Computer Science
Intent
At Alvaston Moor we follow the Archway Learning Trust’s Computer Science and IT curriculum that envelops our three key values throughout our schools and across all key stages:
- Through collaboration of teachers and students to provide a progressive, spiral and modern computer science curriculum that matches the needs of both students and the ever-changing industry – revisiting and building key concepts such as binary, programming and data across all key stages to deepen understanding over time.
- With excellence in the pillars of progression for computer science, information technology and digital literacy to ensure a challenging interleaved curriculum leading to success and further opportunities.
- Founded on inclusion for all with pedagogy and practice to support, build and enable all students in our schools to embrace a technology rich world with confidence.
Our KS3 curriculum will enable students to:
- Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation, building confidence with these ideas across all three years.
- Analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs to solve such problems, progressing from block-based to text-based programming languages.
- Evaluate and apply information technology analytically and creatively to solve problems and produce purposeful digital artefacts.
- Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology, understanding how to stay safe, protect their data and navigate an increasingly connected world.
KS3 Curriculum plan
YEAR 7
Computer Science
- To introduce students to computer-based problems and programming concepts to read, write and evaluate algorithms, whilst building an understanding of computer systems.
Information Technology
- To introduce students to the basics of using a computer in Trust schools and understand how to be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology making effective use of software.
Unit 7.1 – Beginning Computer Science
- Introduction to Academy systems and file organisation
- Creating strong passwords to protect data
- Accessing and using cloud-based technologies to work and communicate, including email
- Effective use of search engines to gather information
- Using word processing software appropriately
Unit 7.2 – Computer Science – Fundamentals
Hardware vs. Software
- Input, Output & Storage Devices (inc. The Cloud)
- Internal vs. External Hardware
- Binary & Denary Number Systems
- Conversions
- Binary Addition
- Units of Storage
Unit 7.3 – e-Safety
- Presentation software skills
- Create digital products for audience and purpose
- Being safe online
- Personal Information
- Cyberbullying
- Digital Footprints
- Reliable Sources
- Screentime
- Presentation software skills
- Create a presentation for audience and purpose
Unit 7.4 – Algorithms
- What is an algorithm
- Identifying the inputs, processes and outputs in algorithms
- Tracing algorithms
- Understand the sequence, selection and iteration programming constructs
- Build and test programs using the above programming constructs through introducing block-based programming through a medium such as Micro:bits.
Unit 7.5 – Programming 1 (Block Based)
- Flowcharts
- Purpose and shapes:
- Start/End
- Input/Output
- Process
- Decision
- Arrow
- Trace and create
- Build and test block-based programs:
- Understand and use variables
- Inputs & Outputs
- Sequence, selection and iteration constructs
Unit 7.6 – Spreadsheets 1
- Spreadsheet software skills
- Key components
- Cell Formatting
- Spreadsheets as models
- Formulae (+ – * /)
- Functions
- SUM
- MIN
- MAX
- AVERAGE
YEAR 8
Computer Science
- To deepen the ability to read, write and create algorithms within programming languages and deepen how computers work with components and number representation.
Information Technology
- To deepen students understanding of online threats and the measures to protect data and build the necessary skills of presenting for audience and purpose.
Unit 8.1 – Programming 2 (Text Based)
- Data Types
- Variables
- Inputs and Outputs
- Decompose problems to algorithms
- Build and test text-based programs using the sequence & selection constructs
- Mathematical and relational operators
Unit 8.2 – Cyber Security
- Threats
- Hacking
- Malware (Virus & Ransomware)
- Denial of Service Attacks
- Social Engineering (Phishing)
- Preventions
- Strong Passwords
- Firewalls
- Anti-malware software
- Two-Factor Authentication
- Word processing skills (Tables, Formatting, Styles & Alignment)
- Create a report/news article for audience and purpose
Unit 8.3 – Memory & Storage
- Memory (ROM & RAM)
- Secondary Storage (HDD, SSD, The Cloud & External Devices)
- Operating System
- The CPU
- Relationships between these components
Unit 8.4 Computer Science 2 – Binary Maths & Logic
- Binary & Denary Number Systems
- Conversions
- Binary Shifts
- Units of Storage
- Logic Gates
- AND, OR & NOT
- Circuits
Unit 8.5 –Digital Graphics
- Digital Graphics software skills
- Shapes
- Layers
- Text & Fonts
- Selection Tools
- Bitmaps vs. Vector Graphics
- Create a product for audience and purpose
Unit 8.6 – App Development
- Understand and use Computational Thinking Skills:
- Decomposition
- Algorithmic Thinking
- Developing an app for a given audience and purpose:
- Design & Layout
- Programming Constructs of sequence, selection and iteration.
