Year 8 Computing

What will my child study in Computing during Year 8?

In Year 8 all students will be following the Computing Programme of Study. Throughout Key Stage 3 students study computing for one lesson each week. In addition, students will have the opportunity to use computer suites and mobile technology across the curriculum.

The content of the course is as follows:

How will my child be assessed and how will I know how well they are doing in Computing in Year 8?

• Students will complete a range of homework using Microsoft Teams, and other software applications. This classwork will be used alongside formal assessments.

• Microsoft Teams will be used to formally assess students including a Baseline Assessment at the beginning of Year 8, and for end of unit assessments

What homework will my child be expected to do in Year 8 in Computing?

• Homework is set at least once every half term and will normally take up to an hour to complete. All homework will be carried out using some form of online software, so students will need access to a digital device.

How can I support my child to do well in Computing during Year 8?

• If you have access to a computer, having a python IDE such as (Code With Mu) installed on your computer will allow students to continue with their python development at home. However all software is available at school and arrangements can be made for those who would like additional support.

What equipment may my child need in addition to the standard school equipment?

• It is not expected that students will have access to a computer and specific software packages at home. If these are needed students may use the facilities in school.

By the end of the year, what would an 'expert' be able to do in Computing?

Algorithms

• Designs solutions (algorithms) that use repetition and two-way selection i.e. if, then and else.

• Uses logical reasoning to predict outputs, showing an awareness of inputs.

• Designs solutions by decomposing a problem and creates a sub-solution for each of these parts.

• Recognises that different solutions exist for the same problem.

Programming and development

• Creates programs that implement algorithms to achieve given goals.

• Declares and assigns variables.

• Uses sequence of selection statements in programs, including an if, then and else statement.

• Understands the difference between, and appropriately uses if and if, then and else statements.

Data and Data Representation

• Understand why Binary is used within Computers and where it is used within Computing

• Be able to convert between Denary and Binary Numbers

• May be able to perform simple addition of Binary Numbers

• Be able to understand simple Data Representation of Images

Hardware and Processing

• Knows that computers collect data from various input devices, including sensors and application software.

• Understands the difference between hardware and application software, and their roles within a computer system

• Understands the main functions of the operating system.

• Knows the difference between physical, wireless and mobile networks.

Communication and networks

• Understands the difference between the internet and internet service e.g. world wide web.
• Shows an awareness of, and can use a range of internet services e.g. VOIP.
• Recognises what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour when using technologies and online services.
• Understands how to effectively use search engines, and knows how search results are selected, including that search engines use ‘web crawler programs.
• Demonstrates responsible use of technologies and online services, and knows a range of ways to report concerns.
• Understands how search engines rank search results.
• Understands data transmission between digital computers over networks, including the internet i.e. IP addresses and packet switching.
• Knows the names of hardware e.g. hubs, routers, switches, and the names of protocols e.g. SMTP, iMAP, POP, FTP, TCP/ IP, associated with networking computer systems.
• Uses technologies and online services securely, and knows how to identify and report inappropriate conduct.

Information technology

• Collects, organises and presents data and information in digital content.

• Creates digital content to achieve a given goal through combining software packages

• Makes appropriate improvements to solutions based on feedback received, and can comment on the success of the solution.

• Makes judgements about digital content when evaluating and repurposing it for a given audience.

• Recognises the audience when designing and creating digital content.

• Understands the potential of information technology for collaboration when computers are networked.

• Uses criteria to evaluate the quality of solutions, can identify improvements making some refinements to the solution, and future solutions.

My child is struggling during the course, what additional help is available to help them keep up?

• BBC Bitesize has a range of excellent information and resources that cover the computing national curriculum in full.
• All classwork and resources can be accessed remotely through Microsoft teams, using the student's Office 365 login details. 

Updated August 2023