Computing and IT
Back to Subjects MenuWhat is the Intent of the Computing and IT Curriculum?
Computer Science is a subject in demand within a globally competitive world. It has become an ever-growing part of human life, affecting many aspects of a person’s day. Computer systems are embedded ubiquitously in everyday devices, smart phones, washing machines, heating systems and vehicles, as our world embraces “The Internet of Things”. Computer scientists have an impact on how our society advances by developing and maintaining these systems: whether it be for our home, work, learning or entertainment environments. Computer Science is an exciting and rapidly evolving subject that offers excellent employment prospects and well-paid careers.
The Computer Science department at the Marsh aims to develop the mind-set of a computer scientist through equipping students with the skills to participate in a rapidly changing world. The curriculum journey incorporates challenging and engaging topics, giving students the opportunity to develop their capability, creativity and subject knowledge. It also capitalises upon, and feeds into, learning within other subject disciplines including mathematics, science and design and technology. It is these opportunities that enable students to develop and hone skills that can be applied in day- to-day life.
Steve Jobs said, “Everyone should learn how to code, it teaches you to think.” Computational thinking is an essential skill for everyone to have and helps in all subject areas and careers.
The curriculum has been designed to ensure learners have sufficient knowledge to stay safe online and use computers safely in life. We want students to not only understand how to use technology effectively, safely and responsibly, but also how technology is developed and constantly redeveloped into new and exciting tools. The curriculum also provides a focus on developing resilient learners who can recover from mistakes and effectively solve problems. This will help develop a lifelong effect of learning and how to develop themselves further and prepare for the future.
The curriculum is developed so that students are taught the principles of problem solving and computation, which prepares them to solve the problems of tomorrow, by developing learner’s knowledge, skills and understanding through key computational concepts and experience. They develop an understanding of all the technology that surrounds them by not just understanding how computer systems work, but how to put this knowledge to use through programming and problem solving. Building on this knowledge and understanding, students are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content whilst developing programming skills. Students will also analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing and evaluating programs. This also ensures that students become digitally literate – able to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through information technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. We endeavor to make the curriculum as motivational and interesting as possible with a high level of challenge by offering breadth and depth of experiences for the students. Our aim is to ensure that students develop and
achieve ICT capability that is directly transferable, not only to other subjects, but also to the future learning pathways and beyond, developing a wide range of digital skills that will prepare learners for the future.
The key stage 3 curriculum provides challenges and new experiences in computing, digital literacy and digital media (regardless of their prior knowledge of using computers) and is designed to ensure students studying GCSE Computer Science have a basis of knowledge, skills and understanding in the fundamental concepts covered at KS4. Over time, students learn to, and develop proficiency in, program in 2 languages, starting with block-based languages before progressing to High-Level Languages. The curriculum journey connects to other curriculum areas holistically to ensure learning contexts are authentic, meaningful and provide opportunities for application of skills, investigation and purposeful play. In addition, references to key events and developments through the history of technology using role models from all aspects of society are used in an inspirational and motivational way for students.
We aim to enable students to develop a love for the subject and an understanding that there are no limits to their own development in programming and IT. To enthuse students to have an understanding far deeper than the interface that they currently operate. This is done by offering challenging opportunities and personal development.
Assessment
Each module is assessed
Quiz completed for each module
Test completed as part of whole school assessment weeks
Homework
Teams & Seneca Learning
