Computer Technology

Curriculum Overview

At Batley Grammar School, we are committed to providing a comprehensive IT and Computing curriculum designed to equip our students for the demands and opportunities of contemporary Britain and beyond. Our programme is meticulously crafted to ensure that our students not only acquire high-quality IT skills, crucial for effective engagement in today's digital workplace, but also gain deep insights into Computer Science. This empowers them to actively participate in the design, development, and innovation of new technologies, shaping the world they inhabit.

Central to our curriculum is a profound understanding of how technology operates, evolves, and can be harnessed for diverse applications. We achieve this by integrating and expanding concepts from a variety of disciplines, including Mathematics, Science, and Personal, Health, and Social Education (PHSE). This interdisciplinary approach is further enriched by embedding robust literacy and numeracy skills within our software development, problem-solving, and evaluative practices.

Our curriculum offers a broad spectrum of skills and experiences at Key Stage 3 (KS3), laying a solid foundation that is further refined and specialised as students’ progress to Key Stage 4 (KS4). At KS4, students have the opportunity to delve into Cambridge IT, acquiring a diverse set of IT skills relevant to the modern world, such as Graphic Design, Media Production, and Web Development. Additionally, students can opt for GCSE Computer Science, where they develop essential problem-solving skills applicable across various disciplines, along with coding and software development expertise that are increasingly recognised as vital in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Through our Computer Technology programme, we aim to provide our students with a plethora of opportunities to:

Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of the key concepts and principles of Computer Science:

Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science
Be able to apply key algorithms and data representation and mathematical skills through practical and theoretical work.
Understand the key components that make up digital systems and how they communicate
Understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual, wider society, the ethical changes and cultural impacts as well as the positive and negative impacts digital technology has had on the environment
To equip learners with a range of creative media skills and provide opportunities to develop, in context, desirable, transferable skills in areas such as research, planning and evaluation

Analyse problems in computational terms:

To make reasoned judgements
To design, program, evaluate and refine solutions.
Plan and develop software using the software design life cycle
Use a range of software design techniques such as flowcharts, pseudocode and visualisation diagrams
Develop key problem-solving skills of Abstraction, Decomposition and Algorithmic thinking
Develop key skills and practical experience in script-based programming languages and be able to design, write and debug programs to solve non-simplistic problems
To be able to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically when solving problems
Be able to make informed decisions on appropriate and efficient coding techniques such as sequence, selection, iteration and the use of functions

To be able to design, program, evaluate and refine solutions to problems

Learning Journey:

Year 7 Curriculum Intent

Ensure students are safe and responsible users of technology, emphasizing digital literacy and online safety.
Introduce computational thinking concepts such as basic algorithms and logical reasoning.
Integrate file management and numeracy skills within computing tasks.
Begin foundational block programming skills with Scratch, introducing physical computing concepts.

Year 8 Curriculum Intent

Develop an appreciation of computing pioneers and their influence on modern technology.
Enhance awareness of Computing’s societal impact, covering both positive and negative aspects.
Advance computational thinking skills through problem-solving activities and understanding of key algorithms.
Introduce script-based programming languages for problem-solving such as Microsoft Small Basic.
Begin basic HTML web development and graphic design skills.
Introduce physical computing with Microbits, expanding on block programming skills.

Year 9 Curriculum Intent

Ensure students are confident in using IT and Computing resources, with a clear understanding of Computer Science vs IT.
Extend computing numeracy topics and problem-solving skills.
Deepen understanding of text-based programming languages, focusing on Python.
Enhance computational thinking skills including abstraction, decomposition, and logical thinking.
Explore the history of computing and its key figures.
Develop graphic design skills using advanced tools like Photoshop.

GCSE Computer Science - The KS4 Computer Science curriculum is designed to cover the following areas:

Computer Systems
Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

KS4 Computer Science Curriculum Intent

Understand and apply advanced concepts and principles of Computer Science.
Analyse complex problems computationally through practical problem-solving experiences.
Foster innovative, analytical, and logical thinking.
Deepen understanding of digital systems and their communication.
Explore the broader impacts of digital technology on society and the environment.
Apply mathematical skills relevant to advanced Computer Science topics.

Cambridge Technical Level 2 IT - The KS4 Cambridge Technical Level 2 IT curriculum is designed to cover the following areas:

IT in the digital world
Data manipulation using spreadsheets
Using Augmented Reality to present information

KS4 Curriculum Intent

Understand and apply advanced concepts and principles of Computer Science.
Analyse complex problems computationally through practical problem-solving experiences.
Foster innovative, analytical, and logical thinking.
Deepen understanding of digital systems and their communication.
Explore the broader impacts of digital technology on society and the environment.
Apply mathematical skills relevant to advanced Computer Science topics.

The Computer Technology long-term plan is available here.