Subject Knowledge Enhancement

What is a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course?

• A Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course is designed to support those completing their initial teacher training in their chosen subject. The contents should provide trainees with a developed knowledge and understanding in preparation for teaching and delivery of the curriculum.

Who completes an SKE?

• Prospective teachers who have already secured a place with a Teacher Training organisation (Schools Direct or SCITT) but the place is conditional based on improving Computer Science subject knowledge.
• Prospective teachers who have been working in industry but have not used school based programming languages.
• Prospective teachers who have a Computer Science degree that needs updating or needs supplementing to be able to teach at GCSE and A-Level
• Prospective teachers who have an IT- related degree and require an introductory programming course.

How long is the course and what does it involve?

• The course runs over 8 weeks through online activities, weekly 2 hour taught sessions, and a once a week e-tutor session.
• Activities will include a reflective log to support progress and best practice, formative assessment tasks and activities and the development of programming project.

What will be covered from week to week?

• Week 1: Algorithms, Abstraction and Decomposition
• Week 2: Sequencing, Selection and Iteration
• Week 3: Arrays and FOR loops
• Week 4: Subroutines, local and global variables
• Week 5: Data Representation
• Week 6: Computer system architecture, hardware and software
• Week 7: Logic gates and boolean algebra
• Week 8: How to approach a non-examined assessment

Why complete your SKE course with the Cardinal Vaughan School?

• The school’s Computing Science department has some of the best results in the country, last year 54.5% of the pupils taking the subject at GCSE achieved an A* compared to the national average of 6.3%
• All course teachers are qualified, practicing teachers with undergraduate degrees or higher in Computer Science or related subjects.
• All course teachers have experience in delivering Computing and Computer Science at A-level, GCSE and KS3.
• In addition to online and self-study components, the course includes taught sessions meaning participants will benefit from face-face support. These sessions are flexible and are available after school or Saturday mornings.
• Trainees will have the opportunity to observe Computing lessons at the Cardinal Vaughan School
• As a Teaching School, the Cardinal Vaughan has an excellent track record for delivering outstanding teacher training and CPD.
• The school is situated near excellent transport links including Shepherds Bush Overground, Shepherds Bush and Holland Park Central line and a number of bus routes.