computer science
The department offer GCSE and A Level Computer Science which builds on the work students complete in the lower school. We are keen to harness the curiosity many young people have for technology and teach them how it actually works. This is done via coding and studying machine architecture. We aim to enhance students' ambition to think logically and error check their code.
Curriculum Map Computer Science
Our Curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9
Students in Year 7 learn how to use basic packages such as word, PowerPoint and excel and basic online safety within our PSHE curriculum.
Students in Year 9 complete a Micro:Bit project where they program the small portable device provided by the BBC using python. This encourages students to be ambitious in designing their own and collaborative projects and developing investigation and curiosity into why code may or not work.
Students learn how to develop and use Excel formulae to solve problems. We look at what is AI and let students self-reflect on its uses. They develop more advanced programming design and writing skills using code studio, particularly iteration, selection, and using functions and procedures, moving on to coding in Python.
In addition to Computer Science, students develop their ICT skills in a number of lessons delivered by other subjects.
· Using ICT; Presentation Skills
· Using Data and Information Sources; Internet Safety
· Public Information Systems; Spreadsheet and Presentation Skills
· Information Validity and Bias; Internet Skills
· Models and Numeric Data; Spreadsheet Skills
· Control Systems; Control Technology Skills- Product Design
Enrichment opportunities
In the Lower School, we enter the UK Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge organised by the University of Oxford. The challenge introduces computational thinking to students while completing the online tasks. It takes part in over 40 countries and is designed to encourage students to become excited about computing. Many of our students gain Certificates of Participation, Merit, and Distinction, and some successfully achieved a place in the second round and other inter-school competitions.