National Curriculum
78 lessons across 6 units
Abstraction — keeping the important detail and removing the rest
Algorithms as a step-by-step set of instructions
Comparing sorting algorithms — bubble vs insertion sort
Comparing the efficiency of linear vs binary search
Decomposition — breaking a problem into smaller parts
Drawing algorithms as flowcharts
Searching: linear search
Sorting: bubble sort at a Y8 level
Binary addition
Boolean logic: AND, OR, NOT
Charts, summaries and answering questions from data
Collecting and recording data accurately
Compressing data — why and how (lossy vs lossless overview)
Converting between binary and denary (decimal)
Hexadecimal — what it is and why we use it
Modelling data with spreadsheets — cells, formulas, basic functions
Representing images in binary — pixels and colour depth
Representing sound in binary — sampling and frequency
Representing text in binary using ASCII
Representing whole numbers in binary
Training a simple machine-learning model on the micro:bit
Truth tables for simple Boolean expressions
Using data science to ask and answer questions
Using data science to investigate a real dataset
What is machine learning?
Why computers use binary
Copyright, attribution and using digital content responsibly
Defending against cyber threats: firewalls, antivirus, updates, MFA
Designing a vector graphic for a purpose
Designing and animating a 3D scene
Designing clear digital messages and posters for an audience
Ethics in computing: bias, accessibility and responsible design
Malware: viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware
Protecting your online identity, privacy and digital footprint
Recognising inappropriate content, contact and conduct online
Recognising misinformation online
Social engineering: phishing, pretexting and tailgating
Strong passwords and basic account security
Using digital media to make a case for a cause
Using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly online
Vector graphics and how they differ from bitmap images
What is cybersecurity?
A short history of communication — from semaphores to the internet
Client-server vs peer-to-peer networks
How data is broken into packets and sent across networks
How the internet routes data — IP addresses, DNS and routing
How web pages are built — HTML basics
Styling web pages with CSS basics
The internet vs the World Wide Web
What is a computer network?
Wired vs wireless connections; common network hardware
Building and testing a simple mobile app
Designing a mobile app for a user need
Designing and building a small game in Scratch
Designing modular programs with functions in Python
Iterating over sequences in Python
Iteration (repeat / forever / repeat-until) in a block-based language
Iteration in Python: FOR loops
Iteration in Python: WHILE loops
Lists in Python — creating, indexing, modifying
Parameters, arguments and return values
Physical computing with the BBC micro:bit — inputs and outputs
Python output, input and variables
Reading and understanding Python error messages
Recap of Python basics from Year 8
Selection (IF / IF-ELSE) in a block-based language
Selection in Python — IF / ELIF / ELSE
Sensing the environment with the micro:bit
Sequence in a block-based language (Scratch / MakeCode)
Strings as sequences in Python
Variables in a block-based language
Why move from block-based to text-based programming?
Input, process, output, storage — the four-stage model
Inside the CPU: fetch–decode–execute (Y8 level)
The CPU and main memory at a Year-7 level
The four layers of a computer system: hardware, OS, application, user
Types of storage: RAM, ROM, secondary storage
What is hardware? What is software?