Computing

Curriculum Plan – Computing

Intent: Inspire young people to solve the problems we haven’t thought of yet

Key Stage 3	Content	Skills
Year 7 Theme: Basic IT and Introduction to Block Programming	eSafety Block programming – Code.org Data Representation Microbit Block Programming Blogging – MS Sway Scratch Block Programming	Soft Digital skills and safety Using common Software tools MS Office Problem Solving Critical Thinking Computational and Algorithmic design Practical programming using block language and physical devices
Year 8 Theme: Business and Enterprise	Computer Systems Spreadsheets Analysis and Design Introduction to Python Programming – Text Mobile App Design Personal Finance Social, Moral and Legal Computing concepts	Moving from block to text programming Creativity and design Business acumen
Year 9 Theme: Creative Design and Production	Introduction to Business Planning Audio Editing Advanced Python Programming Web Design – Business Marketing Cybersecurity Concerns Graphic Design - Photoshop	Creative software use Design principles Problem analysis Reviewing of success to a criterion
Key Stage 4 – GCSE Exam Board OCR Computer Science J277
Year 10 Theme: Computer Systems	Paper 1 1.1 Systems architecture 1.2 Memory and storage 1.3 Computer networks, connections, and protocols 1.4 Network security 1.5 Systems software 1.6 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology	Problem Solving Analysis and Design Critical Design Core Computer Science Principles: Abstraction Decomposition Patterns Algorithms Evaluation Skills
Year 11 Theme: Computational Thinking	Paper 2 2.1 Algorithms 2.2 Programming fundamentals 2.3 Producing robust programs 2.4 Boolean logic 2.5 Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments	Skills are taught and embedded across both years, there is also some crossover of programming content in Y10 to build confidence and knowledge

For more information regarding the Computing Curriculum please contact the Head of Department via our contact form

Curriculum Plan – Computing KS3
Intent: The intent of the KS3 Computing curriculum at Burton Borough School is to provide students with a broad and balanced education that develops their computational thinking and digital literacy skills. Our aim is to foster a curiosity for technology and encourage students to become creative and critical thinkers who can use computational concepts and tools to solve real-world problems.
Year 7	Subject Content	Homework and Assessments	Subject Skills and 21^st Century Soft Skills
AUTUMN TERM 1	Intro to Computing and eSafety
Lesson 1	Introduction to school Network
Lesson 2	Security and Health and Safety in IT room
Lesson 3	Using basic Office365 apps	Email to Teacher
Lesson 4	Planning Effective Presentation		Creativity, Collaboration
Lesson 5	Using effective images to present information
Lesson 6	Presentation of Cyberbullying	Cyberbullying Presentation (Groups)	Communication, Collaboration
Lesson 7	Who are you talking to Online?	End of Unit MS Forms Quiz	Citizenship, Communication
HALF TERM
AUTUMN TERM 2	Block Coding – Code.org
Lesson 1	Introduction to Block Based Coding
Lesson 2	Sequencing – Algorithms		Critical Thinking, Growth Mindset
Lesson 3	Pattern Recognition and Looping
Lesson 4	Practical use of Iteration and Looping	Progress of Coding Activities on Code.org
Lesson 5	Understanding Selection to choose a path, using Flowcharts
Lesson 6	Applying Selection to Programs	Progress of Coding Activities on Code.org
Lesson 7	End of unit Assessment	Summative MS Forms Review
CHRISTMAS
SPRING TERM 1	Data Representation
Lesson 1	How are numbers represented in Binary		Critical Thinking
Lesson 2	Adding Binary Numbers
Lesson 3	Hexadecimal Conversion	Midpoint Binary MS Forms Quiz	Growth Mindset
Lesson 4	How computers store Text – Character Sets
Lesson 5	How Images and sound is stored as Binary		Creativity
Lesson 6	End of unit Assessment	Summative MS Forms Review
HALF TERM
SPRING TERM 2	Microbit Programming – Block Coding
Lesson 1	Introduction to Microbit		Critical Thinking
Lesson 2	Using Variables and Random – Coin Flip Game
Lesson 3	Creating a Compass – Using Logic and Boolean	Midpoint MS Forms Review	Creativity, Critical Thinking
Lesson 4	Refining the Compass to increase accuracy
Lesson 5	Coin Collector Game using Sensors		Creativity, Collaboration
Lesson 6	Testing and Refinement of Coin game	Summative MS Forms Review
