Computing
The Computing curriculum at Trinity is designed to equip students to be safe and active participants in the digital world. We challenge students to develop skills in logical thinking to enable problem-solving, digital literacy to ensure they can be active participants in a digital world, digital numeracy to support logical thinking and reasoning and programming to support sequencing and problem solving. The study of Computing enables students to develop their understanding of current and emerging computing and algorithmic technologies and understand how they work. There is a significant shortage of properly qualified computer scientists in a wide variety of fields including software development, electronic engineering, aerospace design, cybersecurity and medicine. Computing at Trinity therefore opens up to our students’ opportunities in these areas.
By the end of key stage 3 students develop confidence in programming using Scratch which leads to the creation of a computer game; have been introduced to hardware and software; developed confidence in HTML coding as well as getting to know how to use the network and access all of the features that it provides, including Office 365, OneDrive and Show My Homework. Later on the in the key stage students explore the digital world further, how to stay safe online and they become proficient at Binary and are introduced to programming in Python.
Throughout the GCSE course students acquire and apply knowledge and technical skills to develop an understanding of the use of algorithms in computer programs to solve problems using Python. Students acquire knowledge and skills in the following areas: systems architecture, memory, storage, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, protocols and layers, system security, system software and ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns, algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic, translators and facilities of languages, data representation. The programming component assesses students’ ability to solve a programming related set of tasks. Students analyse situations, design an appropriate solution to code the solution in Python and then test it fully to prove that it meets all the requirements as specified in the brief.
In the Sixth form the department offers an Extended Certificate in IT. Students will develop an understanding of Information Technology and how it is used within a Business environment. The will also examine in depth the flow of information within an organization and in the public domain. They will look at techniques pertaining to cybersecurity, looking at how to mitigate threats. Throughout they will look at project management techniques and the planning of projects.
Computing Department Inclusion Statement
The Computing Department is committed to delivering an ambitious, inclusive and engaging curriculum that enables every student to succeed, regardless of their starting point, background or individual need. We believe that all students should develop computational thinking, digital literacy, problem-solving skills and the confidence to apply technology creatively and responsibly in an increasingly digital world. Through our curriculum, students build resilience, logical reasoning, independence and analytical thinking, preparing them not only for success in Computing but also for further education, employment and everyday life. We maintain high expectations for every learner and are committed to ensuring that all students feel valued, represented and capable of achieving within Computing.
Inclusive practice underpins everything we do. Our classrooms are carefully structured to promote participation, confidence and success through consistent routines, purposeful classroom organisation and high-quality teaching. Seating plans are thoughtfully designed to support individual learning needs, ensuring that students can fully engage with teacher explanations, demonstrations and practical activities. Teachers use adaptive teaching strategies to remove barriers to learning without reducing curriculum ambition. This includes the use of accessible digital resources, live modelling, worked examples, visual supports, scaffolded programming tasks, chunked instructions, explicit vocabulary teaching and regular checks for understanding. Practical demonstrations, retrieval practice and carefully sequenced learning allow students to build knowledge and confidence securely over time. Through close collaboration with SEND and pastoral colleagues, we ensure that individual needs are understood and supported so that every student can access the full breadth of the Computing curriculum.
Accessibility is embedded within the design of our curriculum and resources. Wherever possible, resources are designed to be universally accessible rather than adapted retrospectively for individual groups of students. Digital resources are organised using clear and consistent naming conventions, enabling students to navigate materials independently and confidently. Fonts, layouts and presentation are carefully considered to maximise readability, while digital technologies provide opportunities for students to work in ways that best support their individual learning needs. This inclusive-by-design approach ensures that all students work from the same high-quality resources, promoting independence, consistency and a shared classroom experience.
Our inclusive approach reflects the principles of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework by ensuring that the curriculum remains ambitious, knowledge-rich and accessible to all learners. Learning is carefully sequenced so that students progressively develop computational thinking, programming knowledge and digital literacy, while adaptive teaching enables every learner to engage with appropriately challenging content. We foster classrooms where students feel safe, respected and confident to contribute, take risks and learn from mistakes. Alongside academic achievement, we actively promote resilience, collaboration, creativity and responsible digital citizenship. As a department, we continually evaluate our provision and engage in professional development to strengthen inclusive teaching and improve outcomes for all learners.
Our curriculum provides a strong foundation for future study at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. By developing secure substantive knowledge alongside practical and disciplinary skills, students are well prepared for the demands of GCSE and post-16 Computing qualifications. Planned opportunities to revisit key concepts strengthen long-term understanding and enable students to make meaningful connections across different areas of Computing. Alongside technical knowledge, students develop the literacy, numeracy, problem-solving and evaluative skills that underpin success in further education, employment and an increasingly digital society.
We recognise that inclusion extends beyond the classroom. Through coding clubs, competitions, enrichment activities and wider opportunities to explore technology, students are encouraged to develop their interests, creativity and confidence within Computing. Wherever possible, reasonable adjustments are made to ensure that all students can participate fully and benefit from these experiences.
Through ongoing reflection, collaboration and continuous improvement, we strive to create a Computing Department where every student feels included, challenged, supported and inspired to become confident, capable and responsible users and creators of technology.
