Curriculum vision:

Computing education equips students with the skills to use technology effectively and fosters essential abilities like problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability. It prepares them for a tech-driven world by helping them understand and learn new tools and systems. Computing also connects with other subjects, like maths and science, enhancing interdisciplinary learning. Including it in schools helps bridge the digital divide, ensuring all students have access to crucial skills.

Computing supports community-building and ethical reflection, encouraging students to use technology responsibly and with integrity, promoting unity and shared purpose in the digital age.

How is Computer Science taught at SJBC?

The curriculum follows a spiral structure across three years:

• Year 7: Build confidence, introduce core concepts, and develop good digital habits.
• Year 8: Strengthen foundational knowledge and begin transitioning to text-based programming.
• Year 9: Focus on GCSE content, deepen programming skills, and encourage critical thinking.

Teaching approaches include:

• Worked examples & live coding to model problem-solving.
• Pair programming for collaboration and confidence.
• PRIMM to scaffold programming learning.
• Project-based learning to apply skills creatively.
• Formative assessment and retrieval practice to reinforce understanding.
• Growth mindset to promote resilience in coding.
• Real-world contexts to show relevance and inspire students.

The goal is to develop both technical skills and the mindset to apply them meaningfully and adaptively.

What homework will students do in Computer Science?

KS3: We often set Seneca homework but will also incorporate homework that includes research tasks and revision before exams using knowledge organisers.

GCSE: Year 10 Homework Students will have homework sheets assigned on Teams that are directly linked to the classwork. These will often be exam style questions but may involve research tasks.

Year 11: We use “smart revise” to set assignment on learning keywords, self-quizzing and also self-marking practice exam questions. This is a powerful tool proven to boost grades.

How are wider skills – e.g. literacy, oracy, numeracy and independent research – delivered through Computer Science?

Oracy ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Pair Programming & Debugging: Verbal reasoning and teamwork during coding tasks. Think-Pair-Share: Structured peer discussions before tackling new concepts. Ethical Debates: Class discussions on tech's societal impact, promoting respectful dialogue. Vocabulary Focus: Explicit use of technical terms encouraged in all spoken tasks.

Literacy

• Code & Documentation Reading: Understanding structure, logic
• Problem Interpretation: Breaking down complex questions using reading strategies. Code Comments: Writing clear annotations to explain code.
• Written Tasks: Regular explanations of concepts and algorithms. Scaffolded with sentence starters. Knowledge Organisers: Support vocabulary and factual knowledge. Diagrams/Flowcharts: Building visual and logical literacy.

Research Skills

• Debugging Practice: Teaching effective online search and source evaluation. Topic Exploration: Research on components, software, and new tech. Ethical Case Studies: Critical examination of real-world issues in computing.