EASTER
SUMMER TERM 1	Blogging Project – MS Sway
Lesson 1	Features of a Word Processor
Lesson 2	Using Appropriate images	MS Forms Review – Retrieval	Creativity
Lesson 3	Credibility of Sources and Information – Fake News		Growth Mindset
Lesson 4	Effective research techniques – information for Blog
Lesson 5	Introduction to Microsoft Sway Software		Communication
Lesson 6	Refinement of Blog Content and Review	Presentation of Blog, End of unit MS Forms Review
HALF TERM
SUMMER TERM 2	Scratch Programming – Block based Coding
Lesson 1	Intro to Scratch - Sprites and Movement		Critical Thinking
Lesson 2	Using Variables to create and control objects – Plan game	Game idea, layout, and structure plan
Lesson 3	Creating Flowcharts to map out a game mechanic	Assess completed Flowcharts	Communication
Lesson 4	Create Scratch Project and create sprites		Creativity
Lesson 5	Create basic code to control sprites		Growth Mindset
Lesson 6	Develop logic code for game functionality
Lesson 7	Test plans and review	Final Game and Evaluation

Curriculum Plan – Computing
Intent: The intent of the Computing curriculum at Burton Borough School is to provide students with a broad and balanced education that develops their computational thinking and digital literacy skills. Our aim is to foster a curiosity for technology and encourage students to become creative and critical thinkers who are able to use computational concepts and tools to solve real-world problems.
Year 8	Subject Content	Homework and Assessments	Subject Skills and 21^st Century Soft Skills
AUTUMN TERM 1	Computer Hardware and Software
Lesson 1	Computer systems and the Central Processing Unit		Knowledge of Computer components and their use How the CPU is central to everything How Computers communicate with each other Critical thinking – understanding how all components work together.
Lesson 2	CPU Performance Characteristics	Short MS forms review quiz
Lesson 3	Operating Systems
Lesson 4	Utility Software and Applications	Short MS forms review quiz
Lesson 5	How computers communicate – Types of Network
Lesson 6	How computers communicate – Network Hardware
Lesson 7	End of unit Assessment	Extended MS forms quiz
HALF TERM
AUTUMN TERM 2	Analysing Spreadsheets and Data
Lesson 1	Introduction to Data processing		Understand Rows, Columns and cells to display basic data Using formula to automate data processing Analysing data using graphs Communication – Showing information in a useful way Critical Thinking – Analysing information to make decisions
Lesson 2	Basic MS Excel skills
Lesson 3	Using formula tools and functions to create speed up data analysis
Lesson 4	Using formatting tools to create data Dashboards	Assess completed Spreadsheet
Lesson 5	Creating and Interpreting Graphs and charts 1
Lesson 6	Creating and Interpreting Graphs and charts 1	Assess completed charts for accuracy
Lesson 7	End of Unit Assessment	Extended MS Forms Knowledge review
CHRISTMAS
SPRING TERM 1	*Programming with Python*		Basic skills in text based programming Use of key programming concepts to create working solutions to problems Critical Thinking – using knowledge to analyse a problem and create working coded solutions
Lesson 1	Python basics – Inputs and Outputs
Lesson 2	Use of Numbers and Operators
Lesson 3	Simple Maths and Data Types	MS Forms Quiz
Lesson 4	Using Selection to create options
Lesson 5	Repeating code with While Loops
Lesson 6	Using Random Number generators	Extended MS Forms Assessment
HALF TERM
SPRING TERM 2	Mobile App Design		Exploring why some apps become really popular Consider function as well as design choices in apps Plan and build prototypes for interactive products Creativity – coming up with ideas and designs for potentially popular apps and creating working prototypes
Lesson 1	Exploring Apps
Lesson 2	Planning an App idea	Assess Mobile App Plan
Lesson 3	Sketching out initial interface ideas
Lesson 4	Icons and Design Themes
Lesson 5	Creating an App Prototype
Lesson 6	Adding Animation and Interaction	Assessment of Final Mobile App
EASTER
SUMMER TERM 1	Managing Personal Finance with Technology		Have a working knowledge of how to manage your finances How loans and borrowing works, and the problems it can create Having responsibility for budgeting and making the most of your money Growth Mindset – Understanding the pressures of managing money, and how to apply useful strategies to assist
Lesson 1	Savings and Interest
