Computing & ICT

For more information and resources please visit our Department Website.

The Computing department at King’s Academy Bay House aims to equip learners with essential technology skills to thrive in the dynamic, ever-evolving digital world. We empower pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to navigate and shape a changing society.

With strong links to Mathematics, Science, and Design and Technology, Computing provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. Pupils learn the principles of information and computation, understand how digital systems work, and apply this knowledge through programming. Building on this foundation, they learn to create programs, systems, and digital content.

Our curriculum ensures pupils become digitally literate – capable of using technology to express themselves, develop ideas, and solve problems – preparing them for future careers and active participation in the digital age.

Key Stage 3

Our Key Stage 3 syllabus provides a varied and interesting curriculum covering many aspects of Computer Science and Information Communication Technology. All of which has been sequenced to apply knowledge like building blocks throughout the 3 years of KS3.

Year 7

  • Using media – Gaining support for a cause (Google Apps): In this topic, pupils will develop a deeper understanding of information technology and digital literacy by using their skills across the unit to create a blog post about a real-world cause that they are passionate about and would like to gain support for.
  • Micro:Bits: This topic brings together elements of all four programming constructs: sequence, repetition, selection, and variables. It offers pupils the opportunity to use all of these constructs in a different, but still familiar environment, while also utilising a physical device — the micro:bit. The unit begins with a simple program for pupils to build in and test within the new programming environment, before transferring it to their micro:bit. Pupils then take on three new projects in Lessons 2, 3, and 4, with each lesson adding more depth.

Year 8

  • Introduction to Python: This topic introduces learners to text-based programming with Python. The lessons form a journey that starts with simple programs involving input and output, and gradually moves on through arithmetic operations, randomness, selection, and iteration. Emphasis is placed on tackling common misconceptions and explaining the mechanics of program execution. A range of pedagogical tools is employed throughout the unit, with the most prominent being pair programming, live coding, and worked examples.
  • Modelling data using spreadsheets: This topic introduces pupils to the wonderful world of spreadsheets and the concept of cell referencing. They will collect, analyse, and manipulate data, before turning it into graphs and charts. Data is beautiful!

Year 9

The Year 9 curriculum provides an excellent introduction to Computer Science and ICT at GCSE and supports pupils in their options choices.

  • Introduction to Python: This unit introduces learners to text-based programming with Python. The lessons form a journey that starts with simple programs involving input and output, and gradually moves on through arithmetic operations, randomness, selection, and iteration. Emphasis is placed on tackling common misconceptions and elucidating the mechanics of program execution. A range of pedagogical tools is employed throughout the unit, with the most prominent being pair programming, live coding, and worked examples.
  • Introduction of cybersecurity: This unit takes pupils on a journey of discovery of techniques that cybercriminals use to steal data, disrupt systems, and infiltrate networks. Pupils will start by considering the value their data holds and what organisations might use it for. They will then learn about social engineering and other common cybercrimes, and finally look at methods to protect against these attacks.

Key Stage 4

AQA GCSE Computer Science

This course helps pupils develop an understanding of computer science methods in the real world – pupils will decompose and model aspects of real-world situations, and as a result be able to design, build and test a fully-programmed solution to a problem. Pupils develop knowledge and understanding of how technology can be used to help proactively with current issues that impact on modern society, preparing them for their next steps in today’s global world.

2023/2025 – Year 11 – OCR Cambridge National Information Technologies

This course improves pupils’ knowledge of the digital environment and their confidence in IT. They learn about data management issues and develop practical skills by planning and creating an integrated technological solution to communicate information. Knowing how and why data is gathered and being able to turn raw data into something meaningful is essential as pupils move through education and into employment. To be able to do this they will need to have the confidence to use a range of information technology that is currently available, as well as being adaptable and resilient enough to deal with the rapid advances

2024/2026 – Year 10 – WJEC Level 1/2 Vocational Award in ICT

This course will develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the ICT sector and provide them with opportunities to develop associated practical skills. It covers ICT in Society; allowing them to explore the wide range of uses of hardware, application and specialist software, and ICT in context; introducing pupils to a broad working knowledge of databases, spreadsheets, automated documents and images.

Key Stage 5

A-Level Computer Science

Eduqas

A-level Computer Science encourages students to develop:

  • an understanding of, and the ability to apply, the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation
  • the ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so
    the capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
  • the capacity to see relationships between different aspects of Computer Science
  • mathematical skills
  • the ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology.

BTEC Nationals Information Technology

Pearson

This qualification is designed for students who are interested in a basic introduction to the study of IT alongside other fields of study.

Lower Sixth

Certificate

  • Unit 2 – Creating Systems to Manage Information
    • Students complete a task to design, create, test and evaluate a relational database system that manages information.
  • Unit 3 – Using Social Media in Business
    • Students explore how businesses use social media to promote their products and services. Students also implement social media activities in a business to meet requirements.

Upper Sixth

After completing the certificate in Lower Sixth students can continue to study for the Extended Certificate

  • Unit 1 – Information Technology Systems
    • Students study the role of computer systems and the implications of their use in personal and professional situations.
  • Unit 5 – Data Modelling
    • Students study how data modelling can be used to solve problems. They will design and implement a data model to meet client requirements.