Computing

Curriculum Intent

Our Computing curriculum is designed to equip students with the digital literacy, computational thinking, and creative skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving technological world. Across Key Stage 3, our intent is to build confident, responsible, and capable digital citizens who can navigate the digital landscape ethically, safely, and creatively.

In Year 7: Digital Citizens
We introduce students to the foundational principles of responsible and safe use of technology. Through this unit, students develop an understanding of digital footprints, online safety, cyberbullying, and data protection. The focus is on fostering critical awareness of how digital behaviour affects personal and societal well-being — laying the groundwork for ethical computing practice.

In Year 8: Mission Compute
Students explore the core concepts of computer science and begin to apply computational thinking to real-world scenarios. This unit encourages problem-solving, logic, and creativity through practical programming challenges, often using block-based and text-based programming languages. Students learn how computers work, develop algorithms, and begin creating purposeful code — deepening their understanding of computer systems and programming.

In Year 9: Nineth Issue
The focus shifts toward creative digital media production. Students use Photopea, an industry-standard online image editor, to develop their skills in digital design and manipulation. This unit enables students to explore layout, composition, layers, and file formats — blending creativity with technical precision. It also introduces them to concepts of copyright, image ethics, and media literacy, reinforcing their digital citizenship in a more applied context.