File management - being able to securely save, locate, and reload files.

Social Networking - understanding how social media works, the benefits and the drawbacks of using it. Networking - how networking is a key feature of modern day life.

Keeping data safe online - passwords, phishing, scamming, and how we cannot be a victim.

Using Email - personal and professional the benefits of email and how it has replaced other methods of communication.

Searching the Web - effective use of search engines, key words, and use of advanced search features.

I will be able to effectively save, open and edit my files.

I will demonstrate understanding of social media concepts, and explain the dangers of using it.

I can explain why networking is important in the modern world.

I will able to identify dangers of using the internet, and how to protect myself.

I will complete an end of unit assessment on using computer safely, and this will be multiple choice and contain 40 questions.

Completion of typing lessons to a high degree of accuracy (above 95%)

Typing speed and accuracy that has shown improvement over time, working from base levels to increasing WPM and Accuracy.

Introduction to Micro: Bit - what the key aspects of the Micro: Bit are, buttons, connections, LED's, gyroscope etc.  

Digital Dice - coding the Micro: Bit to act as dice, using controls to shake and produce LED based numbers. Compass - accessing the gyroscope aspects to produce a compass that is N, S, E, W and beyond for those who fancy the challenge.  

Pong - classic 2 player game, using the gyroscope or the A and B buttons to move the plate on the LED screen. Advanced skills - linking sound inputs, light sensors, movement sensors to create a number of outcomes.

I will be able to effectively use the Micro: Bit, by reading and writing various programmes, loading them on the physical / virtual Micro: Bit, and then testing to ensure they function in the way that they should.  

I will be able to experiment with the code to challenge and extend my capabilities with the Micro: Bit and share my experiences with others

I will complete an end of unit assessment on the Micro: Bit, demonstrating my knowledge and understanding of the code.  

I will also be assessed in a lesson by lesson by producing working code as I work through the unit of work.

As part of the Year 7 Curriculum model all students will undertake a typing development course. This consists of - Beginner, intermediate and advanced typing lessons; weekly testing; literacy development, learning through gameplay, and is tracked throughout the year based on WPM (words per min) and Accuracy (out of 100%)

Completion of typing lessons to a high degree of accuracy (above 95%) 

Typing speed and accuracy that has shown improvement over time, working from base levels to increasing WPM and Accuracy.

I will be assessed through multiple timed tests and page based assessments, my teacher will record the progress made over time.  

Understanding computers

Elements of a computer - CPU, RAM, hard drives, Motherboard, Network Adapters, USB connections.

The CPU - Central Processing Unit - Clock speed, frequency, number of cycles per second, Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle.

Binary Numbers - linked to Year 7 topic, how they process through the CPU.

Binary additions and ASCII - recap learning from Year 7.

Storage devices - internal and external, benefits of each, working out file sizes and storage capabilities.

I will be able to explain the key parts of a computer device.

I will demonstrate understanding of how a CPU works and the clock speed determines how quickly it will function.

I will be able to convert binary to denary and back again.

I will demonstrate understanding of storage devices and the advantages of using them.

I will be formally assessed at end of the unit, by completing a 40 question assessment.

HTML - Hyper Text Mark-up Language, how it is structured into head and body sections, basic understanding of .

CSS - how it develops the styling of a page, colour, layout, padding, borders, spacing etc.

Designs - using tools such as alignment, hexadecimal colour codes and images/gifs to build a web page.

Development into a website - functioning pages, and/or links to external sites.

Creating a web form - allowing user to input and have details stored as an outcome.

I will be able to create a number of individual web-based pages that are saved to my personal area.

I will be able to demonstrate effectively laying out text, images, and moving content on each web page.

I will be able demonstrate how to link the pages together to make a more effective web site, that could be published.

I will be assessed throughout each lesson by producing working web-pages that demonstrate the skills learnt.

I will be formally assessed at end of the unit, by producing a working website that is fully functional.

The internet - how inter-connected networks form the internet, cable connections underground, in the oceans and wireless connections bring the internet together. Connectivity - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and how we use a WAN and PANs.

Topologies - Bus, Star and Ring networks, advantages of each and drawbacks. Client / server networks - how they enable users to access accounts from multiple devices, benefits and drawbacks of using client / server network.

Encryption - how messages are encoded, decoded and read.

I will be able to demonstrate understanding of how the internet is devised across the globe linking to cabling and how we connect to other countries / continents.

I will be able to decipher between different types of network based on the scenario.

I will be able to select the appropriate topology for a given network, and explain why.

I will be assessed ion lesson through various activities to check my understanding including questioning from teacher, lesson activities that apply my knowledge.

