Computer Science

Vision and Intent 

We believe that in the evolving world of technology, students deserve a wide and varied computing curriculum that allows them to access and analyse the computing's that make modern technologies and computing possible. It must be rich in key computational thinking skills and theoretical knowledge to prepare them well for future learning at college, university and employment. Computer Science allows access to higher level thinking in regards to technology, science and engineering topics. It provides opportunities for students to understand the sciences behind the technology they use on a daily basis, as well as the positive and negative impacts it can have on their lives and the wider world.

Computer Science will encourage students to:

• understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data    representation 

• analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs

• think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically 

• understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems 

• understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society

• apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science. 

Computer Science at its core is the study of how the computers that run our modern world truly work. Most computer users are the driver, they can use their computers but rarely know truly how it works, while a computer scientist is both the driver and the mechanic, they know its inner workings and what makes everything it does possible. Computer Science is the beginnings of countless careers in STEM, from the humble programmer you can find pathways in Web Design, Game Design, Robotics, Engineering, Architecture, Astrophysics and even Space Travel. Mathematicians and Computer Scientists of the past like Katherine Johnson helped launch the first American into space, while modern day entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla & SpaceX, got their start as a computer scientist. 

Students will apply a range of skills, not just those within computing but they will apply Mathematics, Science and English within their work. They will also learn about the cultural and historical significance of computing on the whole within our culture and the wider community of the world's countries.

To be a Computer Scientist you must have both a limitless level of curiosity to test the limits of what a computer truly is, as well as a boundless level of resilience for programming. 

The Maltings Computing curriculum will enable learners to:

• Develop a computational mindset, allowing students to analyse problems, decompose tasks, abstract unimportant data and identify patterns to find overall solutions.

• Explore the little known areas of of computing and be driven by curiosity to delve deeper into the technologies that power the modern world.

• Be immersed in an educational climate where resilience is championed in an area of education where overcoming misconceptions and mistakes is paramount.

• Have an understanding of the uses and implications of Computing today and for the future in order to build a deeper understanding of the world around them.

• Develop practical programming skills by exploring computational thinking and developing an independence in problem solving.

• Articulate theoretical computing concepts clearly and precisely.

• To accurately read and define computing technical terminology.

• Design programs which understand the mechanics of sequencing, selection and iteration techniques.

Subject Implementation

The pedagogy of computing follows the guides outlined in the national curriculum, exploring areas of programming, hardware, software, networking, data representation & many other computational areas of thinking. A regular application of live demonstrations, model answers and knowledge retrieval builds the high expectations of a good working environment that allows any misconceptions to be addressed.  Programming naturally has an element of problem solving and error checking, so we actively encourage debugging, error checking and being able to fully accept an error and understand where they need to change or improve.   Regular summative assessments at the end of each topic area allows for opportunities to put intervention or challenge strategies in place. 

The implementation of the Computing curriculum includes:

• Make authentic links: seeing connectivity to all areas of learning. 

• Demonstrate a commitment to interleaving computing to build up knowledge over time.

• Have a thirst for knowledge: What is truth? How does what we know to be true change over time?

• Be fully familiar with the syntax and implementation of at least three programming languages.

• Have awareness of the different peripherals and components that make up a variety of computer system and be able to explain their workings and impact on the user. 

• Be able to utilise their understanding of networks and network terminology which shows an understanding of both the local and wide network structure and function.

Subject Impact 

Students will know more, remember more and understand more about the curriculum. Students retain prior-learning and explicitly make connections between what they have previously learned and what they are currently learning. Students will be confident and competent programmers and computer users.  They will have a clear understanding of the different functions and facilities of a range of different software applications. 

A Maltings Academy Computing student will:

• Appreciate the power and potential of computing.

• Be curious and inquisitive about the world; have the necessary skills to enable them to ask pertinent, challenging questions & have the strategies and skills to find ways to answer them.

• Recognise that uncertainty underpins much of computing and be ready to deal with this.

• Recognise that computing is happening everywhere: see the computing in situations and use computing knowledge and skills in their own lives.

• Be fearless about the learning process: recognise that there are things that they do not know (yet) and there are things that nobody knows. 

• Adopt a solution-focused approach to problems and challenges.

• Embrace mistakes that lead to further learning.

• Be open to ideas and ready to explore but able to critically evaluate: critique false theories. 

• Be a critical, analytical and lateral thinker who can make informed decisions about the future.

• Justify decisions based on empirical evidence or philosophy.

Coming Soon!

Year 7 - Curriculum Overview

Year 8 - Curriculum Overview

Year 9 - Curriculum Overview

Year 10 - Curriculum Overview

Year 11 - Curriculum Overview