Students at Morton Academy follow a varied and ambitious Computing curriculum at KS3 to help them take their place in the world. Our mission is to give all our students an opportunity to engage with a wide range of topics that cover all three strands of computing – computer science, digital literacy, and information technology.

Computer Science teaches students what algorithms are – this is the basis of what they need to know to write computer programs using high-level programming languages like Python. Pupils will read and write algorithms and programs, find and fix mistakes (bugs) and apply the concepts of computational thinking (abstraction, decomposition, and algorithmic thinking) to solve various computing and real-life problems. Students will learn about binary number system and Boolean logic to help them understand how data is stored digitally.

Digital Literacy focuses on ensuring that all students know how to use technology safely and responsibly. Students will learn about how to keep their personal information private, how to treat other people online with respect, what to do if something goes wrong, or if they see something they do not like. Students will also explore computer legislation such as Data Protection Act, Copyright, Patents and Designs Act and Computer Misuse Act.  

Information Technology focuses on teaching students how to use technology to support other subject areas. Students will understand that technology is everywhere, be able to identify technology they encounter and have a basic understanding of how it works. Students will also learn how to create digital artifacts whilst being aware of audience and good design principles. Pupils will experience a range of different applications and software. Finally, students will learn how to store and organise their files so that they can be easily found again, and how computers work from the inside out – this includes: hardware and software and computer networks.

The KS3 Computing curriculum at Morton Academy is designed to prepare our students for Computing GCSE options subjects. We currently offer the following KS4 qualifications:

• OCR J277 Computer Science
• Creative Media

Our curriculum vision is to raise aspirations of all students by promoting love for the subject and passion for learning. It is our intent to provide an outstand education through dynamic and excellent curriculum which has been carefully constructed to prepare our students for success.

We want our students to secure outstanding outcomes by ensuring that our curriculum not only covers the National Curriculum but goes even further to create talented individuals that are ready to change the world. Thorough and frequent assessments, excellent teaching, well-planned curriculum, and co-curricular opportunities for our students help us ensure that the Computing education at Morton Academy is purposeful and effective.

Our lessons are rich in information about careers and further education embedded into resources with the aim of exposing students to future opportunities that they may choose to explore after they complete their education at our Academy.

Computing department recognises that for students to aspire and be successful academically and in the wider areas of their lives, they need to be given rich and sustained opportunities to develop their cultural capital and create educated citizens. Cultural capital is the bank of cultural experiences that students can gain from education with us. We teach our students essential computing skills to help them succeed in life.

Throughout KS3 and KS4 there are opportunities for students to access varied curriculum that is ambitious and goes beyond that the National Curriculum requires. From the onset we focus on ensuring that our students are aware of the ethical, legal, environmental, and cultural issues related to computer science. Students are regularly reminded how to be respectful digital citizens. A solid understanding of how technology works from the inside out and how it affects the real world is vital for students to be able to succeed once they leave us.

Computer science knowledge and skills enable students to take an active part in the design, development, and creation of new technologies to be used in the world which they live in. There is currently a worldwide digital skills shortage, so it is vital that our students are equipped with the vocabulary and skills to access and thrive in this new digital world. Students develop problem solving skills.

Good quality digital and IT skills enable students to engage positively within the modern workplace. All students in our Academy have access to wide range of technology and are able to use software and hardware they may not normally have access to at home. Creative media equips our students with knowledge and practical skills to enable them to create digital artifacts that can be used across virtually all industries. Furthermore, creative media gives our students project management skills, digital design, and IT skills, as well as ability to work to deadlines. Students will work to different client briefs for different audiences to expose them to the variability of the real life and the situations in the workplace.

Learners with improved computer skills enjoy an enriched educational experience and are better prepared for further learning, work, and life. Our Computing curriculum had CEIAG (careers education, information, advice and guidance) deeply embedded into its resources to continually expose students to the world of work and the opportunities that are out there for them.

The Computing department gives pupils opportunities to attend industry visits related to computer science. These include trips to Carlisle Airport, Amazon Fulfilment Centres, local colleges, and The Science Museum. Former students are invited back to speak to our current students about what they are doing now and how further education/careers in computer science changed their lives.

To prepare our students for the world of work we help our students create their CVs. They use their computing skills and our guidance to create professional documents that will help them stand out from the crowd.

We aim to empower young people to plan and manage their own futures. We do this by responding to the needs of each learning and providing comprehensive information and advice. Computing raises aspirations as well as actively promotes equality and systemic bias. Our curriculum challenges stereotypes and helps students become open-minded. Computing-focused career assemblies are delivered to students to expose them to the possibilities waiting for them.

Tomasz Zasadzinski - Subject Leader

Michael McClelland - Computing Teacher

Andrew Harding - Computing Teacher

Matt Forrest - Computing Teacher