Our curriculum is designed to allow pupils to learn the fundamentals of computer science and cover both specific areas of the subject; Computer Science and IT. The curriculum will ensure that pupils have an understanding of key computer science concepts, are confident problem solvers and able to independently apply this skillset to a variety of problems both in computing lessons, and their lives. This problem-solving skill set will be developed from day one at Wade Deacon and at the core of our day-to-day teaching. The curriculum will allow these skills to be applied to topics such as data representation, and programming to aid the building of resilience within our pupils and allow their problem-solving skills to be stretched and challenged.
As well as improving the problem-solving skills of our learners, that are so innate to computer science, it is also important that the curriculum will also provide opportunities to allow our pupils to become competent users of IT, including the use of the school IT systems software and hardware. As well as the practical skills of using technology, the curriculum will also provide opportunities to make pupils aware of how to be safe users of technology. The curriculum will ensure that pupils use technology for good, in particular making pupils conscious of their use of social media and the dangers of technology including the reliability of content on the internet. Ultimately this will ensure that pupils are able to consider and actively understand the ethical considerations, environmental and legal impact that their, and the world’s use of technology can lead to, opening up pupil’s eyes to the use of technology beyond the classroom.
Through the study of computing, our students will understand core concepts, such as data representation and algorithmic thinking. Students will be confident logical, problem solvers and use this skill set beyond their computing classroom. Students will also learn how to use technology effectively, to prepare them for later life and have a deeper understanding of the impact of technology on not only our lives, but others. Most importantly, we want to equip students with the skills to be competent, effective users of IT systems to prepare students for their working life beyond Wade Deacon High School.
GCSE Computer Science Learning Journey
KS4 Qualification: OCR Computer Science 9-1
Wade Deacon High School
Birchfield Road
Widnes
WA8 7TD
Tel: 0151 423 2721
Email: school@wadedeacon.co.uk