Lesson 2	The cost of Borrowing
Lesson 3	Personal Budgets Part 1	Ms Forms Quiz
Lesson 4	Personal Budgets Part 2
Lesson 5	Understanding Money and Investment
Lesson 6	Final Unit Assessment	Final Assessment MS Forms
HALF TERM
SUMMER TERM 2	Information Systems and Society		What impact has technology and computing of all kinds had on the world, via Social, Legal and environment impacts Presenting information in a coherent way Critical Thinking – Understanding that not all technology impacts are good, but being able to weigh it up into a balanced argument. Communication – using an online Blog to present finding on a research project in to the Environmental Impacts
Lesson 1	Impact of Technology
Lesson 2	Environmental Impacts of Computing
Lesson 3	Create MS Sway on Environmental Impacts	Assessed Online Sway
Lesson 4	Plagiarism and Copyright
Lesson 5	Ethics of AI – Research Project
Lesson 6	Ethics of AI – Presentation
Lesson 7	Final Assessment	Extended MS Forms Quiz

Curriculum Plan – Computing KS3
Intent: The intent of the KS3 Computing curriculum at Burton Borough School is to provide students with a broad and balanced education that develops their computational thinking and digital literacy skills. Our aim is to foster a curiosity for technology and encourage students to become creative and critical thinkers who are able to use computational concepts and tools to solve real-world problems.
Year 9	Subject Content	Homework and Assessments	Subject Skills and 21^st Century Soft Skills
AUTUMN TERM 1	Introduction to Business		Understanding how business Ideas are generated. How marketing is used to promote products/services Financial Management Collaboration through working together to create business ideas. Creativity when making Promotional resources. Communication skill of presenting the idea to a group
Lesson 1	Understand what an entrepreneur is?
Lesson 2	Developing a Business Idea – Target Market
Lesson 3	Developing a Business Idea – Promotional Techniques	Assess Business Ideas
Lesson 4	Business Finance -Revenue and Costs
Lesson 5	Promotional Materials – Creative use of computers in Promotion	Assess Promotional Materials
Lesson 6	Logos and Branding
Lesson 7	The Pitch – Dragons Den Business Pitch	Peer Review of Presentations
HALF TERM
AUTUMN TERM 2	Algorithms and Programming Python
Lesson 1	Inputs and Outputs – Using Variables		Solving problems computationally Creating an efficient solutions using programming code Critical thinking is embedded through creating a computer-based solution to a problem. Growth Mindset allows students to become more resilient and find solutions to problems and not give up
Lesson 2	Writing programs for a Purpose – Data Types and Maths
Lesson 3	Creating a Program using Selection	MS Forms Knowledge Review
Lesson 4	Mapping Flowcharts to Code	Grading of Completed Programs
Lesson 5	Using Iteration to repeat outcomes – FOR LOOPS
Lesson 6	Using Iteration to repeat outcomes – WHILE LOOPS
Lesson 7	End of Unit Assessment	Extended MS Forms Assessment
CHRISTMAS
SPRING TERM 1	Digital Graphics - Adobe Photoshop – Papa Sitos Restaurant Rebrand
Lesson 1	The Purpose of Digital Graphics Design		Use industry standard photo editing software. Use design techniques to generate ideas. Creativity is widely used in the creation of digital graphics to meet a client criterion
Lesson 2	Using Mind maps generate project idea
Lesson 3	Creating a Mood Board to set themes	Review of Mind Map and Mood board
Lesson 4	Intro to Photoshop – Creating a Logo
Lesson 5	Making a Digital Menu using Photoshop – Layout and Colours
Lesson 6	Adding Layers and additional effects	Marked Review of Digital Menu
HALF TERM
SPRING TERM 2	Audio Creation and Editing - Audacity
Lesson 1	Exploring existing Audio Adverts		Understand sequencing. Using industry standard audio software Creativity is widely used in the creation of digital graphics to meet a client criterion
Lesson 2	Using Audacity to arrange Sound clips along a timeline
Lesson 3	Design a Radio Advert linked to Unit 1 Business idea
Lesson 4	Create a Work plan showing structure of Audio Clip	Review of Workplan
Lesson 5	Record audio clips for narration
Lesson 6	Compose and Arrange Radio Advert	Marked Review of Finished Advert
EASTER
SUMMER TERM 1	Cybersecurity and Safe Internet Use
