Notre Dame Catholic College
and Sixth Form

The 'Web', as I envisaged it, we have not seen yet. The future is still so much bigger than the past.

– Tim Berners-Lee

Computing

Our computing curriculum provides pupils with an introduction to the essential computing knowledge that they need to be educated, rounded and communicative citizens. It introduces students to the best that has been thought and said; and helps engender an appreciation of human imagination, creativity and achievement.

Mrs E Shaw

Mrs E Shaw

Head of Computing

Our computing curriculum is carefully designed and delivered to:

  • inspire pupils – as pioneers of the future and;
  • to nurture a love of our subject.

As technology pervades every aspect of our lives, our society needs computing specialists who are passionate individuals to develop computing in every type of industry.

In practice, this means that pupils will see the wider picture and to relate their learning to the real world and possible career paths. They will become digitally literate, and digitally resilient.

 

Year 7, 8 and 9 Curriculum Content

The framework for the Key Stage 3 computing curriculum is shaped by 4 fundamental strands or themes.

  1. Computers
  2. Data
  3. Internet & Communications
  4. Algorithms & Programming

The sequence of units below has been carefully selected to ensure students:

  • understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computing.
  • acquire this knowledge by learning key concepts and terminology, by analysing problems in computational terms, and through repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve problems.
  • learn to evaluate and apply information technology (including emerging technologies) and will become competent and creative users of it – in both personal and professional contexts.
Year 7Unit/Topic
Autumn HT1Unit 1: Computers - Computer Hardware
Autumn HT2Unit 2: Data - Data Representation Binary & Denary
Spring HT1Unit 3: Internet and Communications – Network Types and Topologies
Spring HT2Unit 4: Internet and Communications – E-Safety Cyberbullying
Summer HT1Unit 5: Algorithms & Coding – Scratch & Python
Summer HT2Unit 6: Algorithms & Coding – Scratch & Python

Year 7 Computing Curriculum Map

Year 8Unit/Topic
Autumn HT1Unit 3: Internet and Communications – Network Threats and Solutions
Autumn HT2Unit 3 Internet and Communications – E-Safety Data Security
Spring HT1Unit 4: Algorithms & Programming - Algorithms & Coding – Python
Spring HT2Unit 4: Algorithms & Programming - Algorithms & Coding – Python
Summer HT1Unit 1: Computers – Inside the CPU
Summer HT2Unit 2: Data – Data Representation Hexadecimal and Character

Year 8 Computing Curriculum Map

Year 9Unit/Topic
Autumn HT1Unit 3: Internet and Communications – Network Packet Switching and Protocols
Autumn HT2Unit 3: Internet and Communications – E-Safety Social Media & Radicalisation
Spring HT1Unit 4: Algorithms & Programming - Algorithms & Coding – Advanced Python
Spring HT2Unit 4: Algorithms & Programming - Algorithms & Coding – Advanced Python
Summer HT1Unit 1: Computers – Network Hardware
Summer HT2Unit 2: Data – Data Representation Images, Compression and Sound

Year 9 Computing Curriculum Map

Year 10 and 11 Curriculum Content

At Key Stage 4, students follow either the OCR GCSE in Computer Science or the OCR Cambridge National in Creative iMedia. Both qualifications build on the learning from Key Stage 3 and both have future level 3 learning pathways both in our own Sixth Form College at Notre Dame and other FE providers. Both courses are two-year programmes of study and both are examined at the end of Year 11.

Computer Science

Year 10 Unit/Topic
Autumn HT1Understand the components that make up digital systems and how they communicate with each other
Autumn HT2Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of data representation using mathematics skills
Spring HT1Understand how digital systems communicate with each
Spring HT2Understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society / Understand how software supports components communicate with each other
Summer HT1Understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society
Summer HT2Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of abstraction, decomposition and algorithms

Year 10 Computer Science Curriculum Map

Year 11Unit/Topic
Autumn HT1Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of abstraction, decomposition and algorithms
Autumn HT2Analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs
Spring HT1Analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs
Spring HT2Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of: programming languages and IDEs
SummerPreparation for Summer exam

Year 11 Computer Science Curriculum Map

OCR Cambridge National in Creative iMedia

Year 10 Unit/Topic
Autumn HT1Understand the purpose, content and use of pre-production documents / Understand the purpose and properties of digital graphics
Autumn HT2Understand how to use planning tools before beginning pre-production / Understand the purpose and properties of digital graphics
Spring HT1Produce pre-production documents / Plan the creation of a digital graphic
Spring HT2Review a pre-production document / Plan the creation of a digital graphic
Summer HT1Revise R081 unit in preparation for the summer exam / Create and save a digital graphic
Summer HT2Review a digital graphic / Understand the uses and properties of interactive multimedia products

Year 10 iMedia Curriculum Map

Year 11Unit/Topic
Autumn HT1Create and save a digital graphic / Review the digital graphic
Autumn HT2Plan a multi page comic strip / produce a multi page comic strip
Spring HT1Review a multi page comic strip / Understand the uses and properties of interactive multimedia products
Spring HT2Plan an interactive multimedia product
SummerCreate interactive multimedia product / Review interactive multimedia product

Year 11 iMedia Curriculum Map

Sixth Form Curriculum Content

Sixth Form Curriculum Map

Key Stage 4 Computing students follow the OCR Computer Science specification or the OCR Creative iMedia specification. For further details, please follow the links below.

Download the OCR Computer Science specification

Download the OCR Creative iMedia specification

Key Stage 5 computing students follow the OCR Cambridge Technical in IT. For further details, please follow the link below.

Download the OCR Cambridge Technical in IT Specification

Please click on the logos below to visit Computing-specific materials and resources.

  • BBC Bitesize KS3: 
  • BBC Bitesize KS4:
  • Oak National Academy:

 

Please click on the First Careers logo to visit their website.

A Student’s View

Studying IT at A Level gave me the confidence boost to continue my studies onto university.  I could not have done this without the support of the computing department. 
 

Harriet
Former Notre Dame student, now employed as an IT Technician