“Whether you want to uncover the secrets of the universe, or you want to pursue a career in the 21st century, basic computer programming is an essential skill to learn.”
Steven Hawking
At Trentham Academy, we aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to further their knowledge and enhance skills that will equip them for an ever changing digital world. Knowledge and understanding of IT is of increasing importance for children’s futures both at home and for employment. Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology and meeting the needs of the KS3 programme of study. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during students time in school to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed. Our intention is that Computing also supports students creativity and cross curricular learning to engage them and enrich their academy experience.
Our curriculum is designed to allow students to learn the fundamentals of computer science and cover both specific areas of the subject; Computer Science and IT. The curriculum ensures that students have an understanding of key computer science concepts, are confident problem solvers and able to independently apply this skillset to a variety of problems both in computing lessons, and their lives. This problem-solving skill set will be developed from day one at Trentham Academy and at the core of our day-to-day teaching. The curriculum will allow these skills to be applied to topics such as data representation, and programming to aid the building of resilience within our students and allow their problem-solving skills to be stretched and challenged.
As well as improving the problem-solving skills of our learners, that are so innate to computer science, the curriculum also provides opportunities to allow our students to become competent users of IT, including the use of the school IT systems software and hardware. As well as the practical skills of using technology, the curriculum also provides opportunities to make students aware of how to be safe users of technology. The curriculum ensures that students use technology for good, in particular making them conscious of their use of social media and the dangers of technology including the reliability of content on the internet. Ultimately, this will ensure that students are able to consider and actively understand the ethical considerations, environmental and legal impact that their, and the world’s use of technology can lead to, opening up student’s eyes to the use of technology beyond the classroom.
Topics covered include:
E-Safety
Introduction to computer systems
Networking
Data representation
Introduction to problem solving & programming
Impact of technology
Programming using a Microbit
Software
Producing robust programs
Where can Computer Science take me?
IT Department
Mr K Jones
Specification Links