Lesson 1	You and your Data – What do people know about you?		How to spot attempts to steal/delete data Understand how to protect yourself from harm on the internet. Growth Mindset is applied through understanding how data is important, and how it can be used for harm
Lesson 2	Social Engineering – How to stop being fooled by Data Thieves
Lesson 3	Methods of Attack – How Hackers steal and damage data
Lesson 4	Protecting Data and Computers from attack
Lesson 5	Using MS Sway to present information
Lesson 6	End of Unit Assessment	Extended MS Forms Assessment
HALF TERM
SUMMER TERM 2	Website Design and Creation in RocketCake
Lesson 1	Comparing design features of existing websites		Using a client brief to inform our choices of design. Using creative techniques to generate ideas. Creativity is mapped through the use of industry software to create an engaging website. Communication skills are important to effectively show the information for the website
Lesson 2	Planning layout and design features of a website
Lesson 3	Understand HTML basic code and how it underpins websites	MS Form Knowledge Review
Lesson 4	Introduction to Web Authoring Software – Rocketcake
Lesson 5	Creating a basic theme and structure to a website
Lesson 6	Adding interactive elements to websites
Lesson 7	Review and improvements to website	Review marking of Final Website

Curriculum Plan – Computer Science
Intent: The intent of the Computing curriculum at Burton Borough School is to provide students with a broad and balanced education that develops their computational thinking and digital literacy skills. Our aim is to foster a curiosity for technology and encourage students to become creative and critical thinkers who are able to use computational concepts and tools to solve real-world problems.
Year 10	Subject Content	Homework and Assessments	Subject Skills and 21^st Century Soft Skills
SUMMER TERM 1	1.5 - Systems Software		Critical Thinking skills gained though having an understanding on the purpose of computer software and how it works with Hardware
Lesson 1	SLR 1.5 – Lesson 1, The purpose and functionality of operating systems Why does your computer need an operating system?	1.5 Operating systems part 1	Know the purpose and functionality of operating systems. Know the different types of user interface and understand the features of each.
Lesson 2	Independent Programming Practical		Creative Thinking – Practicing Programming skills
Lesson 3	SLR 1.5 – Lesson 2, Operating systems part 1 How does a computer manage having lots of programs open and running at the same time?	1.5 Operating systems part 2	Know what is meant by the term multi-tasking. Understand how the OS manages the memory.
Lesson 4	Independent Programming Practical		Creative Thinking – Practicing Programming skills
Lesson 5	SLR 1.5 – Lesson 3, Operating systems part 2 What features does an operating system give users?	1.5 Utility system software	Understand what is meant by the term user management. Understand how the operating system manages files.
Lesson 6	SLR 1.5 – Lesson 4, Utility system software What is the purpose of utility software?	Revise for EOU Assessment	Understand encryption utilities. Understand defragmentation utilities. Understand data compression utilities
Lesson 7	SLR 1.5 – End-of-topic test	End of Unit Assessment – OCR Exam Questions - Exambuilder
HALF TERM
SUMMER TERM 2	1.6 - Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns		Growth Mindset and Citizenship Skills – Understanding how Technology has had an impact on many areas of society in many ways
Lesson 1	SLR 1.6 – Lesson 1, Ethical issues, Privacy issues What are the ethical issues of computing? What privacy issues does computing cause?	1.6 Privacy issues 1.6 Legislation relevant to computer science	Understand at least one ethical issue of computer technology. Understand at least one issue related to privacy and computer technologies.
Lesson 2	Independent Programming Practical		Creative Thinking – Practicing Programming skills
Lesson 3	SLR 1.6 – Lesson 2, Legal issues, Cultural Issues What does the legislation for computing prohibit? How does computing impact on people?	1.6 Cultural implications of computer science 1.6 Environmental impact of computer science	Know the principles of the Acts of Parliament: Data Protection Act 2018 Computer Misuse Act 1990 Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 Understand some of the key cultural issues of computer science: The impact of technology on our daily lives. The ‘digital divide’. Globalisation.
