KS3 Curriculum

Year 7

Topics: Fundamentals of Computing, Binary, E-Safety, Scratch (Coding), Repeating Patterns (Image editing), Shakespeare Comic Strip (Macbeth), Pivot Stick (animation), Spy School (Spreadsheets), Analysing data and Asking Questions (Database), Kodu (Coding).

Year 8

Topics: Digital Footprint, Control technology, Networks, Understanding Computers, Python (text based programming language), Small Basic (text based programming language), Spreadsheets, Animation (Flash), In my Liverpool Hope (Wed Design).

Year 9

Algorithms and programming

• Interpret, correct and complete algorithms
• Repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve problems (Python), including standard libraries
• uses nested selection statements
• knows the difference between and uses appropriately functions and procedures
• Producing robust programs

Data and Data Representation

• Standard searching (Binary and Linear) and sorting algorithms (Bubble, Merge and Insertion) Logic Gates and Truth Table
• The relationship between the number of bits per character in a character set and the number of characters, which can be represented (for example ASCII, extended ASCII and Unicode).
• Types of compression (lossy and lossless)

Hardware and Processing

Von Neumann architecture

Communication and Networks

• Cloud storage
• Network security
• User access restrictions
• External threats to digital systems
• User access restrictions
• Encryption

Information Technology

• The ability to design and prototype an app for a given purpose and target audience. They will have the opportunity to pitch ideas and present final concept.
• How technology impacts individuals and organisations.

KS4 Curriculum

Year 10

Computer Science

Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

This component incorporates and builds on the knowledge and understanding gained in Component 1, encouraging pupils to apply this knowledge and understanding using computational thinking. Pupils will be introduced to algorithms and programming, learning about programming techniques, how to produce robust programs, computational logic, translators and facilities of computing languages and data representation. Pupils will become familiar with computing related mathematics.

Information Technology

Exploring User Interface Design Principles and Project Planning Techniques

As digital technologies and organisations continue to evolve, each new development offers new and exciting ways of completing tasks and interacting with our hardware devices. Each new development opens up a new project with a new set of user requirements that needs to be solved. In this component, pupils will learn different project planning techniques that can be used to both plan and deliver a project that meets a set of user requirements. Pupils will develop their understanding of what makes an effective user interface and how to effectively manage a project. They will use this understanding to plan, design and create a user interface. This component will build on Key Stage 3 where pupils have learned about computer systems and software applications.

IMedia

Pre-production Documents

This unit will enable pupils to understand pre-production skills used in the creative and digital media sector. It will develop their understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques that form part of the planning and creation process. Planning is an essential part of working in the creative and digital media sector. This unit will enable pupils to acquire the underpinning knowledge and skills needed to create digital media products and gain an understanding of their application.