The Computing Curriculum

Key Stage Three Textbook

This textbook is divided into 9 chapters. There are 3 chapters for each year group to match the 3 terms in the academic year. Each chapter is known as a "cycle". This is because the cycle is taught, assessed, then improved upon before moving on to the next cycle. Each cycle has its own progression sheet that can be downloaded at the start of each cycle.

You can navigate the chapters using the menu bar.

Use this textbook to:

  • Dip in and out as you need
  • Get ideas for the classroom
  • Follow from start to finish as a Key Stage Three Scheme for Learning
  • Teach yourself Computing!

NOTE: Year 9 is a bridging curriculum to prepare students for GCSE Computer Science and/or Vocational IT courses. This is why each cycle seems to be split in two.

Classroom Ideas

Every outcome page has a "classroom ideas" section at the bottom. This gives you tips, links and ideas to use in the classroom. Take a look at the outcome page and the classroom ideas before you teach the outcome to your class.

A Mastery Approach

This textbook is designed using a progressive curriculum model. Each outcome builds from the last. There is a mini-test in each outcome to check the learning progress. Students can re-take activities or move on to the "Embed" activity depending on their scores.

Please note that...

OUTCOMES are not equal to LESSONS!

Students / classes will work through each outcome at their own pace. Sometimes they will complete two outcomes in one lesson, sometimes it will take them two lessons to complete one outcome!

Assessment

Self - Assessment

Student can self-assess during the outcome by using the google quizzes on each page. This is just a simple check that they have understood what they have read or completed.

Students should also use the Progress Sheet associated with each cycle to record their progress. You can download all of the progress sheets in one file here. Individual Progress Sheets are available at the beginning of each cycle.

Key Assessment Tasks (Projects)

Each cycle of work has a final project that assesses the subject knowledge and skills for the entire cycle. The projects can be marked using the mastery grids available on each project page.

The Computing National Curriculum in England

(source: DfE website)

See how the textbook is mapped to the Curriculum here

Key stage 3

Pupils should be taught to:

  • design, use and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems
  • understand several key algorithms that reflect computational thinking [for example, ones for sorting and searching]; use logical reasoning to compare the utility of alternative algorithms for the same problem
  • use 2 or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems; make appropriate use of data structures [for example, lists, tables or arrays]; design and develop modular programs that use procedures or functions
  • understand simple Boolean logic [for example, AND, OR and NOT] and some of its uses in circuits and programming; understand how numbers can be represented in binary, and be able to carry out simple operations on binary numbers [for example, binary addition, and conversion between binary and decimal]
  • understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
  • understand how instructions are stored and executed within a computer system; understand how data of various types (including text, sounds and pictures) can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits
  • undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications, preferably across a range of devices, to achieve challenging goals, including collecting and analysing data and meeting the needs of known users
  • create, reuse, revise and repurpose digital artefacts for a given audience, with attention to trustworthiness, design and usability
  • understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct, and know how to report concerns

The Learning Outcomes

All of the learning outcomes that are covered in this textbook are listed below:

Learning Outcomes

Key Stage Four Textbook

The KS4 Textbook is for AQA Computer Science 8520.

It is a revision aid for students.

Meet the Authors

Rebecca Franks - Faculty Director of Computing and Business

Vice-chair of CAS #include

(Founder and Author)

Catherine Elliott

Secretary of CAS #include

(SEN Specialist - Author of SEND Section of the Site)

Samantha Smith - KS4 Co-ordinator of IT

(Author)

Paul Lowe - KS3 Co-ordinator of Computing

(Author)

This book is for everyone and is produced in partnership with CAS #include

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