Lesson 4	Independent Programming Practical		Creative Thinking – Practicing Programming skills
Lesson 5	SLR 1.6 – Lesson 3, Environmental issues, how digital technology impacts society What is the environmental impact of computing? How can digital technology have an impact on society at a local, national, and international level?	1.6 Environmental impact of computer science 1.6 Impacts of digital technology on wider society	Understand the environmental impact of computers in terms of: Manufacturing Use Disposal Understand at least one scenario of the impact of computer science. Know how to identify key stakeholders.
Lesson 6	SLR 1.6 – Lesson 4, Open source vs proprietary software What recommendations would you give to someone considering software for their PC?	1.6 Open source vs proprietary software Revise for EOU Assessment	Know the difference between open source and proprietary software. Understand the implications of using open source and proprietary software.
Lesson 7	SLR 1.6 – End-of-topic test	End of Unit Assessment – OCR Exam Questions - Exambuilder

Curriculum Plan – Computer Science – OCR J277
Intent: The intent of the Computing curriculum at Burton Borough School is to provide students with a broad and balanced education that develops their computational thinking and digital literacy skills. Our aim is to foster a curiosity for technology and encourage students to become creative and critical thinkers who are able to use computational concepts and tools to solve real-world problems.
Year 11	Subject Content	Homework and Assessments	Subject Skills and 21^st Century Soft Skills
AUTUMN TERM 1	2.2 Programming Fundamentals
Week 1	Basic programming constructs What terms are associated with programming?	2.2 The common arithmetic and comparison operators 2.2 The common Boolean operators 2.2 The use of data types and casting 2.2 The use of basic string manipulation	Know what is meant by the following key terms: Variables Constants Input Output Assignment Know the 3 basic programming constructs.
Week 2	Data types, operators, and string manipulation Why are numbers sometimes stored as strings?	2.2 The use of basic file handling operations	Know the different variable data types. Understand the need for casting. Know the arithmetic operators. Know the Boolean operators. Know the comparison operators. Understand how to use computer-related mathematic operators. Understand basic string manipulation commands
Week 3	File handling What are the steps to using data files with programs?	2.2 The use of records to store data 2.2 The use of SQL to search for data	Understand how to use basic file handling operations: Open files Read from files Write to files Close files
Week 4	Records and SQL How is SQL used to search for data?	2.2 The use of arrays 2.2 How to use sub-programs	Understand the term ‘record’. Understand the SQL commands: SELECT FROM WHERE (including the Boolean operators) LIKE Know the purpose of nested SELECTs.
Week 5	Arrays and sub-problems What does a two-dimensional array or list mean? Why are sub-programs used?	2.2 Random number generation	Understand how an array or list can be used to store data. Understand that arrays can be one- or two-dimensional. Understand that programs can be structured using procedures and functions. Understand that parameters can be passed and returned from functions. Understand that variables can be global or local.
Week 6	Random number generation In what sort of problems might we need to generate a random number or sequence of random numbers?	Revise and prep for EOU assessment on Topic 2.2	Understand how to use random number generation.
Week 7	SLR 2.2 EOU Assessment	End of Unit Assessment – OCR Exam Questions
HALF TERM
AUTUMN TERM 2	2.1 Algorithms
Week 1	Abstraction What are the principles of computational thinking?	2.1 Abstraction	Know what is meant by the term ‘abstraction’. Know some examples of abstraction.
Week 2	Decomposition and structure diagrams What is the purpose of decomposition, and how can producing structure diagrams help?	2.1 Inputs, processes and outputs 2.1 Algorithmic thinking	Know what is meant by problem decomposition. Know the advantages of decomposition when applied to programming. Know an example of problem decomposition. Know how to produce a structure diagram to aid in decomposing a problem
Week 3	Algorithmic thinking What do we mean by “thinking algorithmically”?	2.1 Linear search 2.1 Binary search	Understand how to solve computational problems by applying algorithmic thinking.