YEAR 9
Computer Science
- To progress with algorithm design and programming skills, deepening how computers represent data and how they communicate.
Information Technology
- To build students understanding of both spreadsheet modelling and augmented reality design and creation to progress with creating digital artefacts appropriate for audience and purpose.
Unit 9.1 – Spreadsheets 2
- Build upon the spreadsheet skills developed in Unit 7.5:
- Formulae & Functions (inc. the IF function)
- Formatting (inc. conditional formatting)
- Navigation between sheets
- Creating a spreadsheet for audience and purpose
Unit 9.2 –Programming 3 (Text Based)
- Build upon the Python programming skills developed in Unit 8.2:
- Building and testing programs using the sequence, selection & iteration constructs
- 1D Arrays
- Mathematical and relational operators
- Comparing search algorithms:
- Linear Search
- Binary Search
Unit 9.3 – The Connected World
- Wired & Wireless Networks
- LAN’s & WAN’s
- Network Hardware
- Methods of connectivity
- 4G / 5G
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
Unit 9.4 – Data Representation
- Number Systems
- Binary & Denary
- Hexadecimal
- Data Representation
- Text (Character Sets)
- Bitmap Images
- Calculating File Sizes
Unit 9.5 – Computational Thinking
- Computational Thinking:
- Abstraction
- Decomposition
- Design Tools:
- Mind Maps
- Visualisation Diagrams
- Flowcharts
- Project based assignment(s) utilising the above and considering:
- Audience & Purpose
- Use of a range of Software
Unit 9.6 – HTML
- Features of a webpage
- Web authoring software
- Use of HTML tags
- Use of HTML tables
- Use of HTML headers and paragraphs
- Use of HTML images
- Appropriate file management and organisation
Assessment at KS3
Ongoing assessment through assignment work during the unit, formative feedback through questioning and mini whiteboards, and automatically marked online tasks. Summative assessment via end of module tests and assignments
Key Stage 4 Computing
We hope to offer OCR GCSE Computing soon inline with the other schools in the Archway Academy Trust – 558027-specification-gcse-computer-science-j277.pdf
Business
AQA GCSE Business Curriculum Intent
Business is a new subject for students and we hope that it will enthuse them about the world of business, its significance to society and the role they play as consumers.
Students will learn about the different types of business that can be set up in the real world and the importance of providing what their customers want. They will learn about the importance of issues such as managing their supplies, identifying if a profit has been made, getting the best out of their workers and how the outside world affects a business. Students apply their knowledge and understanding to different business contexts ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national and global contexts.
Through studying Business students will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact on business behaviour and decision making. Students will apply their knowledge and understanding to business decision making including:
- the interdependent nature of business activity, influences on business, business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, and how these interdependencies underpin business decision making
- how different business contexts affect business decisions
- the use and limitation of quantitative and qualitative data in making business decisions.
The specification requires students to draw on the knowledge and understanding to:
- use business terminology to identify and explain business activity
- apply business concepts to familiar and unfamiliar contexts
- develop problem solving and decision making skills relevant to business • investigate, analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues
- make justified decisions using both qualitative and quantitative data including its selection, interpretation, analysis and evaluation, and the application of appropriate quantitative skills.
This is a new subject to KS4 students so whilst there is no prior academic learning to draw on, there is much to draw on from students’ own experiences as consumers and citizens.
How will I be assessed?
GCSE Business is assessed by two exams at the end of year 11.
What will you study?
Year 10
Business in the Real World – Students explore what businesses are, why they exist, how they are structured, and the challenges they face. They learn about: – Different types of businesses – Business aims and objectives – Enterprise and entrepreneurship – How location, planning, and legal structures affect success
Influences on Business – This topic focuses on how external factors shape business decisions. Students examine: – Technology and its impact – Ethical and environmental considerations – Economic changes – Competitive pressures and stakeholder influences
Human Resources – HR teaches students about the people side of business—how employees are recruited, trained, motivated, and managed. Topics include: – Recruitment and selection – Training and development – Motivation theories – Employment law and workplace rights
Year 11
Business Operations – Students learn how products and services are produced efficiently and to a high standard. This includes: – Methods of production – Quality assurance and control – Managing stock and suppliers
Marketing – A highlight of the course, marketing covers how businesses understand customers and promote products. Students study: – Market research – The marketing mix (4Ps) – Product life cycle and branding – Pricing and promotional strategies
Finance – Students gain practical financial understanding, including: – Costs, revenue, and profit – Cash flow forecasting – Break-even analysis – Sources of finance for businesses
Careers Information / Next Steps
Marketing manager, Accountant, Financial Advisor, Entrepreneur, Business Management etc