Computing

Ms J Platten

Curriculum Leader for the Creative Arts and Technology Faculty and Teacher of Computing

I am delighted to join Penwortham Girls’ High School as the Head of Computer Science. My interest in the subject began as a child, I was self-taught, learning to program by experimenting with code on my first computer to create animations and movement. I have since had the opportunity to apply these skills across a diverse career, before moving into education over a decade ago. I am experienced working in the tech industry developing websites, database admin, and graphics design. This background allows me to bring a “real-world” perspective to the classroom, showing students how the concepts we study are applied in professional environments. I am highly ambitious for my students and for the subject of Computer Science. In an era where AI is fundamentally changing the global workforce, I believe it is vital that young women are equipped with the technical literacy to lead these changes, rather than just navigate them. My goal is to ensure that every student at PGHS develops the confidence and the skills to become an architect of their digital future.

Computer Science is a fundamental subject split into three strands:

Computer science

Information and Communication Technology

Digital Skills

Students will have the opportunity to develop these skills by including ICT and digital skills in their computer science lessons. Students will use digital books, and work will be completed on a range of digital applications. Students will focus on understanding the hardware and software of technology, developing their computational thinking skills, before learning to program and applying sequence, selection and iteration to solving a range of problems. As Artificial Intelligence becomes more central to day-to-day life students will be taught about machine learning, how data is collected, bias in responses and how AI can be used to solve big problems in the world.

Year 7

At the start of year 7 we build students confidence in building confidence in the digital skills needed for secondary school. Moving on to going under the hood of the computer to understand the hardware of the computer, before moving on to binary, converting and adding binary numbers. Cyber security is an important topic that solidifies the importance of how to keep computers safe. Computational thinking is taught before block-based programming to give students a strong understanding of the core building blocks of code: sequence, selection and iteration.

Year 8

The year begins with understanding internet of things devices and networks and foundation of everyday life. Students then move on to understanding key searching and sorting algorithms and computational thinking. Text based programming will be taught using the Python programming language the focus will be on building confidence with the syntax rules of the programming language and understanding the three key building blocks as used in a text-based language. Artificial intelligence is the final topic in yar 8 where student are taught how machine learning works, how this can give rise to bias and inaccuracies.

Year 9

Students move on from the foundational knowledge to understanding the bigger picture of computer science in the wider world, including skills needed to critically evaluate new technology and skills for purchasing computers. They learn how data can be used to solve problems. In programming students move from syntax-based learning to problem solving with code. Students develop a range of problem-solving skills across mini programming projects. At the end of year 9 digital safety is addressed by looking at mental health and social media, before finishing off with advanced digital skills.

GCSE Computer Science (Year 10 and 11)

Computer Science is an options subject, that is a future ready qualification.

The course is split into 2 units:

Computer systems

Computational thinking, algorithms and programming.

The Computer Science GCSE sets the foundation to support any career path and future studies. Ensuring that students have a strong foundation to meet the ever-changing world of technology.

What will it be like and who will it suit?

The GCSE course has something for everyone. Theory topics such as understanding the hardware of a computer, networks and how they connect and transmit data, cyber security, operating systems and the ethics and legal aspects of the digital world, means that students will gain essential skills that will support them in any career they choose. The computational thinking, algorithms and programming topics develop problem solving skills that are invaluable and will support a wide range of careers. With the advancements in AI these skills will enhance students’ ability to use AI effectively and setting them up to be future ready.

The only requirement for students to be suitable for computer science, is that they have an interest in the subject. The course is a grade 1 to 9 and all students are encouraged to consider the course.

Assessment

The course is assessed using two exams taken at the end of year 11.

Computer Systems is a theory-based paper that accounts for 50% of the final grade and is a 1.5-hour exam worth 80 marks.

Computational thinking, algorithms and programming is a paper that assesses a range of programming, computational thinking skills and knowledge. This paper accounts for 50% of the final grade and is 1.5-hour exam worth 80 marks.