Why do we learn computer science?
We believe in the power of Computer Science as a discipline that will enable students to actively participate and thrive in a world heavily influenced by technology.
At primary level, the computing curriculum at Ark John Keats is designed to develop pupils’ digital competency and instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology, providing opportunities for pupils to use technology to create, manage, organise, and collaborate. We intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent but also to be responsible online citizens. At secondary level, we support students in progressing to higher education and training and with their long-term career aspirations in or beyond the tech-industry: they develop foundational knowledge including how computers work and how data is represented, transferred, processed and stored between computational systems.
We want our students to use technology as a tool for learning and expression in a variety of disciplines and interests, becoming not just consumers of technology, but creators of it. Pupils also learn about the wider issues surrounding the use of technology in society, through engaging in discussions and reflecting upon the ethical, legal and environmental issues, and developing digital literacy through exploring and being critical of the media they consume through various digital platforms.
Our approach
Computer Science is offered as a GCSE and A-Level subject but is not a timetabled lesson at KS3. We meet our curriculum vision and aims for computing in KS3 through our curriculum subjects and drop- down days – known as Pillar Days.
At KS3 we use the ‘Kapow Computing’ programme to support the computing curriculum we deliver. This ensures that there is a progression of knowledge and skills that the children can build on each year. Our curriculum is designed with three strands which run throughout: computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
Year 1
| Autumn |
|---|
| N/A |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Improving mouse skills | Algorithms unplugged |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Programming Nee-Bots | Introduction to data |
All Year 1 subjects Next Year 1 Subject - Physical Education
Year 2
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Online safety | Computing systems and networks |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Word processing | Algorithms & debugging |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Data handling | Stop motion |
All Year 2 subjects Next Year 2 Subject - Physical Education
Year 3
| Autumn |
|---|
| Networks and the internet |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Scratch | Emailing |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Journey inside a Computer | Comparison card databases |
All Year 3 subjects Next Year 3 Subject - Physical Education
Year 4
| Autumn |
|---|
| Further coding with Scratch |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Computational Thinking | Collaborative learning |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| HTML | Investigating weather |
All Year 4 subjects Next Year 4 Subject - Physical Education
Year 5
| Autumn |
|---|
| Online safety |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Search engines | Mars Rover |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Programming Music (Scratch) | Micro:bit |
All Year 5 subjects Next Year 5 Subject - Physical Education
Year 6
| Autumn |
|---|
| Bletchley Park |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Big Data | Big Data 2 |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Intro to Python | Inventing a product |
All Year 6 subjects Next Year 6 Subject - Physical Education
Years 7 - 9
Computer Science is offered as a GCSE and A-Level subject but is not a timetabled lesson at KS3. We meet our curriculum vision and aims for computing in KS3 through our curriculum subjects and drop- down days – known as Pillar Days.
At KS3 we use the ‘Kapow Computing’ programme to support the computing curriculum we deliver. This ensures that there is a progression of knowledge and skills that the children can build on each year. Our curriculum is designed with three strands which run throughout: computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
Year 10
| Autumn |
|---|
|
Units Data Storage Numbers, Characters, Images, Sound, Compression Programming Fundamentals Data Types Additional Programming Techniques Boolean Logic |
| Spring |
|---|
|
Architecture of a CPU CPU Performance Embedded Systems Memory and Storage Secondary Storage Additional Programming Techniques Arrays Defensive Design |
| Summer |
|---|
|
Networks and Topologies Wired and Wireless Networks, Protocols and Layers Sorting and Searching Algorithms Testing |
All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Physical Education
Year 11
| Autumn |
|---|
|
Languages Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Operating Systems Utility Software Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Impact Additional Programming Techniques SQL and Records |
| Spring |
|---|
|
Threats to Systems and Networks Identifying and Preventing Vulnerabilities Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Impact |
| Summer |
|---|
| Revision |
All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Physical Education
Year 12
| Autumn |
|---|
|
Fundamentals of Data Representation Fundamentals of Programming Fundamentals of Data Structures |
| Spring |
|---|
|
Fundamentals of Computer Systems Fundamentals of Computer Organisation and Architecture Theory of Computation Fundamentals of Programming |
| Summer |
|---|
|
Fundamentals of Communication and Networking Consequences of Uses of Computing Systematic Approach to Problem Solving Fundamentals of Databases |
All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Religious Education
Year 13
| Autumn |
|---|
|
Computing Practical Project (NEA) Fundamentals of Data Structures Fundamentals of Algorithms Theory of Computation |
| Spring |
|---|
|
Computing Practical Project (NEA) Fundamentals of Functional Programming Big Data |
| Summer |
|---|
| Revision |
All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Religious Education