Computer Science
Introduction
At SGGS, we believe that Computer Science isn’t just about using technology - it’s about understanding it, shaping it and having the confidence to ask, what if? Women have played a defining role in the story of computing, from the codebreakers at Bletchley Park to NASA engineers and the pioneers of early programming. That legacy matters and we want our students to see themselves as part of it.
Our aim is simple: to build real technical skill while also inspiring ambition. We want students to feel confident writing code, solving problems, and exploring how technology is built and used in the world around them. We believe bright, curious girls should choose Computer Science - and that the experience they get here genuinely stands out.
Everything we teach is built around clear progression, creative thinking and purposeful challenge. Students learn through doing; from block-based coding in Year 7 to full software projects at A-Level - and every step is supported with online resources, recorded lessons and personalised feedback through platforms like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and Stream.
We don’t just teach students how to use technology. We help them see where it can take them.
Key Stage 3 - Building Confidence and Curiosity
Our KS3 curriculum mixes traditional computing foundations with fresh, hands-on experiences. Each year has its own rhythm, with purposeful links to the real world, creative projects, and the wider school curriculum.
Year 7
We start with the basics; getting confident with school systems and digital tools. Students then jump into Minecraft to explore purposeful design and collaboration, before looking at how we present ourselves online and stay safe. We finish the year with a mix of coding and creativity -from Scratch game design to a music technology crossover project in BandLab.
Year 8
Year 8 takes things up a notch. Students learn how hacking, phishing and other cybersecurity threats work—and how to protect themselves. They build websites with HTML and CSS, take part in the CyberFirst Girls Competition and sharpen their everyday ICT skills. We also get hands-on with physical computing, using sensors, flying drones and exploring robotics to see how automation is shaping the future. The year ends with an introduction to Python and a creative coding project.
Year 9
Our final KS3 year builds toward GCSE. Students dig deeper into data privacy, online platforms and digital behaviour. They then move into Python programming using Minecraft, building logic and structure before transitioning into text-based projects using regular Python. We also explore AI, ethics and future technologies, encouraging students to think critically and lead their own investigations. We end with a creative cross-curricular Surrealism project, combining art and tech in 3D digital landscapes.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum - GCSE Computer Science (OCR J277)
https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j277-from-2020/
In Years 10 and 11, students study OCR’s GCSE Computer Science course. It’s hands-on, challenging and gives a real understanding of how computers work - under the surface. From writing code to understanding the architecture that runs it, the course builds a toolkit of skills that students can take into all kinds of future paths.
We spend a lot of time developing programming skills in Python, using real examples and building confidence in problem-solving. Students learn how to break tasks down, work systematically and make sure their solutions are logical and efficient. Alongside that, we explore key theory topics like networks, cybersecurity, binary, logic gates, memory, storage and system architecture.
Our approach uses a spiral curriculum - we revisit core ideas from earlier years and build on them. So for example, a simple loop in Year 8 becomes a refined, validated program handling multiple files in Year 11. This way, understanding deepens naturally and students feel that sense of progression without starting from scratch each time.
We also look at the bigger picture; how Computer Science fits into the real world. Students discuss ethical and legal issues, consider the impact of AI and explore how digital technologies are shaping society. There’s space for curiosity too: recent projects have involved exploring JavaScript, encryption methods, and VR, alongside more traditional theory and practical work.
This course is ideal for anyone who enjoys puzzles, logical thinking, or wants to understand how the technology around them actually works. It also sets students up perfectly for A-Level or other pathways in digital technology, science, engineering or maths.
Resources
Click the OCR logo below for the exam specification:
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