Computer Technology

Computer Technology Curriculum Overview

At Batley Grammar School we believe that our students should have the opportunity to follow an IT and Computing curriculum that prepares them for life in modern Britain and take advantage of opportunities this can offer them in both Britain and the wider world.

Good quality IT skills enable students to engage positively within the modern work place, while Computer Science skills enable students to take an active part in the design, development and creation of new technologies to be used in the world in which they live.

The core to the subject is the understanding of how technology works, can be developed and utilised, and we draw and extend understanding from a range of other subjects outside of IT and Computing including Maths, Science and PHSE and embed clear and high quality literacy and numeracy skills through software development, problem solving and evaluation skills.

We provide a broad range of skills and experiences at KS3 which are then further developed as students enter KS4.

At KS4 all students are given the opportunity to study Creative iMedia, giving them a wide range of IT skills that are used in the modern world including Graphics Design, Media Production and Web Development as well as the option to choose Computer Science at GCSE, where they will go on to develop key problem solving skills, useful in a range of disciplines as well as the coding and software development skills that will give them an opportunity to work or for further study in the developing area seen to be key in the modern world.

Computer Tech will give our students the opportunity 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

Year 7 The year 7 curriculum is designed to cover the following areas:

Computer Science
IT
Computer and Online Safety

Year 7 Curriculum Intent

Ensure students are safe users of computers in terms of online and e-safety and in their general use of IT
Introduce file management skills that they can use for all subjects
Introduce key numeracy topics
Introduce problem solving skills using flow charts
Introduce/extend block programming skills (Scratch)
Introduce the concept of physical computing (Scratch)
Introduce the basic constructs of script based programming (Scratch)

Year 8 The year 8 curriculum is designed to cover the following areas:

Computer Science
IT

Year 8 Curriculum Intent

Develop their appreciation of the pioneers of computing and how their ideas inspired the technologists of today
Develop students awareness of the impact of IT on society (good and bad)
Further develop and extend key computing numeracy topics
Develop problem solving skills and understanding of key algorithms
Develop a deeper understanding of script-based programming languages and be able to use these to solve problems
Introduce and basic HTML web development skills
Develop basic and extended graphic design skills
Introduce/extend block programming skills (microbit)
Introduce the concept of physical computing (microbit)

Year 9 The year 9 curriculum is designed to cover the following areas:

Computer Science
IT

Year 9 Curriculum Intent

To be safe and confident users of IT and Computing resources
Develop a clear understanding of the difference between Computer Science and iMedia in preparation for options
Extend key computing numeracy topics
Develop problem solving skills and understanding of key algorithms
Develop a deeper understanding of script-based programming languages and be able to use these to solve exam styled problems
Develop a deeper understanding of Python
Develop a deeper understanding of graphic design skills using fireworks

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

Computer Systems
Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

KS4 Curriculum Intent

Understand and apply the fundamental concepts and principles of Computer Science
Analyse problems in computational terms through practical problem solving experiences
Enable learners to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
Understand the components that make up digital systems and how they communicate with one another
Understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and wider society
Apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science

The Computer Technology long term plan is available here.