Computer Science
Curriculum
Students study Computer Science in Year 7 & 8. Within Year 9 (the foundation curriculum year), students either continue to study Computer Science, follow the Creative iMedia curriculum, or follow the Vocational Enterprise curriculum.
KS3 - year 7, 8, & 9
Students are able to use two or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems, to make appropriate use of data structures and to understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems and how they communicate with one another and with other systems.
Students understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct, and know how to report concerns.
Modules studied are:
- UCSER (using computers safely, effectively, and responsibly)
- Understanding computers
- Computational thinking
- MicroBit
- Multimedia (complimentary iMedia content)
- Business spreadsheets (complimentary Enterprise content)
- Cyber-security
- Flowol
- Python
- Digital movies (complimentary iMedia content)
- Data analysis (complimentary Enterprise content)
KS4 - year 10 & 11
Students cover the content required for Component 1: Principles of Computer Science, followed by Component 2: Application of Computational Thinking.
The following modules are studied in Component 1:
- understanding of what algorithms are,
- understanding of binary representation,
- components of computer systems,
- understanding of computer networks
- awareness of emerging trends.
The following modules are studied in Component 2:
- ability to interpret, amend and create algorithms,
- understanding how to develop program code and constructs,
- binary representation,
- ability to construct truth tables,
- produce logic statements
- read and interpret pseudocode.