Our curriculum intent applies to all our young people, regardless of background, gender, sexual orientation or ability. As a school, and department, we are absolutely committed that the opportunities we plan for and implement ensure that each student can reach and exceed their potential.   

All learners at Wyvern Academy are given the opportunity to become confident, well-informed and critical users of technology to support them in a modern and changing world.

Computing at Wyvern Academy aims to equip students with the skills to participate in a rapidly changing world through challenging and engaging topics.  Students will develop an understanding and application in the fundamental principles of computer science by having the opportunity to write algorithms, investigate computer architecture and produce professional digital products.

Computing skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative, and independent learners, and it is our intention that children have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this.  As a school that desires social justice for all through a progressive curriculum Computing is essential to ensure that all possible doors are open to all our young people.

In Computing we are dedicated to ensuring our students leave with the skills to fully embrace a future of rapidly advancing computer technology.  Students at Wyvern have a wide variety of experiences in using digital devices and some have almost no access to technology a home

The curriculum has been developed using the National Centre of Computing Education (NCCE) guidance at KS3 and follows the OCR GCSE Computing course at KS4.  These decisions have been made to allow appropriate flow of knowledge to KS5 options in the region and nationally.  Key elements of digital skills including numeracy are embedded at KS3 to provide practical applications of knowledge that will benefit learners throughout their lives.  Literacy skills are at the forefront of the learning experience with tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary made explicit and extended writing opportunities provided for in each lesson.

Knowledge and skills:

Through our curriculum, students will study the key domains of knowledge identified by the NCCE as essential strands to computing education.  This is mapped against the KS3 national curriculum, and it’s associated progression pathways through KS4 and 5.

In this section you should summarise the key knowledge and skills which are developed through your curriculum area in order to meet the intent above.

1. Digital Literacy – How to create, reuse and repurpose digital artefacts as well as use a range of applications.
2. Hardware – The physical components that make up a computer system, their purpose and use.
3. Software – The applications to use in a system to perform a task and which to use when and why.
4. Computational Thinking – The 4 main principles and how we can use them to solve problems.
5. Logic – How is Boolean logic used in circuits and programming.
6. Data Representation – how are images, sound and text represent through binary in a computer system.
7. Programming – the use of at least 2 languages to solve computational problems.
8. Communication – Networks, what are they and where are the used.
9. Responsibility – Legal, ethical, environmental issues.
10. E-Safety – how to use and understand technology safely and responsibly.