At Key Stage 3 students undertake a variety of tasks to teach them about Computer Science and Information Communication Technology. Computing teaches students about computational thinking, programming and how digital systems work; Computing has deep links with Mathematics, Science, and Design and Technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. ICT allows students to become confident users of software packages.

Whilst some units will teach students specifically about the software, ICT is also embedded in each unit as students use a variety of packages to complete their work.  Students are also taught how to use Microsoft Teams and SharePoint which will enable them to access resources, their work and enable them to work collaboratively with their peers.  The topics and tasks fall into the following strands: Computer Science, Information Communication Technology and Digital Literacy.  

Digital Literacy ensures students understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct and know how to report concerns.  Not only do these link with the Computer Science and Creative iMedia courses at Key Stage 4, they also teach pupils how to select the most appropriate digital content.  Units are carefully sequenced to allow for continued development of core skills and concepts, with a progression to gradually build on student’s depth of understanding and complexity of skills learned.  

The units are arranged into Computing and ICT to ensure that the subjects appeal to the interest of all students.  Should they decide not to continue with Computer Science or Creative iMedia at KS4, they will leave with the knowledge and understanding of how digital systems work, how to apply problem solving skills to a range of situations and prepare them with lifelong transferable skills for the workplace and the digital world they live in.