Overview

Computing is concerned with how computers and computer systems work, how they are designed and programmed, how to apply computational thinking, and how to make best use of information technology. It aims to give pupils a broad education that encourages creativity and equips them with the knowledge and skills to understand and change the world.

At St Peters and across NPCAT we want pupils to be masters of technology, not slaves to it. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in our pupils’ lives both professionally and personally. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our pupils to be creators, not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. 

Computer science is the scientific and practical study of computation: what can be computed, how to compute it, and how computation may be applied to the solution of problems. Information technology is concerned with how computers and telecommunications equipment work, and how they may be applied to the storage, retrieval, transmission and manipulation of data. Digital literacy is the ability to effectively, responsibly, safely and critically navigate, evaluate and create digital artefacts using a range of digital technologies. The creation of digital artefacts will be integral to much of the learning of computing. Digital artefacts can take many forms, including digital images, computer programs, spreadsheets and 3D animations.

Intent

We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice when using technology and as a school we utilise technology, including social media, to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see regarding technology and social media, is through a comprehensive education. Technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways and also provide accessibility opportunities for our pupils. 

Each year of study within computing explores the core principles of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. Each component is essential in preparing pupils to thrive in an increasingly digital world. It encourages pupils to use technological vocabulary confidently and fluently. The curriculum at KS3 is designed to cover the skills required for pupils to be successful in their future careers and with the increasing incorporation of technology in our everyday lives, it explores how computing is linked to a range of careers and embeds an aspirational culture within the classroom. The curriculum is designed to be engaging and inspiring and allow pupils to want to continue studying in the field of computing. Topics are taught in termly blocks and clear links are shown between each topic and future and past learning, including building on what they studied at KS2.

At KS4 the curriculum is designed to allow pupils to apply their knowledge to real world scenarios and gain experience of solving problems within the digital industry. Pupils investigate how technology can affect the world around us and they gain confidence in using and manipulating IT systems.

Implementation of KS3

The content of the course each year becomes more complex and requires more skills and techniques. The pupils are introduced to the basics of computing within year 7 and their knowledge is then expanded and developed upon within years 8 and 9. These units are broken down on the core knowledge document below.


Implementation of KS4

Creative iMedia consists of three units.

R093: Creative iMedia in the media industry is assessed by a 1 hour 30 minutes external exam. This element is worth 40% of the final grade.

R094: Visual identity and digital graphics is a coursework unit and is worth 25% of the final grade.

R097: Interactive digital media is a coursework unit and is worth 35% of the final grade.


Impact

The Computing curriculum at St Peters will make a profound, positive impact to the outcomes of all pupils. The impact will be pupils who show a good understanding of computing across a range of the core principles outlined above. They will show confidence in being able to speak, demonstrate and do practical work. Pupils will have a broader vocabulary with which to describe and evaluate their own work and that of peers.

Our computing curriculum ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

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

In addition we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

  • Attainment and Achievement outcomes
  • Observing lessons and scrutinising planning
  • Standards of learning in books
  • Student voice
  • Destination data
  • Attendance data
  • Behaviour data