Computer Science and IT
Computer Science is a subject in high demand within our globally competitive world. It has seamlessly integrated into various aspects of daily life, becoming an indispensable part of our existence.
The Computer Science Department is dedicated to empowering all learners to evolve into responsible digital citizens. We strive to equip them with the skills to effectively navigate the vast array of digital resources available in our modern society.
Our goal is to enhance their knowledge and awareness, enabling them to make informed judgments about the quality and relevance of the information they encounter. The curriculum has been thoughtfully designed to serve a dual purpose:
- Equipping learners with essential knowledge for navigating the digital world safely and responsibly
- Fostering a deep understanding of how technology is continuously evolving into exciting new tools.
It is not merely about teaching students how to use technology effectively; it is about enabling them to comprehend the processes behind its development and redevelopment.
In addition, the curriculum places a strong emphasis on cultivating resilient learners who can learn from their mistakes and effectively solve problems. This focus on resilience sets the stage for a lifelong commitment to learning and self-improvement, preparing students for an ever-changing future.
Key Stage 3 overview
The Key Stage 3 curriculum is a dynamic and comprehensive program that offers students exciting challenges and new experiences in the realms of computing, digital literacy, and digital media.
This curriculum is designed to cater to students with varying levels of prior knowledge in computer usage. Its primary objective is to provide a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and understanding in the fundamental concepts that will be covered at KS4 for those pursuing GCSE Computer Science.
Key Stage 4 overview
Key Stage 4 Students can choose to study GCSE Computer Science or Cambridge National at Key Stage 4. Each of These courses will build on the knowledge, understanding and skills established through the Computer Science elements studied in Year 7 to Year 9.
The course will develop students’ computational thinking skills, building on a sound base of conceptual learning and understanding. The computer science cohort will focus on Python, reinforcing the fundamental programming constructs while maintaining a manageable syntactical layout.
Key Stage 5 overview
Key Stage 5 will build on foundation knowledge gained in previous stages to deepen student knowledge and understanding of computational thinking, programming concepts and problem-solving mechanism, preparing students for employment and further education.
Furthermore, students are encouraged to enter various national competitions, such as game design and development for the Young Game Designers (YGD) BAFTA competition. They also have the chance to compete against other secondary schools in events like CyberFirst and Cyber Centurion. These competitions not only add excitement to the curriculum but also inspire young people to explore careers in cybersecurity.
Faculty members are actively involved with the Harris Garrard primary school and the wider community, collaborating with organizations like Computing at School. This collaboration ensures that the curriculum remains not only achievable but also aligned with the evolving needs of students as they prepare for their future educational and career pathways.
You can download Knowledge Organisers for each year group from our Knowledge Organisers page.
For queries about the ICT and Computing curriculum please contact Christian Yotha-Tchoumi c.yotha@harrisgarrard.org.uk.
Further details of the curriculum can be found below.
Primary Curriculum
Within the context of Harris Garrard Academy, computing is to be taught and celebrated with the use of interactive and challenging lessons to develop responsible, competent and confident learners. We have a diverse demographic who undoubtedly live in a generation where technology largely influences their culture. We wish to prepare them for a world where their future pathways in education and careers will involve computing.
The primary goal we desire for pupils is to develop a real love for technology and become digitally literate in a more tech-savvy generation. We at Harris Garrard Academy, are world changers and can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science. We have a responsibility to have a wider understanding of how technology can be used in various contexts as opposed to just on a singular device.
The direct impact of effective computing lessons is that pupils will use the information they know to then ground this in their own personal experiences. Pupils will understand that computing is a part of their everyday practice; it is not a separate identity. Over time, the aim is for pupils to gradually develop their own passion to create their own content and use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. Pupils will value the technology that we are privileged to have in the 21st century and the important place that it has in our lives.
Mr Abbas, AP & Primary Computing Lead
Year 7
Knowledge |
Assessment |
Skills / Future Pathways |
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E-safety How to become effective digital citizens? Essential for safe use of technology in their digital lives, as they become frequent users of social media and the Internet. |
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Scratch: How do we program a computer? (Block programming) |
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Future learning:
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How do computers work? How do computers talk to each other? Understand the hardware and networking.
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Future learning:
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Computational Thinking This unit is looking at Algorithms in relation to flowcharts and pseudocodes.
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Future learning:
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Searching the web Enable students to be able to search the internet Search for information efficiently |
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Future learning: |
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Year 8
Knowledge |
Assessment |
Skills / Future Pathways |
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E-safety How to become effective digital citizens? Essential for safe use of technology in their digital lives, as they continue to become frequent users of social media and the Internet. |
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Data Modelling and Spreadsheet: Understanding how and why we need to be able to model. Develop skills using spreadsheets to analyse data. Develop skills to support future study, work and life in the modern world |
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Future learning:
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Bits and Binary Why is Binary so important? Understand how images and sound are stored using binary.
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Future learning:
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intro to programming using python |
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Previous learning:
Future learning
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Webpages: Simple intro to text language program. What language are webpages created in? |
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Future learning:
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Year 9
Knowledge |
Assessment |
Skills / Future Pathways |
E-safety How to become effective digital citizens? Essential for safe use of technology in their digital lives, as they continue to become frequent users of social media and the Internet. |
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Future learning:
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Computational Thinking How to use computational thinking to problem solve?
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Future learning:
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Cryptography & Cybersecurity How do we stay safe from hacker? Develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and computational thinking skills. |
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Future learning:
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Programming and Computational Thinking |
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Future learning:
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Databases Develop understanding of Databases |
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Future learning:
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Year 10-11
Knowledge |
Assessment |
Skills / Future Pathways |
Computer System-J277/01
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Future learning/Path:
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Computational thinking, algorithms and Programming - J277/02 |
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Future learning/ Path:
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Year 12-13
Knowledge |
Assessment |
Skills / Future Pathways |
Computer systems (Component 01) |
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Future learning/Path:
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Algorithms and programming (Component 02) |
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Future learning/ Path:
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Careers
This course not only provides a strong academic foundation but also offers practical skills that are valuable in a wide range of professions, including:
- IT Technician
- App Designer
- Network Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Journalist (with a focus on tech reporting)
- Robotics Engineer
- Programmer
- Telemetry Analyst (e.g., in car racing)
- Digital Design and Image Manipulation
- Interface Design
- Web Designer
- Software Development
- Entrepreneur (with tech-based startups)
- GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) Roles
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- Cryptologist