Welcome to Computer Science & IT at Charles Darwin School. Here at Charles Darwin, we believe that:

“Computer Science empowers students to create the world of tomorrow” - Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.

We aim to inspire students as pioneers of the future and to nurture a love of this subject. All our students deserve a chance to become creators instead of consumers of computer science. It is our responsibility to get students thinking in a different way to solve problems, a valuable life skill whether they end up in computer science or not.

Click here for Computer Science curriculum mapping

Click her for IT curriculum mapping

Course Overview

Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) is delivered across all three key stages and remains a popular exam subject choice at both GCSE and A-Level. Students have access to a wide range of industry-standard software, an allocated user area and a school email account. 

Key Stage 3

We take students’ e-safety seriously and we deliver a scheme of work that provides students with an understanding of the positive and negative impacts of communicating online, how to use ICT sensibly, what acceptable use is, and where to access help if they feel they need it. This is taught to all three-year groups in key stage three at the start of every academic year. Throughout the academic year, students are exposed to both Computer Science and IT topics that are taught at Key Stage 4 level to give the students an idea of topics are covered.

Term	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Autumn 1	Introduction to IT facilities & E-safety	Introduction to IT facilities & E-safety	Introduction to IT facilities & E-safety
Autumn 2	Introduction to Computer Science	Computer Systems	Cyber security
Spring 1	Computer Networks	Spreadsheet Modelling	Data Science
Spring 2	Spreadsheet Modelling
Summer 1	Scratch programming	Python Programming	Physical computing
Summer 2

Key Stage 4

Computer Science is an in-depth course that deals with data, the hardware of computers, networks, the internet, and programming. Whereas, Information Technology deals with using computers to acquire and use knowledge as applied in the business world.

We provide quality Computing education, which gradually builds up students' digital literacy. The curriculum is grounded in the fundamental principles of computing and prepares our students to apply these principles creatively and responsibly. Students gain a clear understanding of the ethical, legal, and safety issues in computer science. Rather than a discrete topic, E-safety and being a responsible digital citizen are interleaved and reinforced throughout.

Throughout computing students learn to become creators, rather than consumers of computer systems. The sequencing allows students to use various text-based coding platforms, providing greater opportunities for creativity and flair. They are then able to move to increasingly complex programming constructs across a range of simulated, real or physical platforms. This challenging curriculum ensures that students show resilience and build character.

Physical computing adds value and relevance. Rather than just being theoretical, our students are taught to use "computational thinking and creativity to change the world" in relation to both natural and artificial systems.

The study of data representation provides another aspect of understanding and how binary (or in the future Quantum computing technology) allows storage, transmission and creativity with data. We know we are preparing students for a technological future that we can’t imagine. In teaching students these powerful building blocks, we equip them for bright futures. 

We offer GCSE Computer Science and BTEC Digital Information Technology Level 2 course.

For more details of topic covered, please see the curriculum maps below.

Key Stage 5

OCR A Level Computer Science (H046/H446) course is relevant to the modern and changing world of computing. Computer Science is a practical subject where students are encouraged to apply the academic principles to real-world systems. It is an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement, that can look at the natural world through a digital prism. The Computer Science qualification values computational thinking, helping students to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limitations of human and machine intelligence.

BTEC IT Level 3 (2016) course is supported by experienced staff that provide strong subject knowledge and a variety of teaching methods to engage and facilitate learning. This course allows learners to develop a common core of IT knowledge such as the relationship between hardware and software that forms an IT system, managing and processing data to support business and using IT to communicate and share information.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Overview:

Year 10 GCSE Computer Science Overview:

		Wk 1 (3 lesson)	Wk 2 (2 lesson)
Autumn	1	3.1 Algorithms  3.3 Data Representation	3.2 Programming
	HALF TERM
	2	3.3 Data Representation	3.2 Programming
CHRISTMAS HOLS
Spring	1	3.4 Computer Systems	3.2 Programming
	HALF TERM
	2	3.5 Computer Networks	3.2 Programming
EASTER HOLS
Summer	1	3.7 Relational databases & query language (SQL)	3.2 Programming
	HALF TERM
	2	3.6 Cyber Security &  3.8 Ethical, Legal, eniviromental impacts of digital tech	3.2 Programming
SUMMER HOLS

Year 11 GCSE Computer Science Overview:

		Wk 1 (3 lesson)	Wk 2 (2 lesson)
Autumn	1	3.1 Algorithms  3.3 Data Representation	3.2 Programming
	HALF TERM
	2	3.4 Computer Systems  3.5 Computer Networks	3.2 Programming
CHRISTMAS HOLS
Spring	1	3.7 Relational databases & query language (SQL) 3.6 Cyber Security 3.8 Ethical, Legal, eniviromental impacts of digital tech	3.2 Programming
	HALF TERM
	2	Revision Paper 1 & Paper 2	3.2 Programming
EASTER HOLS
Summer	1	REVISION & EXAM SEASON
	HALF TERM
	2
SUMMER HOLS

Year 10 BTEC DIT Level 2 Overview (2022)

		Wk 1 (3 lesson)	Wk 2 (2 lesson)
Autumn	1	Comp 1: Content  Teach Skills alongside a mini project to support student understanding
	HALF TERM
	2	Comp 1: Content  Teach Skills alongside a mini project to support student understanding
CHRISTMAS HOLS
Spring	1	Comp 1: Coursework prep
	HALF TERM
	2	Comp 1: Coursework  Coursework release: Feb  First submission: Before Easter hols
EASTER HOLS
Summer	1	Comp 1: Coursework  Final submission April
	HALF TERM
	2	Comp 2: Spreadsheet theory Prep
SUMMER HOLS

Year 11 BTEC DIT Level 2 (2016)

		Wk 1 (3 lesson)	Wk 2 (2 lesson)
Autumn	1	Comp 2 - Learning Aim A Skills	Comp 3 - EXAM Unit - Theory
	HALF TERM
	2	Comp 2 - Learning Aim A finish coursework	Comp 3 - EXAM Unit - Theory
CHRISTMAS HOLS
Spring	1	Comp 2 - Learning Aim B&C Skills	Comp 3 - EXAM Unit - Theory
	HALF TERM
	2	Comp 2 - Learning Aim B&C Skills	Comp 3 - EXAM Unit - Theory
EASTER HOLS
Summer	1	Comp 2 - Learning Aim B&C resubmission hand	Comp 3 - EXAM Unit - Theory
	HALF TERM
	2
SUMMER HOLS

Common Questions 

Who will teach me? 

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