Computing & Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Curriculum Overview
Intent: why do we teach what we teach?
Computer Science enables students to independently solve problems by harnessing and developing the technology of today and tomorrow. Students develop a digital literacy which includes how to access information correctly and safely, understand the fundamentals of why and how computers work the way they do, understand how to appreciate and make better use of the technology of tomorrow.
Implementation: how do we teach what we teach?
Students at The Elmgreen School study Computer Science in single lessons, once a week in years 7, 8 and 9. Students in years 10 can choose to further study ICT/ Computer Science as an optional subject and are taught in a mix of single and double lessons. In years 11, 12 and 13 students are taught in double lessons.
The curriculum for KS3 leads on from Primary School as Scratch Programming is currently implemented as KS2, and students are entering year 7 with more knowledge of computers & coding than ever before. The essence is to build on knowledge from KS2 by being aware of what is taught in Primary school year 6 (using our links with Rosendale), as well as to prepare students for new skills year by year from 7-9 to ensure students are ready for and choose the right course to suit them in KS4, and know the difference in courses for Computer Science and ICT BTEC Tech DIT level 2 implementing specifications for Computer Science and ICT.
Lessons are taught to the same sequence of delivery as in KS4 curriculum to ensure each topic links to prior knowledge of the last topic taught in each year group. The aim of the Computing curriculum is to develop students into responsible and capable members of an increasingly digital world.
Our KS4 curriculum is designed for our learners to be as creative as possible. Students have the option of ICT BTEC Tech Digital Information Technologies Level 2 & OCR 9-1 GCSE Computer Science J276. The curriculum is tailored to decompose tasks into manageable chunks allowing all ability students to access the curriculum whilst stretching their thought processes and use real-world examples, knowledge of problem solving as well as the importance of keywords and subject specific language.
Lessons are scaffolded and differentiated to allow access to the Computer Science curriculum for all students from KS3, KS4 & KS5. The range and progression of projects covered developing skills in a wide range of areas including programming, computational thinking, digital publishing, data handling, digital graphics design, web development, cyber-security, networks and databases. Necessary skills in responsible internet use (e-SAFETY) and the management of the digital footprint is also explicitly taught to each year group.
Impact: how do we know what pupils have learnt and how well they have learnt it?
The use of assessment for learning, trackers are used along with PLCs which inform teachers of gaps in student knowledge and used to adapt curriculum to suit and close those gaps in knowledge.
