Computing Curriculum

Our Curriculum Intent

The Computing Curriculum at CCSC covers the five years from Year 7 to Year 11 and each year builds on and recaps the learning from previous years. Our Curriculum maps and overviews show pupils how each stage links logically into the next. Those who do not opt to study Computer Science or iMedia have opportunity to study topics to prepare them effectively for time after CCSC through other subjects, the use of thier iPad and PSCHE topics.

Our department thrives to make computers accessible and interesting to everybody, and has developed a curriculum to prepare all pupils for multiple pathways and improve their digital literacy, creative ICT skills and technical understanding of computers and programming. All pupils have access to either a desktop computer or an iPad and make extensive use of OneNote to record work in our efforts to create a paperless department.

In order to ensure that all pupils have a solid foundation for learning, we follow a spiral curriculum with the ethos of:

Know more: Pupils existing foundations are assessed and built upon, with a focus on Crucial Knowledge to build stronger foundations
Remember more: Pupils are regularly and repeatedly make use of our Crucial knowledge resources to assist recall with regular and timetabled opportunities for recap activities and revision.
Understand it: Pupils are regularly and informally assessed to capture understanding, with a range of classroom activities and exercises to capture confidence levels and see if the know or remember stages need revisiting.
Apply it: Pupils build upon all these foundations and apply the knowledge in assessments and practical activities and questions

Key Stage 3

All pupils at CCSC have one hour of Computing a week, with an extra Computer Skills session in Year 7 to focus on key skills to get the most out of technology in all lessons. The curriculum at Key Stage 3 has been designed to prepare pupils whether they wish to study the technical side with GCSE Computer Science, the creative side by making digital products in iMedia or just to prepare them for the future and improve their digital literacy.

Year 7

Collaborating Online Respecfully
Using Media to Gain Support for a Cause
Modelling Data with Spreadsheets
Computer Networks
Programming Essentials in Scratch

Year 8

Understanding Binary
Using Vecor Graphics
Mobile App Development
Introduction to Python Programming
Developing for the Web
Control Systems

Key Stage 4

All pupils develop Digital literacy at KS4 through links with other subjects and the use of an iPad. The CCSC Computing Department offers two dedicated courses at Key Stage 4: GCSE Computer Science and the Creative iMedia Cambridge National. We teach the course content over a two year GCSE and use Year 9 to focus on foundational skills to prepare our pupils for the course with many opportunities for recvap and consolidation. All pupils have that opt for the courses have two hours of lessons at Key Stage 4, and four hours if both subjects are chosen.

GCSE Computer Science

This is a course that has real relevance in our modern world. The course will give you an in-depth understanding of how computer technology works and a look at what goes on “behind the scenes”. As part of this, you will investigate computer programming, which many computing students find interesting. Year 9 focuses entirely on improving our programming skills using the PRIMM model to create independent and resilient learners.

GCSE Computing on the OCR exam board is a qualification being offered at Chesterton Community Sports College. Students can expect to achieve a grade between 9 - 1 which will count as one of their sciences in the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc).

Students should be proficient in Mathematics and English, and have an interest in the technical aspects of computing. Students should also be willing to solve problems independently

What will I learn?

Content Overview	Assessment Overview
Computer systems  Systems Architecture  Memory  Storage  Wired and wireless networks  Network topologies, protocols and layers  System security  System software  Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns	Computer systems (01) 80 marks 1 hour and 30 minutes Written paper (no calculators allowed)	50% of total GCSE
Computational thinking, algorithms and programming  Algorithms  Programming techniques  Producing robust programs  Computational logic  Translators and facilities of languages  Data representation	Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (02) 80 marks 1 hour and 30 minutes Written paper (no calculators allowed)	50% of total GCSE
Programming  Programming techniques  Analysis  Design  Development  Testing and evaluation and conclusions	In class programming projects

With technology ever changing, there is a demand for professionals who are qualified in this area. If you want to go on to higher study and employment in the field of Computer Science, you will find that this course provides a superb stepping stone. Once you have taken a Computing GCSE and you can then progress to study the subject at A Level and then university.

For more information please follow THIS LINK to the official course website.

Year 9 & 10: Re-developed Cambridge National in Creative iMedia

Students begin year 9 covering a broad introduction to the subject. The aim of the introduction is to provide students with the crucial knowledge and skills required for each unit of the course, and opportunity to regularly recap and apply the crucial knowledge. This links to our whole school objective of “Know more, remember more, understand it and apply it”. In addition to this, students also have opportunity to explore links to other subjects and knowledge covered in year 7 & 8, alongside exploring career paths relevant to the subject.

Students will also develop their research and referencing skills, which are essential to complete internal assessments on the course.

Students in year 9 will follow the re-developed OCR Cambridge National in Creative iMedia, due for first teaching in September 2022. This course is currently awaiting Ofqual approval, and therefore the draft specification is currently being used to inform our introduction to the course.

Information on the re-developed course can be found at:

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/creative-imedia-level-1-2-j834/

Year 11: Cambridge National Creative iMedia

Creative iMedia is our vocational pathway. It lets students gain knowledge in a number of key areas in the media field, from pre-production skills to digital animation, and offers a hands-on approach to learning. The options available offer the chance for your child to explore areas of creative media that interest them. The Cambridge National in Creative iMedia will also provide opportunities to develop useful transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts effectively.

In Year 9 we focus on giving pupils the pre-production and planning skills they need to succeed before providing them with a series of mini-coursework tasks to prepare them for the real thing starting in Year 10.

Most of the qualification is tested by coursework that’s set and marked by your child’s teacher. This will be done throughout the two-year course. So if your child likes project work, enjoys research and doing practical things they may find a Cambridge National a better option than a GCSE.

One of the units that students must take – on pre- production skills – involves a written exam that lasts one hour and 15 minutes that is marked externally.

The compulsory units are:

Pre-Prouction Skills (assessed by a 1 hour 15 minute examination)
Creating Digital Graphics

The optional units currently being taught are:

Storytelling with a Comic Strip
Designing a Game Concept

For more information please follow THIS LINK to the official course website.