Curriculum
Our aim is to provide students with an engaging Computing curriculum which develops all of their ICT, Computer Science and Digital Literacy capabilities. This includes developing skills in spreadsheet, database, video editing, photo editing and text and block-based coding software programs to allow for these skills to be used in the Digital World. Students learn to become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of ICT. Students also learn to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, analyse problems using computational and algorithmic thinking and write programs to solve specific problems.
In Year 7 and 8, aspects of computer science are covered within the L4L curriculum.
Year 7 L4L Themes:
- Silent Movies
- Growing
- iRobot
Year 8 L4L Themes:
- Grand Designs
- Please Sir
For example, in the Silent Movie theme students learn to design, create, edit and test audio/moving images products. In the iRobot theme students learn to apply their algorithmic and computational logic skills to design, create and test programs using a block coding programming language. In the Water theme students learn about the various sources of information and the reliability and validity of these sources when creating a Charity Advert.
In Year 9 students complete discrete Computing units of work within their L4L lessons as well as covering aspects of computing within the America theme.
At Key Stage 4 we offer both ICT and Computer Science courses. Students have the opportunity to complete a BTEC in Creative Media Production or the GCSE in Computer Science.
The department also supports the enrichment timetable at lunchtimes and after school by providing access to ICT facilities for students to use in an educational manner.
The GCSE in Computer Science is a fun and challenging qualification that will enable you 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.
The qualification consists of two units of work. Two units are externally assessed through a written exam taken at the end of Year 11.
The units of work comprise of the following:
- Component 1 – Computer Systems – 90 minute exam (50%)
- Component 2 – Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming – 190 minute exam (50%)
Component 1 – Computer Systems
You will study the following:
- Systems Architecture
- Memory
- Storage
- Wired and wireless networks
- Network topologies, protocols and layers
- System security
- System software
- Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns
Component 2 – Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming
You will study the following:
- Algorithms
- Programming techniques
- Producing robust programs
- Computational logic
- Translators and facilities of languages
- Data representation
Students must also create a program using a high level programming language following the software development lifecycle.
For further information see Mrs J Sihota, Head of ICT.
Mrs J Sihota
I have a BSC (Hons) Computer Science (Multimedia Technology) degree and a MA in Creative and Critical Practice in Educational Settings Master’s degree. I started teaching in 2003 and have been teaching at Thorns since 2011.
