Computing

Secondary: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4

Curriculum plan 2020-21

1. Curriculum Principles

Coherence and flexibility

The computing curriculum is structured in units. For the units to be coherent, the lessons within them must be
taught in order. However, the curriculum is flexible in terms of the order in which you teach units within a year
group, except for programming, where concepts and skills rely on prior knowledge and experiences.

Knowledge organisation
The curriculum applies to the National Centre for Computing Education’s computing taxonomy. This has been
developed through a review of the KS1-4 computing programme of study, and the GCSE and A Level computer
science specifications, across all awarding bodies. All learning outcomes can be described through a top-level
taxonomy of ten topics, ordered alphabetically as follows:

- Algorithms

- Computer Networks

- Computer Systems

- Creating Media

- Data & Information

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 - Design & Development

- Effective use of tools

- Impact of technology

- Programming

- Safety & Security

The taxonomy categorises and organises content into strands which encapsulate the discipline. Whilst all strands
are present at all phases, they are not always taught explicitly.

Inclusive and ambitious

We want Oak to be able to support all children. Our units will be pitched so that pupils with different starting points
can access them. Our lessons will be sequenced so that each builds on prior learning. Our activities will be scaffolded
so all children can succeed. We use unplugged or real world activities to unpack difficult concepts in computing as
part of a semantic wave of learning. We also use a range of scaffolding approaches when teaching programming,
ranging from copying code, exploring some commands or functions, fixing code with bugs to solving specific
problems with code.

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Application through software
We need pupils to be thinking during their lessons - both to engage with the subject and to strengthen memory of
what is being learnt. Some of our lessons require practical application of concepts and skills on a computer using
appropriate software. We supplement our lessons with guidance on how to use such software to reinforce the
learning from the lesson.

Motivation through learning

We believe that computing is inherently interesting, and seek to motivate pupils through the subject matter. Where
possible, we draw on real world experiences to provide an engaging viewpoint on computing concepts. Every pupil
should have the opportunity to implement their skills and knowledge and ultimately feel a sense of achievement.
We provide opportunities for pupils to be creative and solve problems by building their own programmes and
applications for example.

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2. Subject structure overview

Key stage Unit title Length of unit

KS3 Collaborating Online Respectfully 6 lessons

KS3 Gain support for a cause 6 lessons

KS3 Networks: from semaphores to the Internet 6 lessons

KS3 Spreadsheets 6 lessons

KS3 Programming essentials in Scratch: part I 6 lessons

KS3 Programming essentials in Scratch: part II 6 lessons

KS3 Media: Design Vector Graphics 6 lessons

KS3 Computing systems 6 lessons

KS3 Networks 2 6 lessons

KS3 Representations: from clay to silicon 6 lessons

KS3 Mobile app development 6 lessons

KS3 Intro to Python programming 6 lessons

KS3 3D graphics, animation, video editing 6 lessons

KS3 Data Science 6 lessons

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 KS3 Cybersecurity 6 lessons

KS3 Representations: going audiovisual 6 lessons

KS3 Python programming with sequences of data 6 lessons

KS3 Physical Computing Programming 6 lessons

KS4 Data Representation 12 lessons

KS4 Computer Systems 13 lessons

KS4 Networks 8 lessons

KS4 Security 7 lessons

KS4 Impacts on society 8 lessons

KS4 Algorithms 12-14 lessons

KS4 Programming 50 lessons

KS4 Object-oriented programming 5 lessons

KS4 HTML 6 lessons

KS4 Databases and SQL 5 lessons

KS4 Online Safety 10 lessons

KS4 Project management 10 lessons

KS4 Spreadsheets 6 lessons

KS4 IT and the world of work 6 lessons

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 KS4 Media 6 lessons

Key stage 3

Design Impact
Data and Comput- and Effective of Safety
Algorith- Progra- Informa- ing Creating Develop- use of Technol- and
Unit Name Year ms mming tion Systems Network Media ment tools ogy Security
Networks: from
semaphores to the ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Internet 7
Spreadsheets 7 ✔ ✔ ✔
Programming
essentials in Scratch: ✔ ✔ ✔
part I 7
Programming
essentials in Scratch: ✔ ✔ ✔
part II 7
Impact of Technology -
Collaborating Online ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Respectfully 7
Gaining support for a
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
cause 7
Design Vector Graphics 8 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Computing systems 8 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Networks 2 8 ✔ ✔
Intro to Python
✔ ✔ ✔
programming 8
Mobile app
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
development 8

