Computer Science Curriculum Intent

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‘Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes’

Edsger Wybe Dijkstra

At Toot Hill School we deliver a high-quality ICT and computing curriculum which empowers our students to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The core of computing is computer science, where our curriculum is designed to teach the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, our pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Our ambitious curriculum also ensures that students at Toot Hill School become digitally literate. Students are able to use information and communication technology, express themselves and develop their ideas through this medium. Through our vocational IT curriculum, students are gifted the confidence to apply a high level of technical skill which can be applied in a business environment. In an ever-evolving culture, our pupils will be equipped to become active participants and pioneers in a digital world.

Whilst our ICT and Computing curriculum utilises the National Curriculum as its anchor, we also choose to teach our students:

• The languages and key design principles behind web design, including HTML, CSS and JavaScript to enable them to create bespoke and engaging web sites;
• Mobile App design using the ‘App Lab’ environment where students will design, project manage and develop their own mobile app. This will develop our students’ cultural capital by up skilling them in a relevant and lucrative technology;
• The fundamentals of object-oriented programming to allow students to create multiple instances of a class, to equip them with the knowledge and skills to develop more elegant solutions to problems;
• The utilisation of an industry standard multimedia design package to enhance pupils’ skills to create professional products to a high standard;
• To explore wider reading opportunities across the curriculum to develop a deeper connection with the real-life business implementation of the curriculum to support a future career in ICT.