Computing

Head of Department: Mr Letus Nyati

Introduction of the Computing Curriculum

At Hartshill Academy, Computer Science is taught at Key Stage 3 with pupils progressing to Pearson Level 1/2 Digital Information Technology as an option at Key Stage 4.  

Computing at Key Stage 3 is part of the National Computing Curriculum available here and is made up of three key areas which pupils will be taught in Year 9.  

  • Computer science
  • Digital Literacy and 
  • Information Technology 

Each component is essential in preparing our pupils to thrive in an ever changing and increasingly digital world that we live in today. 

Pupils will arrive at Key Stage 3 with differing knowledge and experiences of computing and Key Stage 3 is therefore, a stepping stone for future qualifications and careers. Our intent is to cover relevant parts of the curriculum in sufficient depth so that pupils can make informed choices about their future. 

Key Stage 3 Computer Science

Subject content

Pupils will be taught to:  

  • Design, use and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems. 
  • Use two or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems 
  • Understand how numbers can be represented in binary, and be able to carry out simple operations on binary numbers [for example, binary addition, and conversion between binary and decimal] 
  • Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems 
  • Understand how data of various types (including text, sounds and pictures) can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits 
  • Understand how instructions are stored and executed within a computer system 

What is taught in Key Stage 3 Computer Science? 

Pupils will complete the following topics:  

Autumn 1 

E-safety and Cyber Security 

Autumn 2 

Computer Systems 

Spring 1 

Computational Thinking 

Spring 2 

Computer Networks 

Summer 1 

Advanced Spreadsheet 

Summer 2 

IT and Business Project - Working to a Brief 

For summative assessment pupils will complete a mid-year assessment and an end of year assessment in Computer Science. 

Key Stage 4 Computer Science

Key Stage 4 Subject content 

Pearson BTEC Level 1/2 Award in Digital Information Technology 

The BTEC Level 1/2 Award in Digital Information Technology is a 2 year course which pupils select as an option at the end of KS3. Pupils will complete the qualification over 150 hours of Total Qualification Time with 120 hours of Guided Learning Hours.  

The curriculum for Digital Information Technology can be found here.  

Pupils have the opportunity to study Digital Information Technology at sufficient depth to allow them to progress to higher levels of study or to a professional career.  

Pupils will be taught to: 

  • Develop their capability, creativity and knowledge in digital media and information technology 
  • Develop and apply their analytic, problem-solving, design, and computational thinking skills Understand how changes in technology affect safety, including new ways to protect their online privacy and identity, and how to identify and report a range of concerns.
  • Undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications, across a range of devices, to achieve challenging goals, including collecting and analysing data and meeting the needs of known users 
  • Create, re-use, revise and re-purpose digital artefacts for a given audience, with attention to trustworthiness, design and usability 
  • Understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct and know how to report concerns. 

What is taught in Digital Information Technology? 

The Tech Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific applied knowledge and skills through realistic vocational contexts. The main focus is on four areas of equal importance, which cover the:  

  • Development of key skills that prove your aptitude in digital information technology, such as project planning, designing and creating user interfaces and dashboards as a way to present and interpret data 
  • Process that underpins effective ways of working in digital information technology, such as project planning, the iterative design process, cyber security, virtual teams, legal and ethical codes of conduct 
  • Attitudes that are considered most important in digital information technology, including personal management and communication 
  • Knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, process and attitudes in the sector such as how different user interfaces meet user needs, how organisations collect and use data to make decisions, virtual workplaces, cyber security and legal and ethical issues.  

This Tech Award complements the learning in GCSE programmes such as GCSE Computer Science. It is an introduction to the application of project planning techniques to plan, design and develop a user interface, how to collect, present and interpret data and the use of digital systems.  

There are 3 Components which pupils have to study and complete. The required knowledge of the 3 Components can be found on the specification here.  

The Components are as follows:  

Pearson BTEC Level 1/ Level 2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology 

Component number 

Component title 

GLH 

Level 

How assessed 

1 

Exploring User Interface Design Principles and Project Planning Techniques 

36 

1/2 

Internal 

2 

Collecting, Presenting and Interpreting Data 

36 

1/2 

Internal 

3 

Effective Digital Working Practices  

48 

1/2 

External Synoptic 

Learners are required to complete and achieve all the three components in the qualification.  

As well as the above, pupils will complete some formative assessments for mid-year and mock exams in Year 10 and 11. These will either be PSA practice tasks or past exam papers. 

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