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Representations: from
✔ ✔
clay to silicon 8
Cybersecurity 9 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Python programming
✔ ✔ ✔
with sequences of data 9
Representations: going
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
audiovisual 9
Data Science 9 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Physical Computing
✔ ✔ ✔
Programming 9
3D graphics, animation,
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
video editing 9

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Key Stage 4
Design Impact
Data and Comput- and Effective of Safety
Algorith- Progra- Informa- ing Creating Develop- use of Technol- and
Unit Name Course ms mming tion Systems Network Media ment tools ogy Security
Data
✔
Representation CS
Computer Systems CS ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Networks CS ✔ ✔
Security CS ✔
Impacts on society CS ✔
Algorithms* CS ✔ ✔
Programming* CS ✔ ✔ ✔
Object-oriented
✔ ✔
programming* CS
HTML* CS ✔ ✔
Databases and
✔ ✔
SQL* CS
Online Safety** Non-CS ✔ ✔
Project
✔ ✔ ✔
management** Non-CS
Spreadsheets** Non-CS ✔ ✔
IT and the world of
✔ ✔ ✔
work** Non-CS
Media** Non-CS ✔ ✔ ✔

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*Under development and will be available from January 2021

** All non-CS units are under development and will be available from November 2020

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3. Suggested sequence

Key Stage 3
Y7 Impact of Gaining Networks: from Spreadsheets Programming Programming
Technology - support for a semaphores to essentials in essentials in
Collaborating cause the Internet Scratch: part I Scratch: part II
Online
Respectfully

Y8 Design Vector Computing Networks 2 Representation Mobile app Intro to Python

Graphics systems s: from clay to development programming
silicon

Y9 3D graphics, Data Science Cybersecurity Representation Python Physical

animation, s: going programming Computing
video editing audiovisual with sequences Programming
of data

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GCSE
GCSE Theory Data Computer Networks Security Impacts
Representation Systems

GCSE Algorithms Programming Databases & SQL HTML (Optional Object Oriented
programming unit) Programming
(Optional unit)

GCSE programming units are under development and will be available from January 2021.

Non GCSE KS4

No suggested order for non GCSE KS4 units, they can be taught independently of each other.

Non GCSE units are under development and will be available from November 2020.

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4. Unit specifics

Key Stage 3
Year 7 Collaborating Media Unit: Networks 1 Spreadsheets Programming 1 Programming 2
Online Gain support for
Respectfully a cause

Lab introduction Word Networks Basic Formulas Scratch Scratch

Responsible Use Processing Internet Basic Functions PRIMM Lists
Cyberbullying Licensing Web Formtating (incl. Form Subroutines
Security Plagiarism Cybersecurity conditional) Assessment Deeper dive
Presentations Source Safety Misconceptions
Credibility Reinforce
Blog Creation Concepts

Year 8 Media Unit Computing Networks 2 Representations Programming 3 Programming 4

Systems 1

E.g. vector Programs Web Representations AppLab Intro to Python

graphics Hardware HTML, CSS Binary Pair
(inkscape) components Search Numbers Programming
Logic Text Product Design
Gentrle overview Units GUI Design
of AI and ML

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 Year 9 Media Unit Data Science Cyber Security Representations Programming 5 Programming 6
2

E.g. animations Global and local GDPR Images Lists and strings Physical
(blender) data sets Social Sounds in Python computing
E.g. video Interrogating, Engineering Manipulation Python on the
editing interpreting and Network micro:bit
visualising data security Project design
following the Malware and
investigative hacking
cycle Brute Force,
DDOS

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Key Stage 4

Theory Data Computer Networks Security Impacts

oriented Representation Systems

Binary, Hex Components Components Vulnerabilities Ethical

Conversions & Ops Architecture Classifications Forms of Attack Legal
Text Storage Protocols Techniques for: Environmental
Images & Sound Software Layers Identification (inc. privacy and
Data Capacity Boolean logic Protection cyber security)
Compression

Algorithms Algorithms Programming Databases & SQL HTML Object Oriented

Programming Programming

Tracing & Exec. Tracing & Exec. Relational Images, links, CSS Classes, Objects,
Representation Prog. constructs databases (DIVS, classes and Attributes,
Searching Data types, structs SQL (Select, Insert, box model) Methods,
Sorting Modularity Update, Delete) Encapsulation,
Efficiency Quality Inheritance,
Comp. Thinking Translators Structured
programming,
Software design

Online Safety Project Spreadsheets IT and the world Media

Management of work

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