Key Stage 3
The aim of the ICT and Computer Science curriculum is to ensure that by the end of Key Stage 3 all students can use ICT and coding languages securely, creatively and independently, are confident enough to keep their skills up-to-date and are able to apply their ICT experiences to benefit their work in all areas of school education. The knowledge, skills and understanding they need in the subject are closely intertwined and may be summed up as follows:
To handle the wealth of information available efficiently, students need both technical skills and interpersonal skills, which are required in co-operating with others, both present and remote, in an ICT-based task.
A strong awareness of new technology and the possibilities it presents. The world is changing at speed and the school believes that students should be able to handle such changes and utilize new opportunities being presented. By developing a passion for learning about the possibilities and giving students the confidence to independently explore new technologies, the school believes it is developing ICT specialists of the future who can take things in their stride.
Students need to understand the concepts that underpin effective use of ICT. They should appreciate how their use of ICT, or an ICT product, might be improved. Understanding helps students to become reflective and responsible users of ICT, with an awareness of its impact on daily life and society.
Students need some knowledge of the technology, and the technical terms associated with the ICT facilities that they are using.
The ICT and Computer Science department is dedicated to delivering the most up to date curriculum, incorporating a substantial focus on programming and coding in order to prepare students for a smooth transition to our Computer Science GCSE and A-level courses. Students will benefit from learning the basic theory and fundamentals of programming, to advanced coding techniques using Python and other languages, as well as leaning the traditional ICT curriculum that will help them in their everyday lives.