• Digital Literacy & E-Safety
  • Learn how to use Warblington’s computer systems and home devices safely, responsibly, and respectfully.
  • Explore online safety, digital footprints, and the impact of technology on daily life. Including the use of AI.
  • Develop good habits in file management, cloud platforms, and online collaboration.
• Core IT Skills
  • Build on IT and digital literacy skills from primary school.
  • Create and present work effectively using a range of software (documents, spreadsheets, presentations).
  • Use these tools to present findings in computing theory topics.
• Computing Fundamentals
  • Understand what a computer is, its key components, and how data is represented in binary.
  • Gain early exposure to networks, the internet, and how information travels securely.
• Programming & Problem-Solving
  • Begin learning Python through fun, structured activities that develop computational thinking.
  • Apply sequencing, selection, and iteration to solve problems.
  • Understand the difference between programming languages and why they are used.
• Physical Computing
  • Experiment with Micro:Bits and other simple hardware to link software with the physical world.
  • Write simple programs to control lights, sensors, and interactive devices.
• Creativity & Project Work
  • Use digital tools to design, create, and present projects.
  • Develop teamwork and problem-solving skills through collaborative tasks.

• Work confidently and safely on school and home systems.
• Use IT tools to research, create, and present information.
• Demonstrate an understanding of computing fundamentals.
• Write, test, and debug simple programs in Python.
• Apply creativity in digital and physical computing projects.

• Responsible Use of Technology
  • Revisit and extend knowledge of online safety, digital wellbeing, and cybersecurity.
  • Explore current issues such as cyberbullying, fake news, and managing online identity.
• Data & Information
  • Learn about binary, hexadecimal, and how data such as text, images, and sound are represented.
  • Understand compression and storage, and why efficiency matters.
• Networks & the Internet
  • Understand cloud computing and its implications for individuals and society.
  • Recognise threats such as malware, phishing, and hacking, and how to stay safe.
• Programming & Algorithms
  • Build on Year 7 Python knowledge by introducing functions, variables, and loops.
  • Practice problem decomposition, abstraction, and debugging strategies.
• Physical Computing & Projects
  • Extend Micro:Bit work into more advanced projects, e.g., timers, games, or data logging.
  • Explore how software can be applied in real-world contexts (IoT, robotics, control systems such as traffic lights).
  • Collaborate on creative computing projects that combine design, coding, and presentation.

• Explain how computers represent, store, and transmit different types of data.
• Understand the structure and risks of networks and the internet.
• Write and test Python programs using variables, functions, and iteration.
• Apply computational thinking to design efficient algorithms.
• Work independently and collaboratively on larger computing projects.

• Networks & Cybersecurity
  • Understand how networks are structured (LANs, WANs, and topologies).
  • Identify common cyber threats (malware, phishing, denial of service) and evaluate strategies to stay safe.
  • Apply network concepts to real-life contexts such as home WiFi, online gaming, or school systems.

• Algorithms: Searching & Sorting
  • Explore linear vs binary search, bubble sort, insertion sort, and merge sort.
  • Compare the efficiency of different algorithms using flowcharts, pseudocode, and Python.
  • Apply computational thinking to evaluate the best approach for different problems.
  • Build confidence in linking abstract concepts to real-world applications (e.g., how Google searches, or how games rank scores).
• App Design Project
  • Plan, design, and prototype an interactive digital application to solve a real-world problem.
  • Apply user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) principles.
  • Use wireframing, storyboards, and design tools to visualise app ideas.
  • Build a working prototype (in Python, web tools, or a block-based platform) and present it.
  • Work collaboratively in teams, taking on project roles (designer, developer, tester).

• Explain how computer networks function and how data is transmitted securely.
• Demonstrate, compare, and implement key searching and sorting algorithms.
• Design and prototype a digital app with clear user needs and a functional outcome.
• Apply computational thinking to create solutions that are purposeful and realistic.
• Will experience a taster of business studies

1. Understanding how computer systems work (theory).
2. Becoming confident programmers who can design, write, and test their own code.

• The main parts of a computer and what they do (CPU – the “brain”, memory, and storage).
• Binary – how computers represent numbers, text, and images using only 1s and 0s.
• How files are stored and measured (bits, bytes, kilobytes, etc.).
• Operating Systems – the software that controls the computer, manages memory, runs programs, and provides the user interface.
• Examples of other utility software (anti-virus, file compression, backup tools).

• How computers connect at home, school, and in business.
• LANs, WANs, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cloud computing.
• How information is sent across the internet safely using packets and protocols.

• Dangers such as malware, phishing, hacking, and scams.
• How to protect personal data with encryption, secure passwords, firewalls, and anti-virus tools.

• Writing code in Python, one of the most widely used languages in the industry.
• Using key programming techniques: variables, decisions (if statements), loops, lists, and functions.
• Creating programs that read and write files.
• Designing code that is reliable, with error checking and testing.

• Using computational thinking (breaking down problems into steps).
• Planning solutions with flowcharts and pseudocode.
• Understanding and coding searching and sorting algorithms, and comparing which is most efficient.

• Understand how computer hardware and operating systems work together.
• Explain how computers use binary to represent and process data.
• Know how networks and the internet function, and how to stay safe online.
• Be able to design, code, test, and improve their own Python programs.
• Solve problems using computational thinking and algorithms.
• Be ready to move on to the more advanced topics of Year 11 and final exam preparation.

In Year 11, students complete their GCSE Computer Science course. They consolidate their knowledge of computer systems and networks, but the main focus is on developing advanced programming skills and applying them to solve more complex problems.

Programming at a higher level

• Writing more advanced Python programs that:
• • Use subroutines (functions and procedures) to structure code.
  • Handle and process data using lists, 2D arrays, and files.
  • Include validation, authentication, and error handling to make programs robust.
• Developing problem-solving strategies for larger projects.
• Using testing plans to ensure programs work reliably.
• Learning how professional programmers refine and optimise their code.

Algorithms and computational thinking

• Applying decomposition (breaking big problems into smaller steps) and abstraction (focusing on what matters).
• Implementing searching and sorting algorithms in code.
• Analysing algorithms for efficiency.
• Building confidence in pseudocode and flowcharts to prepare for exams.

Computer systems and the bigger picture

• Revisiting system architecture, networks, cybersecurity, and ethics at GCSE level.
• Exploring the impact of new technologies (AI, machine learning, cloud computing) on society and jobs.
• Preparing for written exam questions by linking knowledge to real-world examples.

Exam preparation

• Practising exam-style questions that combine theory and practical coding.
• Applying programming skills to unseen problems.
• Reviewing key topics from Year 10 (binary, operating systems, memory, storage, networks).