At Halstead St Andrew’s, we don’t just use computers—we understand them, build with them, and explore the digital world they unlock.
Our journey begins in Year 7, where students are introduced to the fundamentals of computing: how computers work, how data is stored, and how we interact with technology safely and responsibly. As they progress, pupils dive deeper into programming, cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of digital systems.
By Year 9, students are confidently writing code, solving real-world problems, thinking like computer scientists and using AI to enrich their learning. We follow the UK Computer Science Curriculum, using the Teach ICT pathway to guide our learners through a rich and engaging programme.
Key Topics covered
- Computer systems and hardware
- Binary and data representation
- Networks and the internet
- Cybersecurity and online safety
- Algorithms and computational thinking
- Programming in Python
- Databases and data handling
- Ethical, legal, and environmental impacts of technology
- Web development and HTML
- Learning how to use AI responsibly within their learning
- GCSE Computer Science curriculum
Enrichment opportunities and career paths
We offer a range of enrichment activities including coding clubs, robotics challenges, and digital design projects. We do invite guest speakers from the tech industry to inspire future innovators, and we also engage with online talks and webinars to broaden our students’ exposure to the digital world.
Computer Science opens doors to a wide array of careers—from software development and AI research to cybersecurity, game design, and data science. The skills gained—problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity—are highly valued across all industries.
At HSA, we empower our students to become confident digital citizens and future tech leaders.
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
Alan Kay, Computer Scientist and pioneer of object-oriented programming