At Key Stage 3, we aim to equip pupils to be able to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. Throughout our curriculum, pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Incorporating individual and collaborative activities empowers students to build on this knowledge and understanding. Pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. We also aim to ensure that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, express themselves via, and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Our curriculum allows students to question, explore, apply and gain knowledge of the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. Throughout the curriculum, students will gain an understanding of how to analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. They will be able to evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems, and they will become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

The Computer Science Specification is below, alongside the curriculum maps.