Computer Science & IT

All of our students are given a Chromebook by the school to use in their lessons and for their home learning.  These are provided at no cost to parents and students are expected to bring them to school every day to use in class to enrich their learning experience.  They are also expected to use them at home to help complete their home learning. 

This is a new initiative at La Retraite in response to the Covid pandemic.  Our role in the Computer Science department has developed and we understand that in addition to teaching them the curriculum, we also need to ensure they have the digital skills necessary to succeed in their other subjects.  Our whole school curriculum is blended, so that resources are available online so that students can access their lessons from home or school.  There is no substitute for being in school, but we hope to enable students to develop their independent learning skills by giving them the tools they need to succeed when they are at home.  Our aim is to develop lifelong learners that can regulate and motivate themselves to learn something new whenever they have the desire or need.

We have a ‘Digital Leader’ scheme in place so that our Computer Science students can support others in different lessons, particularly other KS4 and 5 students that did not pick Computer Science or IT as one of their options.  Since all students have Chromebooks which are used in every subject, our Digital Leaders can support students in those lessons and show them effective ways of working.  This will help our students build confidence and realise how much digital skills are valued by the wider community.  Every KS4 and 5 Computer Science or IT student is a Digital Leader and 2 students from each KS3 class are appointed.

We are passionate about promoting STEM careers to our students and providing them with lots of inspirational role models in the world of technology.  Females and in particular, people from diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in the technology sector.  There are many exciting and well-paid careers that our students could have in the tech sector, and we focus on the possible careers throughout the year. During Black History Month we will focus on black female computer scientists from the past and ones that are currently successful in their field.  This is a lovely topic that we link with careers as it opens their eyes to different possibilities.

We are extremely lucky to have fifteen brand new Lego Robot Inventor kits which we use with all year groups.  After they have been assembled, the students can use block-based coding (similar to Scratch), to operate the robots and solve challenges.  They then write the same instructions in Python code which should have the same effect on the robot.  This is a fun way of bringing their code to life and helping students understand what is going on inside computer systems.  They can develop from the easier block-based coding to the more advanced Python programming that is used in industry.  These robots enable the students to learn about computer systems as they have inputs (sensors that detect distance, light and colour) and outputs (motors that make them move, lights that turn on and speakers that output sound).  The students love using them and are very enthusiastic about coding them in lessons and at enrichment clubs. 

All our students participate in Bebras Computing Challenge.  This is an international competition in over 50 countries which is designed to get students all over the world excited about computing. 
Each participant answer questions that focus on computational and logical thinking.  The top students are invited to participate in the Oxford University Computing Challenge.

Our students all have Typing Club accounts and practise touch typing regularly in lessons and in form time.  We do not want writing or typing to be a barrier to their learning and the quicker students can get their ideas out of their head and onto paper or an electronic document, then the more ideas they can grow.  We see typing as a core skill in the digital age we live in, and it is important at every key stage.

Computer Science Level Descriptors

Key Stage 3

At KS3, students have 1 period per week in a dedicated IT suite.  The KS3 Computer Science students will first learn how to use Chromebooks in class effectively, so they will be able to complete their assignments on Microsoft Teams and use email and other applications to communicate, collaborate and create in every subject.  We also promote online learning and revision tools such as Seneca which enables students to practice recalling knowledge learnt in school. 

After the routines have been established and all students can confidently use their Chromebooks and the school computer system, we do a baseline test with our Year 7 students to see what knowledge and skills they have learnt from the previous key stage.  This enables us to identify the starting point of students from different schools and helps us to differentiate appropriately in lessons.  

After the baseline test, we teach them about e-safety.  This is one of the most important units and it is vital we deliver it as soon as possible so that the students know how to stay safe.  We revisit it at the beginning of every year. We find that the students enjoy learning about e-safety and like to contribute. 