Week 4	Searching Algorithms How does a linear search work? How does a Binary search work?	2.1 Bubble sort 2.1 Merge sort 2.1 Insertion sort	Understand the linear search algorithm. Understand it is not an efficient algorithm, but it is easier to program than alternatives and does not require the items to be in any order Understand the binary search algorithm. Know the special condition of the list of items for the binary search to work. Understand which searching algorithm is quicker.
Week 5	Sorting Algorithms How does a bubble, merge and insertion sort work?	2.1 How to produce algorithms using pseudocode and flow diagrams	Understand the bubble sort algorithm. Understand the merge sort algorithm. Understand the insertion sort algorithm.
Week 6	How to produce algorithms How can algorithms be described without ambiguity? What is a flowchart and Pseudocode?	2.1 Trace tables	Know the flow diagram symbols. Know that flow diagrams are also called flowcharts. Know how to make a flow diagram. Understand how to construct a program from a flow diagram. Know what is meant by the term pseudocode. Understand how to write pseudocode. Understand the OCR reference language.
Week 7	Trace tables and solving errors What are the different types of errors that can occur when programming? How and why do programmers use a trace table?	Revise for EOU Assessment	Know what a trace table is. Understand how and why trace tables can be useful for debugging. Know how to complete a trace table. Know what a syntax error is. Know what a logic error is. Know how identify simple syntax and logic errors in high-level code and the OCR reference language. Be able to suggest code fixes by spotting syntax and logic errors.
CHRISTMAS
SPRING TERM 1	2.3 Producing Robust Programs
Week 1	Input validation What issues should a programmer consider to ensure a program caters for all likely input values?	2.3 Defensive design considerations part 1 2.3 Defensive design considerations part 2	Know what is meant by the term “defensive design considerations” when writing programs. Understand why input validation is necessary. Know a range of validation techniques that can be used to write a robust program.
Week 2	Defensive design consideration	2.3 Maintainability 2.3 Refining algorithms to make them more robust	Know what is meant by the term “defensive design considerations” when writing programs. Know a range of potential problems that can occur when a program is running, especially if it requires communication to servers, peripherals, data in files and arithmetic. Understand some authentication techniques a programmer may choose to use to protect their program from misuse.
Week 3	Maintainability and refining algorithms What does code maintainability mean?	2.3 The purpose and types of testing 2.3 How to identify syntax and logic errors	Know why creating easy to read code is important with large projects. Understand what programmers can do to make their code more readable. Understand how to refine algorithms to make them more robust.
Week 4	Types of testing and errors What are the different types of errors that can occur in a program?	2.3 Suitable test data	Know four reasons why a program should be tested. Know what iterative testing is. Know what final/terminal testing is. Know what a syntax error is. Know what a logic error is.
Week 5	Suitable test data What makes a good testing strategy?	Revise for EOU Assessment	Understand that because a program works, it doesn’t mean it works for all inputs. Understand that suitable test data for a program needs to include: Normal data Boundary data Invalid data Erroneous data
Week 6	SLR 2.3 EOU Assessment	End of Unit Assessment – OCR Exam Questions
HALF TERM
SPRING TERM 2	2.5 Programming Languages and IDE
Week 1	Simple logic diagrams What are the symbols used in logic diagrams?	2.4 Simple logic diagrams	Know how to make simple logic diagrams from Boolean expressions using AND, OR, NOT.
Week 2	Applying logic operators and truth tables to solve problems How do you complete a truth table?	2.4 Truth tables 2.4 Combining Boolean operators	Understand how to complete truth tables from one- and two-level logic diagrams.
Week 3	Create, complete or edit logic diagrams and truth tables How do you create logic diagrams from truth tables?	2.4 Applying logical operators in truth tables	Understand how to create, complete or edit logic diagrams and truth tables for given scenarios.
Week 4	Exam Preparation and Revision
Week 5	Exam Preparation and Revision
Week 6	Exam Preparation and Revision
EASTER
SUMMER TERM 1	Exam Preparation and Revision
Week 1	Exam Preparation and Revision
Week 2	Exam Preparation and Revision
Week 3	Exam Preparation and Revision
Week 4	Exam Preparation and Revision
Week 5	Exam Preparation and Revision
Week 6	Exam Preparation and Revision

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Curriculum Plan – Computing