--- title: "ICT" url: "https://www.st-wilfrids.org/curriculum/subjects/ict" school: "St. Wilfrid's R.C. College, South Shields" --- # ICT ![Computer Science banner](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/images/gallery/curriculum-image/250623St_Wilfrid_RC_School___038-2.jpg) # Computer Science Curriculum Building digital confidence, computational thinking and problem-solving skills ![School logo](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/images/lo.png) ## Why study Computer Science? ### What Computer Science develops - Computational thinking and problem solving - Programming and algorithm design - Digital literacy and online safety - Understanding how computer systems and networks work ### Student voice “Computer Science helps me understand how technology works and gives me the skills to create my own solutions.” - KS3 ICT - KS4 Computer Science Key Stage 3 Computer Science – Cycle Overview Cycle 1 #### Year 7 – Using Computers Safely and Digital Literacy #### Knowledge focus Using Computers Safely and Digital Literacy #### Key skills - Logging onto computer systems - How to e-safe in school and online - Essential skills in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint #### Links to prior learning - New content #### Assessment - Self-assessment each lesson - Peer-assessment SAP1 - End of topic assessment – SAP2 #### Key Vocabulary - Username - Password - Network - Cyberbullying - Phishing - Fonts - Colours - Images #### Year 8 – Understanding Computer Systems #### Knowledge focus Understanding Computer Systems #### Key skills - The different elements of a computer system, including key components - The difference between hardware and software #### Links to prior learning - Cycle 1 #### Assessment - Self-assessment each lesson - Peer-assessment SAP1 - End of topic #### Key Vocabulary - Hardware - Software - CPU - RAM - ROM - Memory #### Year 9 – Scratch Game Development #### Knowledge focus Scratch Game Development #### Key skills - Designing algorithms - Abstraction and decomposition - Designing and creating a game #### Links to prior learning - KS2 Scratch Programming #### Assessment - Self-assessment each lesson - Peer-assessment SAP1 - End of topic #### Key Vocabulary - Variable - Input - Output - Sprite - Movement - Sensing Cycle 2 #### Year 7 – Introduction to Digital Graphics Skills #### Knowledge focus Introduction to Digital Graphics Skills #### Key skills - Image colourisation - Layers - Text masks - Image correction - Zoo Marketing Tool #### Links to prior learning - New content #### Assessment - Self-assessment each lesson - Peer-assessment SAP1 - End of topic #### Key Vocabulary - Layers - Masks - Colourisation - Correction - Graphics #### Year 8 – Introduction to Python Programming #### Knowledge focus Introduction to Python Programming #### Key skills - Python - Input - Output - Variables - Sequence, selection and iteration - Algorithm design and creation #### Links to prior learning - Year 7 – Cycle 3 #### Assessment - Self-assessment each lesson - Peer-assessment SAP1 - End of topic #### Key Vocabulary - Algorithm - Variable - Input - Output - Sequence - Selection - Iteration #### Year 9 – How Computers Work #### Knowledge focus How Computers Work #### Key skills - CPU - Binary - ROM and RAM - Secondary storage - Networked computers - Currys Website Tool #### Links to prior learning - Year 7 – Cycle 2 #### Assessment - Self-assessment each lesson - Peer-assessment SAP1 - End of topic #### Key Vocabulary - Hardware - Software - CPU - RAM - ROM - Memory - Optical - Magnetic - Solid State Cycle 3 #### Year 7 – Python Coding and Computational Thinking #### Knowledge focus Python Coding and Computational Thinking #### Key skills - Advanced Python - Turtle Graphics - Creating algorithms - Drawing shapes on screen #### Links to prior learning - Year 8 Cycle 2 #### Assessment - Self-assessment each lesson - Peer-assessment SAP1 - End of topic #### Key Vocabulary - Algorithm - Variable - Input - Output - Sequence - Selection - Iteration #### Year 8 – Digital Graphics Design #### Knowledge focus Digital Graphics Design #### Key skills - Client brief - Visualisations - Mood boards - Logo analysis and design - Digital Kiosk #### Links to prior learning - Year 8 – Cycle 1 #### Assessment - Self-assessment each lesson - Peer-assessment SAP1 - End of topic #### Key Vocabulary - Client brief - Visualisation - Mood board - Logo - Design #### Year 9 – Modelling and Website Development #### Knowledge focus