We have made the SOW’s interesting to try and encourage uptake at KS4.  There is a big focus on programming in each year.  We start off with block-based programming with Scratch in Yr 7, then text-based Python in Yr 8.  We build upon this and revisit Python in Yr 9 and tackle more complex concepts such as lists and dictionaries.  Python is one of the most desired programming languages and is used by Google and NASA, so if we can build up our student’s skills in it from a young age, they could have excellent career prospects.  We use the Lego Robots to enhance this curriculum.

Python is also the language used at GCSE Computer Science and the Digital T-Level.

We run a coding club each week for KS3, and it is well attended.  The main aim of the club is to encourage our girls to develop a love of coding and computer science as many of them would not normally consider it as an option or a career.  We can also use this time to support any students that need support using a computer in any way, either they are struggling in their lessons or have a particular interest they want to explore.  From Yr 8 onwards, we will use Trinket which allows students to program using a website instead of having the program installed on their PC, this will enable better access for all when not at school.  It also allows us to see their work and set assignments, which we can then review and give feedback.

Our KS3 curriculum completely covers what is asked by the DFE and CAS but also should engage, enthuse and prepare our students for their Computer Science GCSE. We try to hook them into programming with the use of Scratch to make their own game, which they enjoy, then we try to make lessons as interactive as possible.  For example, when teaching binary and hexadecimal, we have self-marking spreadsheets which the students like to use as they get instant feedback on their progress.  We also use several different online ‘binary conversion’ games so that they get lots of practice, this also supports numeracy as they are doing lots of mental arithmetic.  The games get quite advanced so this provides a lot of challenge and extends our more able students, as there is always a higher level they can aim for.

All our lessons are mixed ability, so we differentiate all our lessons and there is always a challenge activity in the lesson to extend further.  For example, the Trinket programming activities can be worked through at a student’s own pace so that more able students have extra challenge and less able can receive more support.

We know a lot of the students enjoy being creative and it is an important part of being a digital native, so we plan to include one creative project per year group so they can use their skills they have developed throughout the year to combine and create artefacts, we can also teach them about design and reliability of resources.  They enjoy working in pairs and groups, so we encourage this where appropriate.  This is a skill that they will need in the workplace, so we try to build these skills from a young age.  It also helps their communication and interpersonal skills to work in teams and work towards goals.

We do have end of unit tests and individual assessments, so although teamwork and collaboration are used in many lessons, the students know they cannot be passive and must actively contribute.

The majority of the KS3 curriculum prepares students for the KS4 Computer Science GCSE, in particular;  programming in Python, algorithms, networks, legislation, data representation and binary logic.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Map

Key Stage 4

GCSE Computer Science

Since so many of the students enjoy programming at KS3 we wanted to offer our students the chance to study a rigorous KS4 qualification that will enable them to continue their programming journey.  Although Computer Science is a difficult option, it is important to try and encourage more young women and disadvantaged students into STEM subjects and it is something we are passionate about.  We want to prepare our students for their next steps and some of them will develop a love for Computer Science and this GCSE will enable them to learn exactly what happens inside a computer, solve complex problems using computational thinking skills and, in some cases learn how to make complex computer programs as solution to these problems.  We hope to increase the number of students choosing Computer Science at KS4 and therefore KS5, and ultimately have more of our students studying it at University or on good quality technical apprenticeships or employment.  The tech industry is a growing one and there are lots of opportunities for Computer Science students and we aim to help students make the most of the opportunities out there and with the support of our Business Engagement office.     

We have a range of resources that are available to students in lessons and from home via our SharePoint site.  We encourage students to become independent lifelong learners, and to regularly monitor their progress.  They use a Personalised Learning Checklist which they use to RAG rate their confidence level for each topic on the specification.  They can then focus their revision on their weaker areas and use resources such as Seneca Learning to revise topics they previously got incorrect.

The fact that all KS4 students will have had some experience with programming and algorithms, helps them with their confidence at the start of the course and enables them to make rapid progress.  As referenced above, the KS3 curriculum prepares them well.

All our KS4 Computer Science students are given a ‘Digital Leader’ badge and this shows other students and staff that they are willing and able to help others with any technical issue when using Chromebooks in other subjects. 

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Map