Computer Science
What will teaching look like in 2100? How will computer science and the use of new technology shape the world we live in and how fast will students need to move to keep up?
Leeds, Bradford, Hull and East Yorkshire Code
Course Information
All secondary trainees receive 2 hours of subject training per week, led by a highly experienced subject leader, who has a strong track-record of outstanding results in schools in the GORSE Academies Trust. This ensures that training is highly tailored to delivery to pupils in KS3, 4 and 5, and covers all areas of subject knowledge and disciplinary skills. We offer great insights into how outstanding schools operate and what we do as teachers to continue to inspire and encourage pupils in a love of Computer Science.
Course content includes:
– KS1 and KS2 – We will look at the early requirements for computer science teaching and the level of knowledge that primary students should understand. We will look at the connections to the KS3 curriculum and beyond.
– KS3 – We investigate the requirements of KS3 and develop lessons to teach complex topics at an introductory level. We will look at how you can tailor content to suit a variety of learners.
– KS4 – We will focus on the teaching of the subject at GCSE and look at a range of exam boards and the connections between them. We will develop engaging and informative lessons and you will understand the level of knowledge required to teach and succeed at this level.
– KS5 – Looking ahead to A-Level study, we will review the importance of strong foundational teaching to increase the chances of success at this level. We will see how the knowledge builds all the way from KS1 to KS5.
– Programming – You will tackle a wide range of programming projects, using a variety of languages. You will learn how to troubleshoot code and what the current evidence-based methods are for teaching code to students. We will look at the PRIMM methodology and how it can help you to allow students to develop confidence.
Meet the Computer Science Subject Lead
Andy O’Hara
Ever since Moore’s Law was postulated, we have recognised that technological developments in computing have transformed the world profoundly. Students need to become digitally literate from an early age, and it cannot be assumed that they gain this knowledge from using phones and the internet. They need to know from early on how to access the internet safely and have e-safety taught lessons. The course programme will allow you to see connections between key stages and how to become a technology champion in your schools.
Throughout the first three years of a secondary education students will have mandatory lessons in computer science; here they can be exposed to programming and the mathematics of the subject. Students who choose to take on the subject in KS4 and KS5 will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of the subject and the beauty that lies in the subject content.
Programming is a skill that is interwoven throughout the subject content, and students need to develop skills to decompose problems and abstract key points from a wide range of contexts. Students need to be exposed to a wide range of programming languages and taught the skills to tackle a variety of computational problems, applying both logic and maths. Our training programme ensures that you are kept abreast of the most up to date pedagogies in computer science teaching. It looks at issues facing the subject, including the need to encourage female students to develop passion for the subject and see them take the subject through to higher education.
We will deliver high quality, highly personalised and research driven weekly sessions, which will both enhance trainees’ subject knowledge, whilst equipping them with the pedagogical tools to bring our subject to life in the classroom. Underpinned by research and years of teaching experience, not only will our sessions align to the Core Content Framework and our central training, but they will go above and beyond these training requirements by ensuring that all trainees are equipped with the pre-requisite knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to teach Computer Science to the highest of standards. You can inspire the next round of engineers and you can look forward to seeing how they impact the technology world.
