• Enhance Digital Literacy: Nurture digital literacy skills and foster a love of technology so that students can independently use a range of digital tools to communicate, organise and present information effectively, supporting them as they progress through their academic years and beyond.

• Promote an analytical approach: Students feel happy and safe in lessons, such that they can provide and receive constructive feedback through deep analysis, empowering students to be determined and take the lead in their progress.

• Become computational thinkers and self-managers: Instil confidence and ambition in students to take the lead and aim high in problem solving right through the process from decomposition to testing of the final solution, developing personal organisation skills fundamental for success in future academic or professional settings.

• Celebrate passion: Instil a supportive culture where passion and effort is celebrated so that students feel proud of their accomplishments, strengthening enthusiasm and ambition.

• Imagine the unimaginable: We uphold the highest expectations of all students who are encouraged to dream big, aim high and imagine the unimaginable. High quality teaching and carefully planned, structured support tailored to each student through our Closing the Gaps process enables all students regardless of starting point to achieve their aspirations and goals.

Each year throughout key stage three students study four units - Digital Literacy, Computer Science, Information Technology and E-Safety, this approach ensures students access a suitable balance of each aspect of Computing. Units are sequenced to enable students to build on prior knowledge and are considerate of a best fit approach around the needs of our students. For example, students joining PGS in year 7 will first complete Digital Literacy, ensuring they develop a full understanding of how to access and use school communication systems and Office software products. Students can then take full advantage of this digital tool kit to support them across all their subjects as they transition from Key Stage two and settle into PGS routines. As well as mastering technical ability we foster literacy development through short and extended literacy tasks ensuring students also have strong literacy skills embedded so that they are fully prepared to access and effectively implement key stage four T3 vocabulary.  As students progress through our curriculum and their skills and knowledge develop the focus shifts from building foundations to mastering each aspect of Computing; students are assessed throughout and at the end of each unit using a variety of methods including formal tests, practical work, and home learning. This ensures that we have the best reflection possible of a student’s theoretical understanding and application of practical skills, which is then used to plan next steps and inform progress, particularly as students grow closer to choosing a Computing specialism at KS4.

Our progressive curriculum design at key stage three ensures that students have strong foundations and are well prepared for key stage four where they can choose either AQA GCSE Computer Science or OCR Cambridge National iMedia. Progressing on from key stage four students can continue to develop their passion for either sector at key stage five by opting for OCR A Level Computer Science or OCR A Level Media. For further guidance on the content of our options choices please refer to Careers section.

GCSE Exam Board: OCR Cambridge National iMedia, (2 x coursework projects + 1 exam), AQA GCSE Computer Science (2 x exam)

A-Level Exam Board: OCR A Level Media (2 x exam, 1 x NEA), OCR A Level Computer Science (2 x exam, 1 x NEA)

Throughout key stage three, four and five students will have home learning set online using the platform Educake. Educake can be accessed using any digital device that has access to the internet. Your child will be given personal access details by their teacher. Should they need to reset their password they can do this outside of school using the ‘Forgot password’ link.

The multiple attempt quizzes provide a variety of questions centred around past and current lesson content and are beneficial in further enhancing student’s recall abilities in an accessible and user-friendly format. Outcomes from home learning activities are carefully analysed by the class teacher who will then identify any common misconceptions or gaps in knowledge and adapt their teaching practice to strengthen these areas. This flexible approach and use of data to inform teaching ensures our students know how to improve their knowledge and that their confidence grows when solving similar future problems.

• KS3 - HL is set on average three per term with a minimum expectation of 80% (Y7 & 8), 90% (Y9)

• KS4 - HL is set weekly with a minimum expectation of 80%

Those who achieve 100% in each HL activity set over a term are entered into a prize draw as we celebrate those who consistently go above and beyond - watch out for winners and special mentions in our newsletter!

Our diverse enrichment provision promotes a love of the Computing industry and aims to embrace and develop the interest of all students through competition, teamwork and personal challenge. Our visits to Bletchley Park has given Year 8 and 9 students a deep insight into the world of code braking and roles in the cyber security industry; Lego robotics club encourages our Year 7 students to embrace their inner engineer and problem solving skills to work together as teams to build and program robots which solve real life problems. We work closely with the Yorkshire & Humber Cyber Crime Unit to provide opportunities for students to explore e-safety issues and ensure they have the skills to use technology safely. Independent Learning Projects (ILPs) offer our students a chance to compete in and complete additional projects such as Code Combat which develop their knowledge and practical skills outside of the classroom using fun and easily accessible platforms.

We understand the importance of teaching led by subject experts but also the incredible value of experts with first-hand industry experience. All of our students are taught by Computing specialists in their fields from a range of IT related backgrounds who bring a variety of expertise and passion for their subject to the classroom. This ensures our students have the very best support possible, from inspiration for project ideas, industry related examples for research to advice of career paths and requirements, we aim to ensure all students of Computing go on to achieve or exceed their aspirations within the Computing industry.

There are hundreds of career choices across the Computing industry which appeal to a number of skills and interests, weather a student has a flare for graphics, marketing, film or music or loves to spend hours enthralled in code and the science of computing, there is something for everyone.

Why Computer Science?

Most careers within the Computer Science industry require a good level of understanding of maths as well as strong problem-solving skills, an ability to work as part of a team and of course programming.

Different areas require different specialisms - for example a Pen tester would need to have a good understanding of how networks function, programming techniques, current malware and social engineering methods in order to identify flaws which may be exploited by cyber criminals. A software engineer designing the next Operating System for a new AI aircraft would need to have an interest in computer architecture. To find out more about these careers click on the links, contact our careers department, or discuss with your teacher.

Careers within the Computer Science industry:

Application analyst, Applications developer, Cyber security analyst, Data analyst, Forensic computer analyst, Game designer, Games developer, Machine learning engineer, Penetration tester, Software engineer, Systems analyst, UX designer, Web designer, Web developer, Business analyst, IT sales professional, IT trainer, Nanotechnologist, Network engineer, Telecommunications researcher

What is a career in Media?

Careers in media studies can take you in countless directions. It may be film production, branding, social media content development, advertising and marketing, radio, TV broadcasting and directing, journalism, acting - it is a fast-paced creative world where image, language and representation matter! With Media centres now growing in Manchester and Leeds we are also in a great location for organising work experience.

You need to be adaptive, reflective, energetic and quick thinking, have an interest in why media in its many forms is presented in the way it is - think of TV adverts - they all have hidden messages and references. Every colour, every object, every technical aspect, the language, it has all been a decision made for a reason by the design and development teams.  

You will regularly work with clients to create media products targeted at a specific demographic for a purpose; this could be to educate, inform, promote, influence or entertain. You will develop an understanding of how language can be used to direct an audience so will need to have good observation skills. You will also need to have good project management, organisation and communication skills as projects can be large. Other recommended qualifications which work well alongside Media Studies is English Language and Drama. Find out more about some of the possibilities below by clicking on the links.

Digital marketer, Location manager, Media buyer, Media planner, Media researcher, Public relations officer, Runner, broadcasting/film/video, Social media manager, Television/film/video producer, Television production coordinator, Web content manager,​​​Advertising account, Arts administrator, Broadcast journalist, Editorial assistant, Event manager, Film director, Magazine journalist, Market researcher, Marketing executive, Photographer, UX designer, Writer