Contact

Head of Department Mrs T. Birds
t.birds@kingsway.stockport.sch.uk

Curriculum Intent

Welcome to the Computing, IT & Business Department at The Kingsway School. Our aim is to provide all students with an excellent standard of teaching, full of opportunities to develop digital literacy whilst giving students the opportunity to learn concepts and principles from Computer Science and Information Technology.

Computing and IT form a major part of a student's learning experience in school, and its use as a learning tool and for the preparation of work is encouraged in all subjects. In relation to Computing pupils will gain an understanding of computer systems and simple programming techniques, they will apply their new skills to real world situations. The department also plays an integral role in equipping students with essential digital skills needed in the work place regardless of the industry or field students decide to pursue in beyond school.

Key Stage 3

Year 7

The year 7 Computing/IT curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to be independent to make choices about technology, the appropriateness of its use and work collaboratively. In relation to Computing pupils will gain an understanding of computer systems and simple programming techniques, they will apply their new skills to real world situations. Pupils will also be introduced to work skill scenarios through the use of Spreadsheets and digital media. Throughout the year pupils also make regular use of Google classroom and Google documents.

Year 8

In year 8 pupils complete a number of project based tasks that build on the strands of Computing and IT developed in Year 7. Pupils will be introduced to understanding Computing through networks as well as basic programming concepts through Python turtle. Work based skills in spreadsheets will be developed to include functions and effective formatting as well as introduction to pre-production skills in digital media.

Year 9

In year 9 pupils complete a number of project based tasks that build on work covered in Years 7 and 8 and continues to develop their understanding of the strands of Computing, and IT. Pupils will continue to develop their understanding of programming concepts through the use of Python as well be introduced to data representation. The foundation of spreadsheet concepts built in year 7 & 8 will develop into data manipulation in databases through the use of filter and queries.

Key Stage 3 Overview

  Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Autumn 1 E-Safety Animation Animation
Autumn 2 Spreadsheets
(Introduction)
Spreadsheets
(Functions/development)
Databases
(Sort/Filter/Query/Form)
Spring 1 Understanding computers
(Hardware Software)
Understanding computers
(Networks Basics)
Understanding computers
(Networks/data)
Spring 2 Algorithms & Flowol Python Turtle Python
Summer 1 End of year exam/Scratch End of year exam/Digital Media End of year exam/Digital Media
Summer 2 Digital Media Digital Media Digital Media

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 4 Computing

We currently offer OCR Computer Science, this course gives the students a comprehensive experience of how computers work internally and an in depth theoretical understanding of computational concepts by giving an insight into what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ including computer programming. Pupils will develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills, which can be transferred to further learning and everyday life.

There are two units:

Principles of Computer Science

This unit covers the body of knowledge about computer systems. It is assessed by a written paper, which has a mixture of short and long answer question.

Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming

This is a scenario based written paper that focuses on understanding algorithms and the development of program code to include the ability to construct truth tables, produce logical statements and read and interpret pseudo-code.

  Year 10 Year 11
Term 1 Intro to computer systems Algorithms
Term 2 Networks/Topologies Programming techniques
Term 3 Security, ethics & legislation Data representation

Key Stage 4 Information Technology

Students who opt to pursue a qualification IT will complete the OCR creative iMedia qualification. The newly accredited Technical Awards equip students with applied knowledge and associated practical skills not usually acquired through general education.

At Key Stage 4 will be taught a wide range of skills designed to stimulate creativity and develop real-world, practical skills that will motivate learning across a wide range of subjects. The technical award has been designed to engage and enthuse young people with an interest in creative computing, for example digital graphics and animations, interactive and multimedia products. Our aim is to encourage learners to consider pursuing education, training and career paths which will contribute to the nation’s economic well-being, while achieving job satisfaction and reward.

The UK has a well-deserved reputation for producing innovation and design. In an era in which creativity is intertwining with technology like never before, there is a danger that the UK will fail to nurture the next generation of world class designers. This course will teach digital design skills and enable young people to use digital tools to express their creativity in an informed and responsible way.

  Year 10 Year 11
Term 1 R081 - Pre production R084 Comics
Term 2 R082 - Digital graphics R085 Digital product
Term 3 R082 - Digital graphics R085 Digital product