Computer Science, Design and Technology Faculty

Head of Faculty: Ali Raza

Our curriculum intends to develop knowledgeable expertise in the fields of Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Design and Technolgy to prepare students to be active participants in the future digital world. As stated in the KS3 National Curriculum: ‘Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.’ Therefore, at KS3, these elements are integrated and aligned to bridge the artistry of design with the logic and problem solving required by computational thinking, computer aided design and manufacture. Our curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge required to prepare them for the demands of KS4, KS5 and beyond as students learn to design and evaluate products they make and to master the design process.

Our intent in the Computer Science, Design and Technology faculty is to develop students that can successfully merge these different elements so our future software developers are not simply coding machines, but artists, who can successfully develop innovative software. We prepare students for each step of the design and development process, to prepare students for jobs that do not exist yet as they develop strong digital literacy across the curriculum.

The fields of Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Design and Technology are innately linked to Maths or Physics, but they are so much more than that, these fields also require a great understanding and appreciation of art. When a company develops a user interface for a smartphone, they must program the code for it, that goes without saying. However, they must also consider whether is it pleasing to the eye. The most popular smartphone operating systems, Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android do this beautifully. Developers will also need to consider whether navigation through a user interface is intuitive, to allow the user to use a device without having to access a user manual. They must also consider the physics of the touch interface, to ensure pinching and zooming, swiping all feel natural to the user. This is true across other disciplines is the fields also; an architect needs to consider, the physical integrity of a build, the looks, the flow of human traffic, to name a few.

We follow the National Curriculum across these fields, for example as stated in the KS3 National Curriculum for Design and Technology ‘high-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation’. Similarly, the KS3 programme of computing states: ‘Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.’ This encapsulates our intent.

Curriculum Maps

Computer Science, Design and Technology Faculty

Curriculum Maps

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Key stage 5