2 minute read
Computing
Computing lessons at KS3 consist of a mix of Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Computer Science is the subject with the greatest gender imbalance at GCSE and A level so at RHS, we challenge this kind of stereotyping by giving our girls the opportunity to be creative and make lessons relevant and exciting for all. The Key Stage 3 curriculum focuses on skills building rather than knowledge, namely problem solving, independent learning, resilience and computational thinking
Key Topics and Projects
In Year 7 in the Autumn term, the girls learn how to use Microsoft software so that it can be used with confidence across all subjects. There is also a focus on safe and effective communication.
They then look at problem solving and independent learning, using the programming language Scratch with a geometry theme. Students can access a range of programming levels to suit their prior experiences. The year finishes by looking at digital images and design. In Year 8 Computing is on a rotation with the three other technology subjects. Students develop their text-based programming skills, using Python turtle which helps to visualise how a program works so they can focus on the logic and organisation of code. There is a range of differentiated tasks to challenge the more experienced coders. They then get to create a simple interactive image constructed entirely of HTML and JavaScript code. This is an independent learning project which challenges the girls to work with example code they need to adapt, without being taught in the traditional sense. The rotation finishes with some cyber security lessons. In Year 9, there is one lesson a week and the projects are split so that girls have a taste of the two Key Stage 4 options: GCSE Computer Science and Graphic Design. Students get to play and make simple games using more complex aspects of the programming, making a text-based adventure game in either Python or MS Forms. They then build on the HTML skills from year 8, making an interactive website and and then further develop the theory and practical applications of digital graphics. The year 9 curriculum also includes 5 digital safety lessons.
RHS Learner Qualities
The Learner Qualities are fully integrated into lesson objectives, resources and outcomes with a particular focus on brave, creative and inquisitive. Reflective self-evaluation is used to check which of the key skills have been improved through that project.
Co-curricular
Outside the classroom, all girls are entered in the annual Bebras computational thinking competition. The top 10% in the country are invited to a further competition in March, and in 2021, we had 21 girls doing just that. All girls in Year 8 get an opportunity to enter the Cyber First Girls competition in November and there have been further cyber security opportunities run by the Smallpeice Trust and Unlock Cyber. We also participate in the annual GDST Techathon in London will resume, giving students an opportunity for collaboration across a number of schools in hands-on co-curricular clubs.
Our aspiration is to move towards a creative technology curriculum which will include AR/VR, robotics, graphic design, CAD and game design.
