Content to be studied

Method of assessment

Half-term 1

Digital Skills

Pupils will learn digital literacy skills, developing skills in word processing, presentation and email software. They will experience efficient ways of using each software, including advanced skills, and complete a final project incorporating all their new knowledge.

Lesson worksheets

Practical tasks

Final project

Half-term 2

Binary Bits and Bobs

Pupils will be introduced to the binary numbering system and how various forms of data, such as text, images and sounds, are represented within a computer. The unit will cover the principles of binary arithmetic, the conversion between binary and other number systems, and the methods by which digital devices encode and store different types of information.

Self and teacher marking throughout the series of lessons.

Final summative topic test

Half-term 3

Introduction to Coding

Farmbot is a gamified introduction to coding. It is a friendly learning environment in which code is used to control a Farming Robot. Code moves the robot around the screen planting, harvesting and shipping crops. Deliberately highly visual, it’s easy to spot any mistakes. Students will begin by filling in missing blocks of scaffolded code, before progressing to typing code and being mindful of syntax while writing algorithms from scratch.

Self and teacher marking throughout the series of lessons.

Practical tasks

Half-term 4

Careers: Women in Computing

Pupils are introduced to a diverse range of women in computing, past and present, and helps challenge any misconceptions about the women who choose this career path. Pupils are encouraged to think about the contribution that women can bring to computing and reasons why in the UK less than 20% of the people working in computing today are women.

Research project

Python Programming

This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of programming using Python, developing their confidence in writing, testing and debugging simple programs.  Students will learn how to use inputs and outputs, store and manipulate data with variables and apply casting to work with different data types.  They will also explore selection to make decisions in their programs, as well as iteration to repeat code.

Practical lesson tasks

Half-term 5

Spreadsheet Modelling

Students are introduced to the essential features and functions of spreadsheets, developing their confidence in organising, analysing and presenting data.  Students will learn how to enter and format data, use cell references, and create simple formulas and functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, MIN and MAX. By the end of the unit, students will be able to create accurate, well-formatted spreadsheets to solve simple problems and support decision making.

Summative assessment quizzes and final assessed spreadsheet project

Half-term 6

Computer Systems & Artificial Intelligence

In this unit, students will revisit key computing terminology and understand AI is an advanced piece of software and how the technology creates ‘human-like’ responses.  They will learn about ethical issues related to AI, and discuss if in the future AI devices could be considered ‘human’, looking with consideration to religious and societal views on the topic. They will also consider the impact AI has on the environment and careers.

Worksheets and summative assessment quizzes

Online Safety

• Using and managing passwords effectively.
• Protecting devices and accounts.
• Managing and reporting suspicious contact and content.

Self and teacher marking throughout the series of lessons.