Why choose Computer Science?

We are living in the age of digital technology, things that used to be completed on paper or in person are now done online often remotely. With this in mind learning not only about computers and how they work, but how to use them is an essential skill to learn. Studying computing not only gives you an insight into how computers work, how they think, how programs are made, but how to use them effectively. Studying computing not only opens a whole world of opportunities not only in terms of life skills, but transferable ones to many different career pathways. It can open the door to many careers both in STEM subjects such as computer science and engineering but almost any other career path that involves the use of computers and information technology.

Computer Science Curriculum Overview

Please click the year group and half-term to view additional information.

 

Half Term 1
Knowledge
Data representation
System software
Programming fundamentals
Skills / application of knowledge
Python programming skills
Data types
Understanding binary
Image & sound representation
File sizes & equations
Operating systems
Utility software
Links to prior learning
Year 7- under the hood of a computer, micro:bits, small basic
Year 8- python introduction, memory and storage
Year 9-, python/advanced python programming, image & sound representation 
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions 
Half Term 2
Knowledge
System software
System architecture & storage
Programming fundamentals
Skills / application of knowledge
Operating systems
Utility software
The purpose of the CPU
Common CPU components
Primary & secondary storage
Types of storage
Python programming skills
Links to prior learning
Year 7- micro:bits, small basic, under the hood of a computer
Year 8- python introduction, binary and hex
Year 9-, python/advanced python programming, image & sound representation
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions 
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Robust & secure programming
Programming fundamentals
Revision techniques
Skills / application of knowledge
Defensive design
Testing
Python programming skills
Links to prior learning
Year 7- micro:bits, small basic
Year 8 - python introduction
Year 9 - python/advanced python programming 
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions
Mock exam 1 paper 1 & 2 (in-class)
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Computer networks
Programming fundamentals
Ethical, legal & environmental issues
Skills / application of knowledge
LAN & WAN
Network topologies
Network connection types
Python programming skills
Links to prior learning
Year 7- how the web works, micro:bits, small basic
Year 8 - networks, python introduction
Year 9 - ethical, legal & environmental issues, python/advanced python programming
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions 
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Ethical, legal & environmental issues
Programming fundamentals
Revision techniques
Skills / application of knowledge
Legal issues
Ethical issues
Environmental issues
Python programming skills
Links to prior learning
Year 7- e-safety, multimedia product, micro:bits, small basic
Year 8 – video editing, python introduction
Year 9 – ethical, legal & environmental issues, digital graphics, python/advanced python programming
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions 
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Classification of programming languages
Programming fundamentals
Revision techniques
Skills / application of knowledge
High- & low-level languages
Python programming skills
Links to prior learning
Year 7 - micro:bits, small basic
Year 8 - python introduction
Year 9 - python/advanced python programming 
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions
Mock exam 2 paper 1 & 2 (in-class)
Half Term 1
Knowledge
Algorithms & computational logic
Programming skills
Revision techniques
Skills / application of knowledge
Computational thinking
Designing, creating, and refining algorithms
Searching and sorting algorithms
Programming fundamentals 
Links to prior learning
Year 7- micro:bits, small basic
Year 8- searching and sorting data, python introduction
Year 9-, python/advanced python programming 
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions
Mock exam 1 paper 1 & 2 (in-class)
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Computer networks, protocols & layers
Programming skills
Revision techniques
Skills / application of knowledge
Networks and topologies
Wired and wireless networks, protocols, and layers 
Network topologies
Network hardware
Programming fundamentals 
Links to prior learning
Year 7- how the web works, micro:bits,  small basic
Year 8- networks, python introduction
Year 9- python programming/advanced python programming 
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions
Mock exam 1 paper 1 & 2 (in-class)
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Network & cyber security
Programming skills
Revision techniques
Skills / application of knowledge
Identifying and preventing vulnerabilities
Threats to computer systems and networks
Programming fundamentals 
Links to prior learning
Year 7- e-safety, micro:bits,  small basic
Year 8- system security, python introduction
Year 9- ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental issues in computing, python programming/advanced python programming 
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions
Mock exam 2 paper 1 & 2 (official)
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Network & cyber security
Programming skills
Revision techniques
Skills / application of knowledge
Identifying and preventing vulnerabilities
Threats to computer systems and networks
Programming fundamentals 
Links to prior learning
Year 7- e-safety, micro:bits,  small basic
Year 8 - system security, python introduction
Year 9 - ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental issues in computing, python programming/advanced python programming 
Assessment
End of topic test
Exam questions