KS3 Computing
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Our Vision
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The vision for the department is to provide a balanced and informed curriculum across all key stages in the school. The aim is for the students to be active and engaged users and creators in the emerging digital economy. The curriculum is designed to allow students to have access to both computer Science and Information Technology and make informed choices on how they pursue the subjects as they continue their learning journey through the school. |
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Subject Summary |
A high-quality computing education equips students to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. Information Technology ensures that students 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. |
Please click the hyperlinks to access the knowledge organisers
Key stage 3 (Y7-Y9)
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
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Term 1 |
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Digital Literacy & Business Tools Students apply digital tools including spreadsheets, databases and presentation software in a real-world business context. They develop professional document skills, explore what makes a successful business, and create a structured business plan presentation. |
Graphic Design & Advanced Databases Students study the principles of digital graphic design: purpose, target audience, colour theory and typography, examining how visuals communicate messages. They also extend their database skills, designing and querying multi-table relational databases.
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Assessment |
End of unit test |
End of unit test |
Unit project |
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Term 2: |
Students investigate online risks, social media safety, cyberbullying and peer pressure, learning how to stay safe and support others online. They then apply creative digital skills to produce a school magazine article and design a digital anti-cyberbullying poster campaign. |
Python Programming & Data Representation Students learn Python programming, working with variables, inputs/outputs, loops, selection and string handling to build increasingly complex programs. They also explore how computers represent and store data, including binary, images and sound. |
Computer Science: Algorithms, Logic & Programming Students trace the history of computing and the internet, study binary, logic gates and Boolean logic, and explore how algorithms are designed and traced. They then apply and extend their Python programming skills, covering functions, lists, file handling and game/app development.
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Assessment |
End of unit test |
Unit project |
End of unit test |
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Term 3: |
Computer Science: Scratch & Flowol Students are introduced to programming through Scratch, learning about sprites, sequences, movement, iteration and selection. They then use Flowol to explore how computers are used to control real-world systems and devices. |
Online Safety, HTML & Comic Creation Students deepen their understanding of online well-being, social media data use and online relationships. They learn to hand-code HTML web pages and use digital tools to create their own comic strip, combining creative storytelling with technical skills. |
Students explore the world of entrepreneurship and business: different ownership structures (sole trader, partnership, Ltd, franchise), personal finance and budgeting, customer service, competition, the marketing mix (4Ps) and brand identity. They develop and pitch their own enterprise idea. |
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| Assessment | End of unit test | End of unit test | End of unit test |
Useful websites
http://www.teach-ict.com/
http://www.knowitallninja.com/
Extra-curricular / enrichment
- Computing Club
- Homework Club