Design Principles - layout, colours, whitespace, fonts, symbols.

Navigation features - linking input buttons and output screens.

Deciding on content - Film, TV, Gaming platforms.

Ease of use - breadcrumbs and how they support the user, symbols to help with specific audiences.

I will be able to apply a range of design principles to my own interface to create a fully functional interface.

I will be able to add navigational features using hyperlinks.

I will be able to determine for appropriate images and content for my interface to meet client requirements.

I will demonstrate my understanding of accessibility by adding in features to support a range of needs.

I will be assess through my final product I produce as a working interface.

I will also be formally assessed through a digitally completed assessment on Microsoft forms.

Final KS3 component - online national award that covers a Bronze, Silver and Gold standard. Students work through "Badges" related to Worker, Maker, Citizen and Entrepreneur skills. This is a personal journey where students can select what they want to learn about within the award.  

Topics will include: - 

E-safety, GDPR, What is the cloud, Cyber Security, Coding, Problem solving with AI, Automation, GIF making, Graphic Design, Block chain, Advertising and many more.  

250 points to achieve Bronze standard - with badges awarded between 5 and 12 points per badge.  

400 points to achieve Silver - badges are set at 20, 30 and 50pts for each stage.  

500 points to achieve Gold, with badges range from 30-35points per badge.

I will be able to demonstrate my ability to work independently, and effectively use my time in lessons to complete the expected number of badges and points.  

I will complete the Bronze award fully and complete within the designated timeframe of one term.  

I will challenge myself to complete the Silver award as well, further enhancing my digital skills. 

I will be assessed in every badge I complete, through completion of tasks and / or mini quiz questions.  

I will demonstrate progress through my personal account and completing necessary badges to complete each of the four sections needed.

Binary, binary addition, shifts - through multiplication and division.

Signed and unsigned Binary numbers using Sign and magnitude and Two's complement binary numbers.

Bitmap and image representation.

Flow charts and how they are structured.

Students will be able to understand the basics to 1’s and 0’s and how binary is constructed and apply to basic changes from decimal to binary and back again.

Students will demonstrate ability to apply binary shifts to multiply and divide numbers and converts to decimal.

Students will understand and apply sign and magnitude and two’s compliment to binary numbers.  

Students will be able to create bitmap images and link to binary numbers and how these are created applying expressions as appropriate.

End of unit formative assessment.

Introduction to the CPU, The Fetch - Decode - Execute cycle, Secondary Storage and how data can be stored.

Optical and magnetic storage - pits and lands and how they are formed.

Computer specs and how they impact performance.

Programming - selection - While loops, Trace Tables, for loops, data validation. 

I will be able to demonstrate understanding of the FDE cycle, what happens at each stage, and what hardware is responsible for this process.

I will be able to show understanding of how files are stored within sectors of a HDD and link to how files are loaded.

I will understand performance of CPU’s, cores and how this impacts on instructions that can be processed per second.

Students will create pieces of code that uses selection (IF) and adds iteration (while loops) to create looping mechanisms within code.

Weekly homework will assess understanding of class based topics.

End of unit formative assessment.

Introduction to networks – why computers are connected in networks.  
Different Types of networks  
How the internet is structured   
Characteristics of wired and wireless connections  
Network speeds and measurements, looking at expressions involving file size, transmission rate and time.  
Roles and need for network protocols. 
What the four-layer model is and how it handles data  
Identify the range of topologies  
Intro to network security – how to identify weaknesses and methods of device, network protection. 

Security and Cyber Crime

Programming

Cyber crime and hacker motivation – reasons for hacking (fun/challenge, personal revenge, financial gain, disruption, data theft, industrial espionage), security – physical and digital, software design and where are the dangers.

Programming - records and dictionaries, reading and writing to files.

Working with CSV files and how we import them.

How does technology impact us – society as a whole and individually, what laws are in place, data protection and copyright, FOI (freedom of information) act and CMI (Computer Misuse) act. Cultural impacts, technology and privacy.

Programming - Battle boats platform – exam based questions and problems, walkthrough and team challenges.

Students will be able to understand and explain the different types of hackers, link to scenarios the reasons why hackers do what they do.

Students will link to problems the ways that business and individuals can be more secure, explaining why they chose the method and how that limits risk.

Students will understand and apply a range of dictionaries in python programming, linking to reading of writing files, from given CSV (comma separated value) files.

Students will be able to discuss the different acts that are involved in using of computer systems, and where businesses can fall foul of them, and be able to explain the implications of them.

Weekly homework will assess understanding of class based topics.

End of unit formative assessment.