ICT and Computer Science
Welcome to the Kingsmead School Computer Science and ICT Department.
We aim to enable students to develop skills and knowledge in computer science, digital literacy, information technology and media production, in order to prepare them for a future in a world where the use of this technology will be a core part of their personal and working lives. We aim to ensure that they can operate safely in an online world and can make appropriate judgements on selecting the software, sites and technology services that they will use.
Students receive 2 hours of Computing\ICT lessons per fortnight in key stage 3 (years 7 and 8). We spend time exploring a range of topics which provide students with a broad experience of both the use and understanding of technology and computers. These include:
- Online safety and digital life, including moral, ethical and legal decision making
- How computers, networks and the internet works
- Computational thinking, algorithms, flow charting and representing data using binary
- Visual and textual programming from Scratch through to Python
- Digital and interactive media production
- Research into future technologies and impact on society
In key stage 4 we offer two optional routes. The first is an applied ICT and Media qualification where students can explore a range of different media production methods and a chance to learn about the theories behind the ever-developing digital society that we live in. The qualification, which is largely coursework based but with examined modules, looks deeper into the pre-production of media (how it is planned) and the different forms of media that are used in the digital world. This includes video, graphics, sound and websites. The use of day-to-day and specialist software and online services is a core part of the learning.
The other route is to study computer science. This is a specialist, rigorous and academic GCSE qualification that aims to study the inner workings of computer systems and their impact on society. It also studies computational thinking, algorithm design and textual programming. There are 2 written exams for computer science which focus on both the theory and application of programming.
Further to the curriculum offering, the Computer Science and ICT team offer several extra-curricular opportunities for students to engage in, including clubs using our Lego Robotics kits, programming projects and competitions, including the government-backed Cyber Discovery competition on cyber security, and a digital leadership programme where some of our students utilise and promote the use of media across the school or assist with the training and delivery of ICT to staff and students.
Some Photos of our Recent Department Activities

A class using the Micro:Bit computers

The Micro:Bit simulator

Challenge week – preparing a Lego robot program

Challenge week – running the Lego robots

Challenge week – filming a school promo video

Lunchtime robotics club – building a robot

CyberDiscovery UK in action

Challenge week – filming a school promo video
Sequence of Learning in Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 Sequence of Learning |
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
---|---|---|
Project 1 |
IT induction
|
My digital life
|
Project 2 |
Online safety
|
Future technology research project
|
Project 3 |
Introduction to computers
|
Data representation – Computer Science option taster project
|
Project 4 |
Scratch block-based programming
|
Graphic design of a movie poster – ICT iMedia option taster project
|
Project 5 |
|
Design a new app
|
Sequence of Learning in Key Stage 4 Computer Science
Key Stage 4 Sequence of Learning |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
---|---|---|---|
Term 1 (Sept-Oct) |
Induction to Computer Science – fundamentals, recap and extension of data representation |
Topic 1.4 Wired and Wireless Networks Topic 1.5 Network Topologies, protocols and Layers |
Topic 2.5 Translators and Facilities of Languages Topic 2.4 Computational Logic |
Term 2 (Nov-Dec) |
Introduction to programming using Python and the PRIMM method |
Topic 1.6 Systems Security Topic 1.7 Systems Software |
Topic 2.6 Data Representation |
Term 3 (Jan-Feb) |
Extend programming knowledge and constructs |
Topic 1.8 Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental |
‘Buffer’ time and recaps on any weaker topics Revision and exam prep |
Term 4 (Feb-Mar) |
Topic 1.1 Systems Architecture |
Topic 2.1 Algorithms Topic 2.2 Programming techniques |
Revision and preparation for exams |
Term 5 (Apr-May) |
Topic 1.2 Memory |
Topic 2.3 Producing Robust Programs |
Revision and preparation for exams |
Term 6 (Jun-Jul) |
Topic 1.3 Secondary Storage |
Programming project if required for course specification |
|
Sequence of Learning in Key Stage 4 Cambridge Nationals iMedia
Key Stage 4 Sequence of Learning |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
---|---|---|---|
Term 1 (Sept-Oct) |
GCSE ICT Taster Project activity 1 |
Unit R084 Comic Strip |
Unit R081 Pre-Production Skills exam preparation |
Term 2 (Nov-Dec) |
GCSE ICT Taster Project activity 2 |
Unit R084 Comic Strip |
Unit R081 Pre-Production Skills exam preparation |
Term 3 (Jan-Feb) |
Unit R082 Graphics |
Unit R084 Comic Strip |
Unit R085 Website Design |
Term 4 (Feb-Mar) |
Unit R082 Graphics |
Unit R084 Comic Strip |
Unit R085 Website Design |
Term 5 (Apr-May) |
Unit R082 Graphics |
Unit R085 Website Design |
‘Buffer’ time to complete any work, prep for re-entry to the R081 exam if necessary |
Term 6 (Jun-Jul) |
Unit R082 Graphics |
Unit R085 Website Design |
|
Top Websites
For additional learning and revision see these websites:
- For both option subjects – see revision materials, past papers and resources on Firefly and Microsoft Teams
- For Computer Science use https://smartrevise.online/
- For Computer Science use https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z34k7ty
- For Computer Science use https://www.senecalearning.com/
For more information about the key stage 4 options see:
GCSE Computer Science (qualifying up to Summer 2022):
https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j276-from-2016/
GCSE Computer Science (qualifying from Summer 2023 onwards):
https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j277-from-2020/
Cambridge Nationals iMedia (qualifying up to summer 2022):
Cambridge Nationals iMedia (qualifying from summer 2023 onwards):
TBA
ICT & Computer Science Overviews
These are designed to outline the progression of Computer Science and ICT based learning within each year group. They make clear the skills, understanding and knowledge within each category of our language for learning.