producing robust programs
• Boolean logic
• Programming languages and Integrated
• Development Environments
Assessment in Computing
Pupils are assessed termly throughout KS3 and an overview of each topic can be viewed here. The KS4 examplar assessment materials can be found at the link above.