Modelling and Website Development – Music Festival #### Key skills - Planning digital products - Website development - Applying modelling skills #### Links to prior learning - Earlier KS3 computing and digital design units #### Assessment - Self-assessment each lesson - Peer-assessment SAP1 - End of topic #### Key Vocabulary - Website - Development - Modelling - Design - Planning Key Stage 4 Computer Science – Cycle Overview Cycle 1 #### Year 10 #### Knowledge focus - Boolean Logic - Algorithm Design - Programming Fundamentals - Ethical and Legal - Programming Techniques #### Key skills - Completing truth tables - Creating algorithms using input, variables and outputs - Understanding legal and ethical considerations related to Computer Science #### Links to prior learning - KS2 - Scratch programming in Year 7 - KS3 Python modules in Years 8 and 9 #### Assessment - In lesson assessment practice - Regular topic assessments - Mock assessment #### Key Vocabulary - Mathematical operators - Boolean operators - Data Types - Sequence - Selection - Iteration #### Year 11 #### Knowledge focus - Wired and Wireless Networks - Network Topologies - Network Security - Designing Robust Programs #### Key skills - Creating algorithms to solve problems - Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of using computer networks - Understanding the difference between wired and wireless networks #### Links to prior learning - Year 10 programming skills and topics #### Assessment - In lesson assessment practice - Regular topic assessments - 2x full paper mock assessments #### Key Vocabulary - Star topology - Mesh topology - Partial mesh topology - Standalone - Networked computer Cycle 2 #### Year 10 #### Knowledge focus - Data Storage - Systems Architecture - Memory and Storage - Programming Practice #### Key skills - Creating algorithms - Recall and application of knowledge in exam questions #### Links to prior learning - KS2 Scratch programming in Year 7 - KS3 Python modules in Years 8 and 9 #### Assessment - In lesson assessment practice - Regular topic assessments - Mock assessment #### Key Vocabulary - Data storage - Architecture - Memory - Storage - Programming #### Year 11 #### Knowledge focus - Systems Software - Programming Languages and IDEs - Programming Practice - Final Exam Preparation #### Key skills - Creating algorithms - Recall and application of knowledge in exam questions #### Links to prior learning - Year 10 programming skills and topics #### Assessment - In lesson assessment practice - Regular topic assessments - 2x full paper mock assessments #### Key Vocabulary - System software - IDE - Language - Programming - Preparation Cycle 3 #### Year 10 #### Knowledge focus - Memory and Storage - Programming Practice #### Key skills - Creating algorithms - Recall and application of knowledge in exam questions #### Links to prior learning - KS2 - Scratch programming in Year 7 - KS3 Python modules in Years 8 and 9 #### Assessment - In lesson assessment practice - Regular topic assessments - Mock assessment #### Key Vocabulary - Memory - Storage - Programming - Algorithm #### Year 11 #### Knowledge focus - Final Exam Preparation #### Key skills - Creating algorithms - Recall and application of knowledge in exam questions #### Links to prior learning - Year 10 programming skills and topics #### Assessment - In lesson assessment practice - Regular topic assessments - Mock assessment #### Key Vocabulary - Revision - Algorithm - Programming - Exam technique ![St. Wilfrid's R.C. College, South Shields](https://files.schudio.com/st-wilfrid-s-rc-college-south-shields/images/logo/logo-footer-with-diocese-02(2).png) ### St. Wilfrid's R.C. College, South Shields Temple Park Road South Shields Tyne & Wear NE34 0QA 0191 456 9121 ### Useful Links - [Term Dates](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/term-dates) - [Policies](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/policies) - [SEND Information](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/send) - [Sixth Form](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/sixth-form) - [Website Terms](https://bccet.org.uk/website-terms/) - [Accessibility Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/accessibility-statement/) - [Privacy Notice](https://bccet.org.uk/privacy-policy/) ### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/stwilfridsrccollege) © Copyright 2025–2026 St. Wilfrid's R.C. College, South Shields School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)