Computing & ICT

Our Computing curriculum is built on the belief that every student should understand, shape and confidently navigate the digital world around them.

What makes Computing at our academy special is the strong balance between real-world digital literacy, creative problem-solving, and rigorous computer science. 

Students learn how modern technologies work, from hardware and networks to programming and cybersecurity, and also develop the practical skills needed to thrive in a technology‑driven society.

Across Key Stage 3, they explore everything from spreadsheets and digital media to Python programming, cybersecurity, website development, and physical computing with the micro:bit. Our approach ensures students gain both the confidence to use technology responsibly and the curiosity to ask how and why systems work. Computing at HLAW empowers students not just to be users of technology, but creators, designers and critical thinkers prepared for the future. 

In Year 7, students build strong foundations that set them up for success in later years. They begin by learning the essentials of computer systems - hardware, software, data representation and the purpose of key applications. They then develop key digital skills through spreadsheets, modelling, and data handling.

As the year progresses, students learn about the Internet, online safety, cyber‑security, networks and basic cryptography, helping them become responsible digital citizens. Finally, they move into programming: first through flowcharts and algorithms, then through script‑based programming in Python, and concluding with creative, block‑based programming in Scratch where they design and develop their own game.

Year 7 Computing is exciting, practical and empowering, an engaging introduction that shows students just how much they can create with technology.