At Brookhaven, our Computing curriculum is designed to equip students with the digital knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive in an increasingly technological world.
Computing is not just about using devices; it is about understanding how technology works, how to use it safely and responsibly, and how to apply it creatively to solve real-world problems.
Our approach
Our curriculum is underpinned by the National Curriculum for Computing and the Teach Computing Curriculum developed by the NCCE. Our intent is to provide all students with a strong foundation in digital literacy, programming, and online safety. We aim to develop their ability to think logically, work collaboratively, and communicate effectively using digital tools. Through Computing, students explore how technology shapes the world around them and how they can shape the future through innovation and ethical digital citizenship.
Preparing for life beyond school
A key focus of our curriculum is preparing students for life beyond school. Whether they are aspiring to further education, employment, or greater independence, our Computing curriculum supports the development of essential life and career skills. These include problem-solving, critical thinking, digital communication, and an understanding of how to stay safe and secure online.
Building strong foundations at Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, students work towards the Brookhaven Steps curriculum, alongside an adapted National Curriculum. This provides a structured and progressive approach that allows students to build from their individual starting points and develop secure foundations in Computing.
Students experience a broad range of learning, including digital literacy, computer science, programming, data and information, digital creativity and online safety. We aim to develop curiosity and logical thinking, encouraging students to explore how technology works and giving them opportunities to create, problem-solve and develop their own ideas.
Digital safety and responsible use of technology are embedded throughout the curriculum. Students learn how to navigate online environments safely, positively and respectfully, developing an understanding of their digital footprint, privacy, communication and the choices they make when using technology.
Individual curriculum routes at Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, students move into one of two curriculum routes, allowing Computing education to reflect their individual learning needs, EHCP outcomes and aspirations for adulthood.
Castle Brook Route
Students on the Castle Brook Route follow a curriculum closely aligned with the National Curriculum. They engage in structured learning that builds strong academic and technical skills in areas such as programming, data handling, and digital media. The curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire, preparing students for further study or entry into the digital workforce.
Whittle Brook Route
For students on the Whittle Brook Route, Computing is focused on building confidence and independence in everyday digital tasks. This includes using technology to support communication, access information, and participate in community-based activities such as sport and leisure. The curriculum is highly personalised, supporting students in developing the digital skills they need to live more independently and engage meaningfully with the world around them. E-safety is taught in a practical, accessible way, helping students to make safe and informed choices online.
Want to know more?
Our Computing team are always happy to talk about the curriculum and how it supports your child.
At Brookhaven, our Food Technology curriculum aims to give every student the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to make positive choices about food, health and wellbeing.
We believe that learning about food is an essential part of preparing young people for adulthood. Our curriculum goes beyond learning how to cook: it develops independence, creativity, resilience and an understanding of how the choices we make about food can influence our health and everyday lives.
Learning through doing
Food Technology is a highly practical and engaging subject in which students learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences. Students develop essential skills including food preparation, cooking techniques, food safety and hygiene, nutrition, meal planning and making informed choices. They learn to follow instructions, use equipment safely, manage their time and increasingly take responsibility for the food they prepare. As students progress, they are encouraged to become more adventurous and confident, experiencing a broad range of ingredients, recipes and foods from different cultures.
Our curriculum recognises that every student at Brookhaven has individual strengths, needs and aspirations. Learning is carefully adapted and sequenced so that students can experience success while being appropriately challenged. Food Technology provides valuable opportunities to develop communication, teamwork, problem solving, organisation and independence alongside subject-specific knowledge. These transferable skills support students across the wider curriculum and help prepare them for life beyond school.
Key Stage 3: building strong foundations
At Key Stage 3, students work towards the Brookhaven Steps Curriculum alongside an adapted National Curriculum. The focus is on establishing strong foundations and developing confidence in a practical environment. Students build their understanding of nutrition, food safety and hygiene while progressively developing their preparation and cooking skills. Learning is revisited and extended over time, enabling students to build on previous successes, become increasingly independent and recognise their own progress.
Key Stage 4: different routes, ambitious outcomes
At Key Stage 4, students move into one of Brookhaven's curriculum routes, allowing learning to reflect their individual needs, aspirations and plans for adulthood.
Whittle Brook Route
Students following the Whittle Brook Route work towards appropriate Entry Level to Level 2 qualifications through a curriculum combining academic learning with the development of practical independence skills. Within Food Technology, students continue to develop the skills required to prepare food safely and confidently, make healthy choices and manage everyday food-related tasks. Where appropriate, learning can also support progression towards further education, training and employment.
Castle Brook Route
Students following the Castle Brook Route have a greater focus on academic learning and can study a Food Technology GCSE, alongside learning that supports their individual EHCP outcomes. Food Technology provides opportunities for greater depth of knowledge and increasingly sophisticated practical skills, with students developing their understanding of areas such as nutrition, food science, food provenance and the processes involved in planning, preparing and evaluating food.
Preparing students for the future
Ultimately, our ambition is for every student to leave Brookhaven with greater confidence and independence around food than when they arrived. Whether using these skills at home, progressing to further education, accessing employment or exploring opportunities within food, hospitality and related industries, we want students to recognise that the knowledge and skills developed through Food Technology have genuine value beyond the classroom.
Want to know more?
Our Food Technology team are always happy to talk about the curriculum and how it supports your child.
