Computing

Curriculum Overview - Computing

Curriculum Intent 

The vision for the Computing department at Cardinal Hume Catholic School is to provide a balanced and informed curriculum across all key stages in the school. The primary aim of the department is to provide students with the opportunity to embrace technology and to inspire them within the subject. Computing is integral in all people’s lives. Our pupils will become the next generation of digital citizens. We aim to provide an outstanding computing education that equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.

KS3: In KS3, students will be taught the key skills across the three Computing strands: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy.  This will allow pupils to make informed choices on how they pursue the core strands as they continue their learning journey in KS4.  Pupils will gain an understanding of the fundamental computing concepts, principles and societal impacts. Pupils will learn how to apply this knowledge to a wide range of scenarios using logic and problem-solving skills.   Pupils will also develop their digital creativity skills through the use of industry standard software. Pupils will have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve problems and complete real-world tasks. In addition, pupils will become responsible, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.  

 

KS4: At KS4 students are given the opportunity to study either Information Technology or Computer Science.   

The Information Technology pathway inspires and equips students with the confidence to use skills that are relevant to the IT sector and more widely. Students use their learning in practical, real-life situations, such as: data manipulation, augmented reality and using different applications and tools to design, create and evaluate IT solutions and products.    

 

The Computer Science pathway is engaging and practical and encourages creativity and problem solving. It encourages students to develop their understanding and application of the core concepts in computer science. Students also analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing and evaluating programs.  

KS5: At KS5 students are given the opportunity to study either Information Technology or Computer Science.  These are ideal ‘next steps’ for the pathways we offer at KS4.  Both pathways prepare students for the next stages in their education the local tech sector.   

 

The Information Technology pathway is a vocational path designed with the workplace and progression to higher education in mind. It provides a high-quality alternative to A-Levels. The course includes practical and wider project-based assessment opportunities in web design, project planning and application development, as well as examined units on the Fundamentals of IT and Global Information  

The Computer Science A level pathway enables learners to develop a greater understanding of and an ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, and logic, algorithms and data representation. This is also a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems. Learners will further develop their capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically.  Learners will explore the moral, ethical, legal and cultural opportunities and the risks of digital technology.  

Course content – KS3 Computing

Course content – KS4 Computer Science GCSE

Course content – KS4 and KS5 IT

Course Content – A level Computer Science

 

External Links:  

OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277): https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j277-from-2020/specification-at-a-glance/   

OCR A Level Computer Science (H446): https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/computer-science-h046-h446-from-2015/   

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