Why learn Computing?
We are living in the age of digital technology, things that used to be completed on paper or in person are now done online often remotely. With this in mind learning not only about computers and how they work, but how to use them is an essential skill to learn. Studying computing not only gives you an insight into how computers work, how they think, how programs are made, but how to use them effectively. Studying computing not only opens a whole world of opportunities not only in terms of life skills, but transferable ones to many different career pathways. It can open the door to many careers both in STEM subjects such as computer science and engineering but almost any other career path that involves the use of computers and information technology.
Computing Curriculum Overview
Please click the year group and half-term to view additional information.
| Half Term 1 |
| Knowledge |
| IT Skills |
| E-Safety |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Safe use of the internet |
| How to identify if content is safe/appropriate |
| Effective internet searching |
| Who to contact if in doubt about your online safety |
| Links to prior learning |
| KS1 and KS2 national curriculum |
| Assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 2 |
| Knowledge |
| Micro:Bits |
| Under the Hood |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| How to create a program using a visual programming language |
| The basic concepts and fundamentals of programming |
| The programming constructs: sequence, selection, and iteration |
| Knowing a range of computer hardware and software |
| Knowing the difference between inputs/outputs and processing |
| The purpose of the CPU |
| Links to prior learning |
| KS1 and KS2 national curriculum |
| Assessment |
| Theory test |
| Practical test |
| Half Term 3 |
| Knowledge |
| Under the Hood |
| Multimedia Product |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Converting binary / denary numbers |
| The purpose of storage in computer devices |
| Be able to plan a multimedia product |
| Be able to create a multimedia product |
| Be able to review and test a multimedia product |
| Links to prior learning |
| KS1 and KS2 national curriculum |
| Under the hood of a computer |
| Assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 4 |
| Knowledge |
| Multimedia product |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Be able to plan a multimedia product |
| Be able to create a multimedia product |
| Be able to review and test a multimedia product |
| Links to prior learning |
| Ks1 and ks2 national curriculum |
| I.T. skills |
| Assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 5 |
| Knowledge |
| Python introduction |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| What is python? |
| How do I make programs in python using sequence and selection? |
| What are mathematical and Boolean operators |
| What are data types and why do computers need them? |
| What is maintainability? |
| Links to prior learning |
| KS1 and KS2 national curriculum |
| Under the hood of a computer, micro:bits |
| Assessment |
| Theory test |
| Practical test |
| Half Term 6 |
| Knowledge |
| How the web works |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| The difference between the internet and the world wide web |
| The difference between LAN’S & WAN’S |
| Links to prior learning |
| KS1 and KS2 national curriculum |
| Assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 1 |
| Knowledge |
| Memory & Storage |
| Searching & Sorting Data |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Why does a computer need memory? |
| Why does a computer need different types of memory? |
| Why are some of the different types of memory faster than others? |
| How do computers search and sort data? |
| What are linear and binary search algorithms and how do they work? |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- under the hood of a computer, Micro:bits, small basic |
| Assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 2 |
| Knowledge |
| Searching & sorting data |
| Spreadsheets |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| What are bubble and merge sort algorithms and how do they work? |
| What are spreadsheets and what are they used for? |
| Be able to create spreadsheets using basic and advanced formulas |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- under the hood of a computer, how the web works |
| Assessment |
| End of topic theory test |
| End of topic practical test |
| Half Term 3 |
| Knowledge |
| Video editing |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Be able to plan a multimedia product |
| Be able to create a multimedia product |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- I.T skills |
| Assessment |
| Year 7- I.T skills |
| Half Term 4 |
| Knowledge |
| Video editing |
| Python |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Be able to plan a multimedia product |
| Be able to create a multimedia product |
| How do I make programs in python? |
| Be able to create programs using selection & iteration. |
| How can I make my programs more efficient? |
| How can I make my programs robust? |
| Links to prior learning |
| Ks1 and ks2 national curriculum |
| Year 7- i.t. skills, under the hood of a computer, python introduction, micro:bits |
| Assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 5 |
| Knowledge |
| Networks |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| The difference between LAN’S and WAN’S |
| Knowledge of different types of network hardware and their use |
| Use of different types of networks |
| Understanding of network topologies where and why they are used |
| The purpose of network protocols |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- under the hood of a computer, how the web works |
| Assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 6 |
| Knowledge |
| Binary & Hexadecimal |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Converting binary, denary, and hexadecimal numbers |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- E-safety, how the web works |
| Assessment |
| Mid unit assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 1 |
| Knowledge |
| Ethical, legal, and environmental issues in computing |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| What are some of the ethical, legal, and environmental issues that computers have on society |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- e-safety, how the web works |
| Year 8 - Networks |
| Assessment |
| Theory test |
| Practical test |
| End of unit topic test |
| Half Term 2 |
| Knowledge |
| Digital Graphics |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| What is the purpose & what are the properties of digital graphics. |
| Be able to plan a digital graphic |
| Be able to create a digital graphic |
| Be able to review a digital graphic |
| Links to prior learning |
| All lessons in year 7 & 8 contain aspects of the topic in addition to those specifically named below |
| Year 7- IT skills, multimedia product |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Assessment |
| Theory test |
| Creation of a digital graphic to meet a brief |
| Half Term 3 |
| Knowledge |
| Advanced Python Programming |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Be able to create and use data structures such as lists and arrays |
| Be able to use procedures and functions in python |
| Be able to use file handling when creating programs in python |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- E-safety, microbit, python |
| Year 8 – python |
| Assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 4 |
| Knowledge |
| Image & Sound Representation |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| How do computers represent images? |
| How do computers represent sound? |
| What is compression and what effect does it have on storage. |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- under the hood of a computer, micro:bits, python introduction |
| Year 8 – python recap |
| Assessment |
| End of topic test |
| Half Term 5 |
| Knowledge |
| System Security |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| What are the different threats posed to networks? |
| How can I identify and prevent vulnerabilities in a network |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- e-safety, how the web works |
| Year 8 – networks |
| Year 9 – ethical, legal and environmental issues |
| Assessment |
| Theory test |
| Practical test |
| Half Term 6 |
| Knowledge |
| Multimedia product |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Be able to plan a multimedia product |
| Be able to create a multimedia product |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7 – I.T. skills, multimedia product |
| Year 8 – video editing |
| Year 9 - digital graphics |
| Assessment |
| Multimedia product created |
| Half Term 1 |
| Knowledge |
| R093 creative iMedia in the media industry |
| R093 factors influencing product design |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| The products and job roles within the media sector |
| How style, content and layout are linked to the purpose of the product |
| Client and audience identification |
| Research methods and sourcing information |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia product |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia product |
| Assessment |
| Recall quizzes |
| Mock paper (half term 3) |
| Half Term 2 |
| Knowledge |
| R094 visual identity and digital graphics |
| Revision techniques |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Developing a visual identity- the purpose elements and design of products |
| Planning digital graphics for products |
| Graphic design conventions |
| Properties and use of graphics |
| Topic 1 the media industry |
| Topic 2 factors influencing product design |
| Topic 3 pre-production planning |
| Topic 4 distribution considerations |
| Exam technique |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia product |
| Assessment |
| Recall quizzes |
| Coursework |
| Mock paper (half term 3) |
| Half Term 3 |
| Knowledge |
| R094 visual identity and digital graphics |
| Revision techniques |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Developing a visual identity- the purpose elements and design of products |
| Planning digital graphics for products |
| Graphic design conventions |
| Properties and use of graphics |
| Topic 1 the media industry |
| Topic 2 factors influencing product design |
| Topic 3 pre-production planning |
| Topic 4 distribution considerations |
