Department: Computing

Curriculum Intention:   

At Huish Episcopi Academy, our aim is to prepare students for industry and the wider world by providing them with a first-class education in Computing.  We want to our students to be creators of technology – not just consumers.  We want them to have the skills and knowledge to be able to adapt and embrace new technology as it emerges.  Computer Science sits at the core of Computing, and teaches the principles of information and computation and how digital systems work.  This knowledge is put to use through programming and using information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.  Computing ensures that pupils become digitally literate and are able to express themselves and develop their ideas through using information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Curriculum Implementation:

• KS3: 
  • Wherever possible, we take a “hands on” approach to lessons.  For units involving coding, such as Scratch in Year 7, Python and web design, students use an online platform called REPL to complete a series of practical tasks.  This enables them to easily track their own progress and to keep their work organised. Theory lessons typically involve completing research tasks and answering questions. All lessons use Google Classroom as the main platform for delivery.
• KS4:
  • GCSE Computer Science: We teach the OCR GCSE Computer Science specification (J277 https://www.cr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j277-from-2020/).  Lessons involve a combination of theory and practical tasks, retrieval tasks and ongoing revision.
  • Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia: Lessons are taught according the latest specification: https://www.cr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/creative-imedia-level-1-2-j834/.  Lessns typically involve research, discussion, retrieval and revision tasks as well as practical activities for the controlled assessment elements.
• KS5:      
  • A Level Computer Science.  We follow the AQA A Level course: https://www.aqa.rg.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/as-and-a-level/computer-science-7516-7517.  Lessons typically involve practical programming tasks, theory and research activities.

Monitoring and assessing curriculum impact:

• KS3:
  • Units are assessed by a combination of project work, and end of unit tests.  Students are given opportunities to resit the tests where appropriate.
• KS4:
  • GCSE Computer Science: The GCSE course is comprised of 11 units.  At the end of each unit, students are assessed by completing an assessment task made up entirely from past examination questions on that topic.  The results from the end of unit tests are used to generate a predicted grade for the course.  Students are given opportunities to re-sit the tests and make improvements to their work in order to improve their predicted grades. The final assessment for the course is two 1.5-hour examinations sat at the end of Year 11.
  • Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia: For theory units, students are taught each unit and given end-of-unit tests created from past exam questions on that topic. For controlled-assessments, students are monitored on an ongoing basis for completion of the tasks.  We share the assessment criteria and discuss what makes a good piece of work in order to inspire students to complete the work to the best of their abilities.
• KS5:
  • A Level Computer Science: This course is assessed in a similar way to the GCSE course – through ongoing assessment of the theory topics and end-of-unit tests.  We use the results from the tests to inform students of their progress in the course, generate a current predicted grade and to help direct them to areas on which to focus their revision.  The non-examined assessment is assessed on an ongoing basis through verbal and written feedback where appropriate.

• BTEC Level 3 in IT: For theory units, students are given end-of-unit tests similar to the A Level and GCSE courses.  For the practical assessment in databases, students are taught the technical skills required and then complete a series of past examination tasks and given a mark for their responses.  Controlled assessment units are assessed in line with the BTEC assessment guidance.