Curriculum

Computing

Computing is viewed at Tiffin as a means of expressing oneself – it can help your message reach a wide audience, it can provide a structure to help you form your ideas and it can boost your creative process in terms of speed and quality.

KS3

Every student receives an Chromebook for their use throughout their time at Tiffin, and these devices are utilised in most lessons.  However, in Year 7, students are introduced to their Chromebooks during Computing lessons and shown how to maximise their usage. Using their Chromebooks, students are introduced to and develop intermediate skills in a range of Google Suite applications through creative individual projects.

In terms of coding, we introduce visual coding first using the Microsoft make code frontend which enables students to program microbits and move:mini robots (also driven by microbits). At this point we expect them to understand the big picture – why code is necessary and how it controls computers. Next, they hone their ability to design algorithms by solving foobot challenges. Foobot is a simulated robot which interprets javascript, but there are a far smaller set of commands that the students need to learn. This enables them to focus on key programming concepts such as flow control, conditional execution – and also enables them to write their first actual code in a controlled simplified environment that provides instant feedback. Once they have a strong understanding of algorithms we cover an introductory javascript course.

Students also learn to express themselves artistically by learning two Adobe packages – Illustrator for vector art, and Photoshop for raster art.

KS4

At GCSE, students follow the OCR Computing for GCSE Course. In Year 10 they gain an overview of computer systems and networks and then consider ethical and cultural issues related to the impact of technology on society. In year 11, students learn about specific search and sorting algorithms, also some software development concepts which include IDEs, debugging, and testing. All the way through the GCSE course, students complete a javascript course which includes programming challenges that require them to write their own code which passes parameterised unit tests (similar to hackerrank and other code challenge websites).