KS3

The KS3 ICT curriculum develops students' digital literacy, computational thinking, and practical technology skills. Students learn to use a range of digital tools effectively and safely while gaining an understanding of how technology is used in education, work, and everyday life.

Key areas of study include:

• Digital Literacy: Effective use of digital devices, file management, online research, and evaluating the reliability of information.
• Information Technology: Creating and formatting documents, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, and multimedia products.
• Computing and Programming: Understanding algorithms, computational thinking, problem-solving, and introductory programming concepts.
• Data Handling: Collecting, analysing, interpreting, and presenting data using appropriate software tools.
• Online Safety and Cybersecurity: Safe and responsible use of technology, protecting personal information, recognising online risks, and understanding digital footprints.
• Digital Media: Creating and editing images, audio, video, websites, and other digital content for different audiences and purposes.
• Emerging Technologies: Exploring developments such as artificial intelligence, automation, and the impact of technology on society.

Throughout KS3, students develop creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills while becoming confident, responsible, and independent users of technology.

KS4

KS4 students will be working towards their BTEC Workskills and Digital Functional Skills qualifications. Students will utilise skills taught throughout KS3 in supporting their studies, where independent research, evidence gathering, and digital literacy are essential. By revisiting and applying the five core ICT modules, students solidify their understanding to transfer prior learning into new contexts and develop the digital skills required for future coursework and assessment. 

Intent

At Marland, we recognise that Computing and ICT play a significant role in everyday life and are essential skills for future success. We aim to inspire students to engage positively with technology and develop the confidence, knowledge and creativity needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Our Computing and ICT curriculum is designed around three key intentions:

• To develop students’ confidence in using technology in their daily lives, enabling them to navigate the digital world safely and independently.
• To build strong functional skills through the acquisition of knowledge and practical experience, preparing students to use a wide range of technologies with competence and ease.
• To promote creativity by encouraging students to use technology as a tool for self-expression, problem-solving and innovation.

Through these aims, we seek to equip students with the skills they need for lifelong learning, employment and active participation in modern society.

Implementation

Computing and ICT are embedded throughout our broad and bespoke curriculum and are incorporated into a range of subjects and learning experiences. Students regularly apply the skills they develop during Computing and ICT lessons across other curriculum areas, supporting meaningful cross-curricular learning opportunities.

Through subject-specific and group-based activities, students use technology to research, develop, present and enhance their learning. This enables them to understand how digital skills can be transferred and applied in a variety of contexts.

The curriculum follows a structured progression, allowing students to build upon prior learning and develop long-term knowledge retention. Learning is carefully sequenced to ensure students gain the skills and understanding required to work towards recognised qualifications, whilst also developing the digital literacy needed for life beyond school.

Online safety is a key aspect of the curriculum, ensuring students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world responsibly and safely.

Impact

Students develop the confidence and independence to use technology effectively in both their education and everyday lives. They demonstrate an understanding of how to make informed decisions online, helping them to remain safe whilst engaging with the digital world.

As students progress through the curriculum, they develop the skills needed to complete independent tasks, communicate effectively and utilise technology to support their learning and personal development. They are able to discuss and reflect on how technology has helped them achieve their goals and solve problems.

The Computing and ICT curriculum provides clear pathways towards a range of qualifications, beginning with AQA Unit Awards and progressing to accredited qualifications where appropriate. These achievements support students in preparing for adulthood, further education and employment.

Students produce a wide variety of digital outcomes, including documents, presentations, digital artwork, photography and coding projects. By incorporating their own interests, hobbies and aspirations into their work, students engage in meaningful learning experiences that reflect the personalised nature of our curriculum.

Ultimately, students leave school with the confidence, knowledge and skills to participate safely, creatively and independently in an ever-evolving technological world.

Opportunities for Reading

Students will read in most lessons using the web to find specific information. These pieces of text can support learners with research, as well as learning about historical figures who have played a key part in the digital world. Students will learn to create a range of documents that follow on from reading that they have done in prior lessons and subjects. Key strategies related to supporting SEMH development will be used throughout Thrive sessions and structured timetables.

E-Safety

E-Safety is at the forefront of all ICT lessons, and understanding our student’s needs requires that we are vigilant to the content and exposure that can have a negative impact on our young people, and their view of the digital world. Our E-Safety/CEOP Education Ambassador promotes a deep understanding of the ways we can keep students safe which include filtering, student settings, informative posters, responding to safeguarding concerns, checking health and safety in a physical aspect, as well as teaching students to recognise when they are feeling uncomfortable and signposting them to relevant support.