Why do we learn computing?
Our approach
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10

Why do we learn computing?

The Computing curriculum at Acton is both broad and ambitious. It prepares our students for the wider professional world through the teaching of modules such as e-safety and spreadsheets. The curriculum also covers more specialised units such as coding languages, animation, and data science. The huge breadth of the curriculum opens doors for our students, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to access the next stages in their computing careers.

Our approach

In line with the whole-school approach, the curriculum is based on the latest research in cognitive science. It is knowledge rich and carefully sequenced. Lessons have been designed so that students can see the role computing plays in their day-to-day life and its connections with other subjects. In our lessons you will regularly see students referring to their knowledge and will hear students talking about the links computing has with subjects such as PSHCE and maths.

Units of work will be a mix of theoretical knowledge – to ensure students comprehend the key requirements of the curriculum – as well as practical sessions (coding via Scratch, animations, etc.) that will allow students to demonstrate their learning. Students will be assessed at the end of each unit of work as well presenting their work during lessons.

Year 7

Autumn

Networks through time

  • Collaborating Online Respectfully

  • Networks and Systems: From Semaphores to the Internet
Spring

Programming simple processes 

  • Programming Essentials
Summer

Modelling Data

  • Modelling data: Spreadsheets

All Year 7 subjects Next Year 7 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 8

Autumn

Designing vector graphics

  • Media- Vector Graphics

Computer components & Programming simple processes

  • Computing Systems
Spring

Web development

  • Developing media for the web
Summer

Using the language of code: Python

  • Introduction to Python Programming

All Year 8 subjects Next Year 8 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 9

Autumn

Animations & Programming simple processes

  • Media - Animations
Spring

Cybersecurity

  • Developing media for the web
Summer

Computer components

  • Physical Computing

All Year 9 subjects Next Year 9 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 10

Autumn

Understand how changes in technology affect safety, including new ways to protect their online privacy and identity, and how to identify and report a range of concerns
Spring

Develop their capability, creativity and knowledge in computer science, digital media and information technology
Summer

Develop and apply their analytic, problem-solving, design, and computational thinking skills

All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages