Year 7
Welcome to Year 7 Computing
The primary intent of our year 7 computing curriculum is to cultivate essential digital skills, computational thinking, and technological creativity. Through interactive and dynamic lessons, students acquire proficiency in utilising digital tools and platforms effectively. Our Year 7 computing curriculum explores the digital world. Students delve into the essentials of computer safety, understanding the nuances of navigating both work and social digital landscapes. They master Microsoft PowerPoint for professional presentations and venture into the world of digital graphic creation, learning the intricacies of Bitmaps & Vector Graphics. Continuing their journey, students dive into programming fundamentals, building on their coding experiences from primary school with Scratch. With Python, they craft intricate shapes and patterns, laying the groundwork for advanced computational skills. Our engaging curriculum equips students with the digital fluency needed to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.
Proud Values
Professionalism is evident in our computing classes, we teach students to critically analyse their work and demonstrate responsible use of digital resources.
Resilience shines through as students tackle complex programming challenges, we teach our students to be persistent through errors and setbacks to refine their coding skills.
Optimism is evident as we teach students to approach new technologies with a positive mindset and eagerly embrace opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and creativity.
Understanding is fostered across all levels, we teach our students to comprehend coding concepts and use a wide range of software.
The drive to excel propels students forward in computing classes, inspiring them to pursue excellence in projects, presentations, and problem-solving, preparing them for success in the digital world.
Throughout year 7, students demonstrate their creativity by using different software to craft a diverse array of digital products, spanning from Digital Images to Sound Sequences and Websites. Furthermore, students employ Office Based Software to articulate their work and ideas professionally, equipping them for future academic learning.
Teaching facilities
The subject of computing is taught in one of our three well-equipped computer suites. Complete with air conditioning for added comfort, students engage in hands-on activities and practical lessons using cutting-edge technology.
Curriculum Map for Year 7
| Topics | Knowledge and Skills |
| Using Computers Safely Effectively and Responsibly: Students will complete a course that introduces them to the concepts of using computers safely in both a work and social environment. Students will gain an understanding of how computers are both a tool and a hazard as well as how to avoid errors in judgement – E-Safety. Students will also learn about the components that make up a computer system Office Skills: Microsoft PowerPoint | Understand filing system and drives Understand the risks and opportunities associated with computers Limit the risks associated with social media Understand the threats to computer systems Understand different audiences and purposes Present work for a given audience and purpose Utilise standard programs to achieve high quality outcomes Integrate various programs for more efficiency Create small programs Break processes down into smaller chunks Create multimedia elements |
| Digital Graphic Creation Students will create digital graphics and understand the difference between Bitmaps & Vector Graphics. Students will update the learning Journal – PowerPoint (Bitmap & Vector Graphics skills & knowledge in Year 7 links to coursework in Year 10 and 11) Office Skills: MS PowerPoint Continued Programming: Adobe Fireworks | |
| Programming: Students will be introduced to programming concepts that set up the fundamentals of computing programming in any coding language. Students will have had some coding experience at Primary School using Scratch. The students are introduced to Python using the Python Turtle to create increasing complex shapes and patterns. Office Skills: MS PowerPoint Continued Programming: Python |
Year 8
| Web Design Students will develop a website and the elements that are used to make interactive multimedia sites such as animated graphics. Students will learn to create websites and the elements that are used to make interactive multimedia sites such as graphics and JavaScript. Understanding of the underlying elements of a website will give Students an ability to begin to create their own websites. Students will also learn about online Search Engines and the use of Boolean Logic. (Web design skills & knowledge in Y8 links to coursework at KS4). Office Skills: Microsoft PowerPoint & Publisher Multimedia: Adobe Dreamweaver |
| Spreadsheet Modelling & Web Design & Design Students will learn the basic functions of a spreadsheet and progress onto making their own spreadsheet to solve their own problems. An understanding of spreadsheets and how they are used to model real situations and predict outcomes is useful in many situations in life. Office Skills: Microsoft Excel Multimedia: Microsoft Excel |
| Programming Students will be continue to develop programming skills. Students will start with developing their skills using Python Turtle, but will then explore creating more complex programs solving real life problems. Multimedia: Adobe Dreamweaver Programming: Python |
| Outcomes: · Use spreadsheets to find solutions · Create spreadsheet solutions to real life situations · Create multimedia elements · Experiment with designs and apply design rules · Create simple, logical programs · Create programs to solve real life problems · Understand logical constructs within programs · Use programming techniques to simplify routines |
Year 9
| Digital Imaging Students will complete a digital imaging project that meets the needs of a client. Students will use a wide range of techniques and demonstrate a good understanding of compression techniques and why different file types are used. (Digital Imaging skills & knowledge in Y9 links to coursework at KS4). Office Skills: PowerPoint Multimedia: Adobe Fireworks |
| Web Development and the impact of computers on society – ecological, legal, ethical Students will learn how the use of IT impacts on society as well as the ecology of the planet. An understanding of the legal framework which users must use when copying and using information as well as the ways in which IT is both helping and hindering the planet will allow Students to make informed decisions. Students will continue to develop their web development skills and include some to make interactive multimedia sites such as graphics. video & sound. (Web Development & knowledge in Y9 links to coursework at KS4). Office Skills: Word Multimedia: Adobe Dreamweaver |
| Digital Sound Sequence & Coding in Python Students will Design &create a Digital Sound Sequence using a range of audio sources. Students work to create a text based adventure – using variables, selection and iteration. Students explore how casting can be used to modify data to produce a more reliable program that is less likely to fail following a user input. Office Skills: Microsoft PowerPoint & Publisher Multimedia: Audacity Coding: IDLE: Python |
| Outcomes: · Understand laws relating to computing and IT · Explore how computers affect society · Create digital multimedia elements · Experiment with designs and apply design rules · Develop understanding of Computer Networks and data transfer |