Computer Science

Vision

Colchester’s Academy vision is to nurture students offering all a learning experience and curriculum that is broad, balanced and relevant. We believe that it should engage and challenge students, enable each of them to fulfil their individual potential and equip them with the requisite knowledge, vocabulary, and meta cognitive skills required in an ever-changing and increasingly demanding world. 

We live in a world where Computing is an integral part of our daily lives. Our energy at Colchester Academy comes from our passion to ensure we build a culture of computational thinking, critical thinking, problem solving and creativity so that students have the best outcomes to thrive and become successful members of a digital society.

Our curriculum is planned and sequenced to ensure our students are progressing year on year and getting the flavour of topics in GCSE as they progress through to :

• utilises Rosenhine’s Principles of Instruction through our teaching pedagogy.
• use and apply key vocabulary in each topic.
• use retrieval practice to build upon prior knowledge and develop students' long term memory.
• use questioning and modelling to extensively teach new concepts and develop cognitive skills. 
• Scaffolding will be used to support students on complicated tasks, coupling with stretch and challenges as they develop confidence in every lesson.
• Use opportunities throughout KS3 and 4 to develop their extended writing skills. 

Our Key Stage 3 Computing curriculum aims to develop students as computational thinkers, digitally literate communicators, and creative users of technology. It integrates Computer Science, Business IT, Media, and digital literacy to equip students with diverse skills applicable across subjects and beyond school. The curriculum maps to the National Curriculum and introduces new concepts, preparing students for GCSEs and fostering broad knowledge in Computer Science and design. Students undertake creative projects, combining applications to achieve challenging goals, including collecting and analysing data and meeting the needs of known users. They learn to create, re-use, revise and re-purpose digital artefacts for a given audience, with attention to trustworthiness, design and usability. The curriculum also emphasises safe, respectful, responsible and secure use online, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct and know how to report concerns.

Key Stage 4

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum focuses on two distinct areas of Computer Science; algorithms & programming and the principles of Computer Science. The two areas in the curriculum are blended together to create a practical subject, to encourage computational thinkers who can apply learning in the classroom to real-word systems. The curriculum is mapped to the GCSE specification, with a constant focus on retrieval practice to allow students to fully master more complex computer science principles. 

Useful Links

Specifications

Digital IT 

Key Stage 4

This course equips you with vital, applied skills for the digital sector, covering project planning, comprehensive data management, interpretation, presentation, and crucial data protection. You'll also explore user interfaces, effective digital working (including cybersecurity and virtual teams), and how organisations collect and use data for decision-making within virtual workplaces. It's designed to complement your GCSEs, building essential vocational attributes and revealing a wider array of exciting future pathways.

Useful Links