| Exam technique |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia product |
| Assessment |
| Recall quizzes |
| Coursework |
| Mock paper (half term 3) |
| Half Term 4 |
| Knowledge |
| R094 visual identity and digital graphics |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Developing a visual identity- the purpose elements and design of products |
| Planning digital graphics for products |
| Graphic design conventions |
| Properties and use of graphics |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia product |
| Assessment |
| Recall quizzes |
| Coursework |
| Half Term 5 |
| Knowledge |
| R094 visual identity and digital graphics |
| Revision techniques |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Developing a visual identity- the purpose elements and design of products |
| Planning digital graphics for products |
| Graphic design conventions |
| Properties and use of graphics |
| Topic 1 the media industry |
| Topic 2 factors influencing product design |
| Topic 3 pre-production planning |
| Topic 4 distribution considerations |
| Exam technique |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia product |
| Assessment |
| Recall quizzes |
| Coursework |
| Mock paper 2 (half term 6) |
| Half Term 6 |
| Knowledge |
| Revision techniques |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Topic 1 the media industry |
| Topic 2 factors influencing product design |
| Topic 3 pre-production planning |
| Topic 4 distribution considerations |
| Exam technique |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia products |
| Assessment |
| Recall questions |
| Coursework |
| Mock paper 2 |
| Half Term 1 |
| Knowledge |
| R097 interactive digital media |
| Revision techniques |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Creating different types of assets for use in interactive digital media products such as audio, images and videos |
| File naming conventions |
| Creating an interactive digital media product |
| Techniques used to save and export interactive digital media products |
| Topic 1 the media industry |
| Topic 2 factors influencing product design |
| Topic 3 pre-production planning |
| Topic 4 distribution considerations |
| Exam technique |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8 – video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia products |
| Year 10- R093 the media industry, R094 visual identity and digital graphics |
| Assessment |
| Recall quizzes |
| Coursework |
| Preparation for mock paper 1 (half term 2) |
| Half Term 2 |
| Knowledge |
| R097 interactive digital media |
| Revision techniques |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Creating different types of assets for use in interactive digital media products such as audio, images and videos |
| File naming conventions |
| Creating an interactive digital media product |
| Techniques used to save and export interactive digital media products |
| Testing an interactive digital media product |
| Reviewing an interactive digital media product |
| Topic 1 the media industry |
| Topic 2 factors influencing product design |
| Topic 3 pre-production planning |
| Topic 4 distribution considerations |
| Exam technique |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia products |
| Year 10- R093 the media industry, R094 visual identity and digital graphics |
| Assessment |
| Recall quizzes |
| Coursework |
| Mock paper 1 & preparation for mock paper 2 |
| Half Term 3 |
| Knowledge |
| R097 interactive digital media |
| Revision techniques |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Creating different types of assets for use in interactive digital media products such as audio, images and videos |
| File naming conventions |
| Creating an interactive digital media product |
| Techniques used to save and export interactive digital media products |
| Testing an interactive digital media product |
| Reviewing an interactive digital media product |
| Topic 1 the media industry |
| Topic 2 factors influencing product design |
| Topic 3 pre-production planning |
| Topic 4 distribution considerations |
| Exam technique |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia products |
| Year 10- R093 the media industry, R094 visual identity and digital graphics |
| Assessment |
| Recall quizzes |
| Coursework |
| Mock paper 2 |
| Half Term 4 |
| Knowledge |
| R097 interactive digital media |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Testing an interactive digital media product |
| Reviewing an interactive digital media product |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia products |
| Assessment |
| Recall quizzes |
| Coursework |
| Half Term 5 |
| Knowledge |
| R093 creative imedia in the media industry |
| Revision techniques |
| Skills / application of knowledge |
| Topic 1 the media industry |
| Topic 2 factors influencing product design |
| Topic 3 pre-production planning |
| Topic 4 distribution considerations |
| Exam technique |
| Links to prior learning |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Year 8- video editing |
| Year 9- digital graphic, multimedia products |
| Year 10- R093 the media industry, R094 visual identity and digital graphics |
| Year 7- multimedia products |
| Assessment |
| Recall questions |
| Skills quizzes |
| Past paper |