COMPUTING

Computing at Sir James Smith’s School focuses on equipping pupils with essential digital skills, in a rapidly changing world.

The KS3 Computing curriculum blends teaching students to both use computers confidently and effectively, as well as embedding an understanding of how computers work.

By the end of KS3 in computing, students will have a good level of digital literacy that will; enable them to use ICT effectively in KS4 across all subjects, post 16 education and in their careers, whether in a digital industry or not.

During KS3 Computing, we will deliver a broad and balanced range curriculum that enables students to develop the following skills;

Using the internet in a safe and effective way. Using a range of software best suited for any given task. This includes presenting data in spreadsheet software, creating PowerPoints in presentation software and desktop publishing in DTP software. This enhanced digital literacy will benefit students in a variety of subjects, further education and their future job roles.

Programming in both a visual programming language and a text based programming language called Python. Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language that is widely used in education and industry for software development. Students will develop their programming skills by learning basic commands such as printing text on a screen or carrying out mathematical operations, to more complex concepts such as conditional commands e.g. if statements, loops and variables.

Students will learn how computers work, with a focus on computer components. Students will gain an understanding of computing theory by exploring; input, output and storage devices. Sensor technology and by comparing computer components with parts of the human body will gain a deep understanding of how computers and their peripheral devices all work together for us, the user.

KS3 Computing will lay the foundation for an IT based KS4 qualification such as ‘GCSE Computer Science’, or the more ICT focused ‘Creative iMedia’.

 Please click here to see the information in the Curriculum Handbook