Curriculum Intent
Computer Science builds problem-solving, linguistic and numerical skills and trains students to think logically and empathise with the way others think. Students learn about how computers are physically built, ways in which they can be physically optimised, how they are configured to solve problems and ways communication takes place between networked devices as well as how to code in multiple programming languages and environments.
Curriculum Features
In Computer Science lessons students will be taught how to dispassionately dissect problems which are not only immediate / imminent but also those which affect wider society. They will develop a keen understanding and build empathy for others as they study how computing positively and negatively impinges on the individual, societal cohesion and the environment. It also creates new areas of discussion such as the use of drones during international conflict.
Co-curriculum Enrichment
It is the department’s avowed intention to build resilience, increase engagement in challenging activities, confidence when discussing controversial topics and increase students’ rigour in peer assessing written work as well as increasing their use of practical mathematical and logical operations.
There are common links between other subjects such as Ethics in RE, Environmental awareness in Geography, the use of algorithms in Technology and Mathematics.
Overview
We are a very skilled and friendly department and are always willing to give our time to help our students succeed and achieve their best. We are focused on providing all its students with a set of skills and knowledge required for them to be successful in this digital multimedia age. We are constantly reviewing and adapting are materials to keep up with the pace of the ever-changing world of computing and digital mobile devices. We help students to develop skills and tools which they can transfer throughout their educational and working lives.
All students get their own computer during their Computing lessons at both Key stages and have access to the latest Microsoft and programming development software, which can also be accessed from home.
All lessons are taught by skilled and experienced staff. All students receive at least one lesson of computing per week increasing to 3 per fortnight in Year 9 then 6 per fortnight for those choosing Interactive Media and / or Computer Science at Key Stage 4.
Key Stage 3
Computers and mobile devices are key part of every student’s life both inside and outside school. Here at Werneth we are making sure that our students are fully skilled and prepared for the successfully application of these with their learning journeys with us.
At Key Stage 3 all students experience a wide range of topics, based on improving knowledge, skills and understanding in both Computer Science and Interactive Media. We cater for all levels of students.
In Year 7 students are introduced to our network and systems and are taught all the basic skills they need to allow them to fully utilise the resources through their subsequent years at Werneth. They also cover Hardware and Software, Computer Networks, Computational Thinking and Web design using HTML
In Year 8 are students are introduced to deeper computing concepts including web interaction using JavaScript, Modelling with Spreadsheets and Digital Calculations using Python.
In Year 9 are students choose between Interactive Media where they learn how to make apps without text-based coding and Computer Science where they learn how to program using Python.
Key Stage 4: GCSE Computer Science
Computer Science covers all the skills and knowledge outlined by the DfES for a highly competent Computer Scientist. The newly accredited Computer Science course has been designed to provide students with the latest skills and knowledge to go on and study any of the computer disciplines at college and university. This course covers all the required topics including; hardware, software, problem solving, computational thinking, algorithms, networks & the internet and programming.