Curriculum Mission Statement

Computers are at the heart of almost all technological advances made in today’s world. It is the future Computer Scientists who hold the key to unlocking new technologies and advancing society even further. It is estimated that the top 10 highest paid jobs in the year 2025, do not yet exist. It is with this in mind, that we have structured a curriculum of Computer Science/ICT, that not only develops cutting edge skills in computer programming to prepare pupils for the future, computer architecture and digital literacy, but allows our pupils to develop their learning skills so that they become effective problem solvers who work independently with resilience and enthusiasm to creatively overcome all challenges.

Progression | Further/Higher Education and Careers

Successful study of Computer Science at Sandhill View can open up opportunities for pupils to move onto A Level Study at out partner Sixth-Form at Southmoor or at college. There are even apprenticeships directly focussing on programming, web design and app design that our Year 11 leaves may be interested in pursuing.

Achieving A Levels can open the door to Degree level study in the field of Computer Science, including Ethical Hacking, Game Design, Web Design, Network Management, Data Analysis, Data Management, Computer Animation and many, many more.

The demand in the Computer Science industry is so high, that it is listed at the very top of the table of Industries requiring qualified employees. i.e. there are more jobs waiting to be filled, in the Computer Science Sector than any other industry.

Curriculum/Course Overview

How the subject supports pupils in making progress

In Computer Science, to ensure our pupils make as much progress as possible toward achieving their targets and fulfilling their potentials, we leave no stone unturned, taking actions including:

• A half-termly analysis of performance data
• Half-termly action plans to identify any pupils performing below expectations and implementing measures to support them in bridging any knowledge gaps and addressing misconceptions
• Evaluation of individuals pupils ‘barriers to progress’ with action plans to overcome these
• Providing effective feedback specific to the needs of each pupils to ensure their own misconceptions are addressed and they are encouraged to think more deeply about content
• Regular and challenging homework to consolidate and extend learning, communicated to parents/carers using ‘Show My Homework’

Assessment & Feedback

At Key Stage 3, pupils are measured against ‘age expectations’ meaning that a set of expectations is established in Year 7 that we would like all Year 7 pupils to be able to demonstrate, if they are to be on-track to achieve a good grade by GCSE. The level of expectation then increases appropriately in Year 8. Pupils will either be working ‘toward’, ‘at’ or ‘greater than’ their age expected level. Please click here for the Computer Science Age Expected Levels

In Computer Science, at both KS3 and KS4, pupils are given an ‘end of topic’ assessment in which they are tasked with demonstrating the skills developed throughout the unit of study they’ve just completed. Teachers then provide feedback on the work produced and give the pupils the opportunity to respond to the feedback, addressing misconceptions and deepening their understanding of the topic.

Staffing

Mr T. O’Hara – Subject Leader

Mrs J. Davies – Head of KS3 Computer Science and Transition

Useful Links

• Binary Booklet

• CPU Hardware Booklet

• Digital Society Booklet

• Micro Python Booklet

• Programming Booklet