St. Mary's

St Mary's logo

ICT & Computer Studies Curriculum Map

"Everybody should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think"

Steve Jobs

Statement of Intent

We’re not here to teach the students how to code; coding is just the tool. What really matters is teaching students to solve problems through the use of ICT. It’s about practising the act of deconstructing their thoughts in a clear and structured way. At the heart of our goal is to develop problem-solving skills and enable students to think through processes in a logical and critical way. This will allow them to develop their programming language knowledge and code their solutions. This is achieved through an ambitious curriculum in ICT and Computer Science, intentionally designed to deliver a high-quality, inclusive education that meets the needs of all students. Our end goal is to underpin all the key ideas and concepts introduced at KS5 throughout each year from 7-11, building on ideas and knowledge learnt, so they are equipped when they leave, with the skills and knowledge needed in an ever-changing digital world. We want our students to leave us as masters of technology and not slaves to it, with informed choices on which platform or software to choose, to be able to create a range of ICT solutions. Our students will leave with the ICT skills to allow them to thrive after school.
Menu

Table of Contents

IT Curriculum Map

Contents

KS2 information

Year 7 Curriculum Map

Digital Safety Online tools, Gmail, Google Docs, St Mary’s Cloud, ICT safety, online laws
Code Breakers Cryptography, Enigma machine, ASCII, computer parts, and pioneers in computing
Shop Project – Branding, spreadsheets, promotional materials, and data collection
Programming Basics – Scratch programming, problem decomposition, loops, selection
Microbit Programming – Micro:bit hardware, LED display, sensors, variables

Grab Bot Robotics
SPIKE Prime hardware, motor control, sensors, sequences

Year 8 Curriculum Map

Programming 1 Algorithms, Scratch basics, flowcharts, sequencing
Vector Graphics Logo design, client briefs, shape manipulation, character design
Computer Systems Hardware/software, CPU, binary, ASCII, file sizes
Augmented Reality AR concepts, Scratch AR games, planning and testing
Pioneers Hedy Lamarr, Tim Berners-Lee, and professional communication
Tappy Tap App App Lab development, GUI, user input, decomposition

Year 9 Curriculum Map

Vectr Graphics Basic tools of Vectr, shape manipulation, and logo design
Photoshop Graphics Photo editing, text effects, and combining images
Spreadsheets Basic and advanced formulae, data analysis, charts
AR Development AR concepts, planning, design principles, Scratch AR
Pioneers Hedy Lamarr, Tim Berners-Lee, and professional communication AR Assessment High-fidelity AR prototype, iterative testing, evaluation
Consolidation & Extension Advanced spreadsheet design, HCI principles, UX/UI

Year 10 Curriculum Map

R070 TA2 – Designing an Augmented Reality (AR) Prototype Understanding client requirements, design principles, planning AR experiences
R070 TA3 – Creating an AR Model Prototype Building a functional high-fidelity prototype, triggers, layers, interactivity
R070 TA4 – Testing & Reviewing the AR Prototype Technical & user testing, iterative improvement, reviewing against brief
R060 Task 1 – Planning a Spreadsheet SolutionTask 2 – Creating the Spreadsheet Solution Interpreting a client brief, HCI design, planning calculations & outputs
R060 Task 2 – Creating the Spreadsheet Solution Task 3 – Testing & Evaluating + Submission Implementing complex formulae, validation, security, charts and automation Comprehensive testing, evaluation against brief, suggesting improvements
R060 – Examboard Coursework Assignment set for students to begin. Task 1 – Planning a Spreadsheet SolutionTask 2 – Creating the Spreadsheet Solution Interpreting a client brief, HCI design, planning calculations & outputs. Implementing complex formulae, validation, security, charts and automation

Year 11 Curriculum Map

R050 – IT in the Digital World (Topics 1–3) Design tools, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Data & Information
R050 – IT in the Digital World (Topics 4–6 + Consolidation) Cyber security, Internet of Everything (IoE), Digital communications, exam technique
R050 – Final Revision & Exam Preparation Targeted intervention, past-paper practice, confidence building
R050 – Final Revision & Exam Preparation Targeted intervention, past-paper practice, confidence building

Summer

R050 –Exam Preparation Targeted intervention, past-paper practice, confidence building

Computer Studies Curriculum Map

Contents

Year 9 Curriculum Map

Programming Concepts (Sequencing) Python basics: print statements, variables, input/output, arithmetic operations
Networks Network devices, LAN/WAN, client-server vs P2P, wired vs wireless
Programming Concepts (Selection) Decision-making in Python: if, elif, else, logical operators
Data Representation Binary, ASCII, Unicode, images, sound, compression
Programming Concepts (Iteration) & Logic Gates Loops (for, while), nested loops, break/continue, AND/OR/NOT gates
Cybersecurity & GDevelop Cyber threats, social engineering, authentication, ethics, and game development basics

Year 10 Curriculum Map

Programming foundations Problem solving, decomposition, basic program structure, user input and output
Selection & iteration Decision making in programs, repetition, flow control
Data structures Organising and storing multiple data items, accessing and updating data
Algorithms Designing efficient step-by-step solutions, comparing algorithms
Systems architecture Understanding how computer systems work internally
Binary & data representation How data is represented, stored and processed in computers

Year 11 Curriculum Map

Networks How computers communicate, network structures and hardware
Network security, ethics & legislation Protecting systems and data, understanding the impacts of computing
Databases Storing, retrieving and managing large data sets
Advanced programming & testing Writing robust programs and ensuring correctness

Summer

Revision & exam preparation Consolidation of the full GCSE specification