King James’s School, we encourage all students to make the most of our ICT facilities, knowing how essential it is for them to develop strong computing and digital skills in today’s technology-driven world. 

In Years 7, 8, and 9, students are taught by specialist teachers who help them build advanced skills that will benefit them in a digital society. The curriculum covers key areas such as creative digital skills, programming, digital graphics, spreadsheets, website design, and understanding how computers work. It also emphasizes online safety and responsible digital citizenship—ensuring students are well-prepared for the challenges of the digital age. 

At Key Stage 4, students have the option to study GCSE Computer Science or Creative iMedia. These courses offer hands-on learning experiences that foster creative thinking and problem-solving skills that are increasingly important as technology continues to evolve and shape the future. For post-16 students, A Level Computer Science is available, allowing them to deepen their computational thinking. This course focuses on complex problem-solving, system design, and a deeper understanding of computing concepts, all of which are critical in today’s fast-paced digital world. 

These courses not only enhance important digital and computing skills, but they also prepare students for higher education and careers where these abilities are more valuable than ever. In a world increasingly influenced by technology, mastering these skills is key to helping students thrive in future careers and adapt to new challenges. 

At King James’s School, Computing extends well beyond the classroom. Our younger students in KS3 get hands-on experience with robotics through the First Lego League Competition, where teams program and build Lego robots to complete a series of missions, developing teamwork, creative thinking and coding skills. Across every year group, students take part in the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge each November – an internationally recognised competition that sharpens logical and problem-solving skills. Our Year 12 students are given the opportunity to take part in the ESA CanSat Competition, where they design, build and launch a a can-sized satellite,  applying real engineering and programming skills to a genuine space challenge. We also enter into Cyber Switch Up, a regional cybersecurity competition. Alongside these competitions, our weekly Coding Club is open to all year groups and provides a relaxed, creative space to explore new languages, build personal projects and develop skills beyond the curriculum – whether that’s game design, web development or working through coding challenges together. There is always something happening in Computing, and we actively encourage every student to get involved.