The Computing department at Irlam and Cadishead Academy aims to develop confident digital citizens. Through challenging and engaging projects, students will learn how to use computational thinking skills to solve given problems. All students will have the opportunity to write their own programs, design webpages and produce professional quality digital products whilst learning basic ICT skills in preparation for life beyond education. We are dedicated to ensuring that our students leave the Academy with the skills to embrace a future of rapidly advancing computer technology.
In Key Stage 3, students will learn to code using Scratch as an introduction to coding advancing to 2 text based programming languages: Python and HTML in preparation for Key Stage 4. They will begin to understand how various types of instructions are stored and executed in computer systems, and how they can be used to represent images, music and text.
Students will undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications to achieve challenging goals. This includes collecting and analysing data and meeting the needs of known users. They will understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely: including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognising inappropriate content; contact and conduct; and knowing how to report concerns.
 

By the end of Key Stage 3 all our year 9 students will have the foundation knowledge and skills ready to develop their understanding at GCSE level if they chose to carry Computer Science as an option in year10. Students will be taught computational thinking as its core, helping students to develop the skills tosolve problems, design systems and understand human and machine intelligence. Students will apply the academic principles they learn in the classroom to real-world systems in an exciting and engaging way.
Due to the assessment of the course for Computer Science each lesson students will part take in past paper questions to embed understanding and address any misconceptions in advance of the public exams each student studying the course will take. Staff and students regularly assess attainment within the subject and there is a clear review process in place in order for students to continuously make progress.