Curriculum Intent

It is our intent for the computing element of our school curriculum to engage, inspire, challenge and encourage students to experience a full, broad and ambitious set of learning opportunities linked to the whole school curriculum, the school CHRIST values, KS3 national curriculum & the needs of employers. Our curriculum is intended to be a complex, creative and skilled experience that enables learners to apply theoretical knowledge & practical skills into challenging outcomes.

Our subject allows pupils to develop socially through teamwork & creatively through independent computing projects. We intend that all learners no matter their prior attainment or barriers to learning, access a challenging curriculum that builds them in scaffolded stages towards becoming our next generation of Computer Scientists, through progression onto 6th Form, FE College, University Degrees or Apprenticeships. Excellence within Computing would mean each student leaving Blue Coat with a sound grasp of theoretical and practical coding skills that would enable them to participate in wider society.

Students should be enabled to use the knowledge, skills & understanding beyond school and apply them creatively to a range of problems in the real world. So, students who complete our 7-year curriculum will be:

• Confident programmers in Python, with complimentary skills in SQL, HTML, JavaScript and CSS.
• Capable of explaining the inner workings of a computer.
• Able to explain how computers communicate both wirelessly and using wires.
• Confident in their use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and able to send e-mails with professional etiquette.
• Able to use computers and the internet safely, and advise others on how to do the same.

This will enable all students to living life in all its fullness via developing into competent and confident computer scientists.

Curriculum Documents

Teaching and Learning

In Computing, we deliver an ambitious, inclusive curriculum that ensures all students access the full breadth of content. Our teaching vision focuses on high expectations and embedding the 3Rs: Ready, Respectful, Responsible. Lessons follow the school’s Blue Coat approach; explaining and modeling, do and practice, and using the 4forAll Toolkit: key words/reading, time management, chunking/checking, questioning, and providing appropriate verbal, written and visual feedback. Reading is a key strategy, with staff using “Jump In,” the “3-Second Rule,” and “Echo Reading” techniques to support learning.

How can parents help?

KS3

BBC Bitesize – Link

Teach Computing – Link

GCSE

Isaac Computer Science – Link

Craig ‘n’ Dave – Link

A Level

Isaac Computer Science – Link

Maths and Physics Tutor – Link

Craig ‘n’ Dave – Link

Options

• OCR GCSE Computer Science
• OCR A level Computer Science

Enrichment & Experiences

Extra-curricular activities

• Lego Stem Club – Yr 7/8 – Tuesdays 3:15-4:15pm – B10 – Mr Penn
• Python Coding Club – Yr 8/9/10 – Tuesdays 3:15-4:15pm – B7– Mr Farren
• GCSE CS Intervention – Wednesday’s 3:20-4:20pm – B10 – Mrs Kershaw
• Sixth Form NEA Support – B9/B10 -Wednesday’s/ Thursday’s – Mr Penn / Mrs Kershaw