KS4 – Databases and SQL Unit overview
KS4 – Databases and SQL
Unit introduction
This unit introduces learners to the world of databases and SQL. Learners explore the key terms used in a database and learn why
relational databases are used to eliminate the redundancy and inconsistencies that can occur in a flat file database. Next, they explore
increasingly challenging SQL commands where they retrieve, update, and delete data in a relational database.
Overview of lessons
Lesson Brief overview Learning objectives
Lesson 1: Database This lesson gives your learners the key terminology required to be able ● Describe a database
essentials to use SQL to search and update a relational database. It steps learners ● Define database key terms
through the key concepts using a music database as an example. first (table, record, field, primary
as a flat file database and then as a relational database. Learners are key, foreign key)
then given their first experience with a database management system ● Describe a flat file database
(DBMS) where they learn to navigate and investigate some of the tools ● Describe a relational database
that they offer.
Lesson 2: SQL searches SQL is introduced in this lesson. Learners use the music database from ● Describe the function of SQL
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KS4 – Databases and SQL Unit overview
the previous lesson to write their first SQL commands. The activities ● Use SQL to retrieve data from
start with learners retrieving data using SELECT, FROM, and WHERE a table in a relational
statements. They complete increasingly challenging tasks for different database
search terms. They then move on to retrieving data from multiple ● Use SQL to retrieve data from
tables. more than one table in a
relational database
Lesson 3: Insert, This lesson continues to build on previous learning where learners were ● Describe the function of
Update, Delete introduced to SQL queries for the first time. In this lesson the learners different data types
will understand the purpose of INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE queries. ● Use SQL to insert, update, and
delete data in a relational
They will have the opportunity to implement these queries using their
database
music database and will be required to draw upon their learning from
the previous lesson to use SELECT. These queries will be used to help
them work out how to solve other problems and to prove that their
INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE queries work. The lesson will conclude by
giving the learners a Parsons problem to solve based on an INSERT
query.
Lesson 4: Swim In this lesson the learners will bring together the learning that has taken ● Interrogate and update an
challenge – part 1 place prior to this lesson. The main activity that will take this lesson and existing database
part of the next lesson is to complete an assignment based around
building, interrogating, and updating a database to manage swimming
lessons. The learners will start the lesson by recapping some key
learning points about database relationships. They will then be given
time to work through the swim lesson activities before completing the
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KS4 – Databases and SQL Unit overview
lesson with a set of multiple choice questions.
Lesson 5: Swim In the final lesson of the unit, the learners will continue to practise their ● Interrogate and update an
challenge – part 2 database and SQL skills by completing the swim challenge exercises existing database
they started in the previous lesson. This lesson will also give the learners
an opportunity to practice exam-style questions by completing a more
formal end of unit assessment.
Progression
This unit progresses students’ knowledge and understanding of databases and SQL.
Please see the learning graph for this unit for more information about progression.
Curriculum links
National curriculum links
● develop their capability, creativity and knowledge in computer science, digital media and information technology
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KS4 – Databases and SQL Unit overview
Assessment
Summative assessment
● Please see the assessment question and answer documents for this unit.
Assessment rubric (based on work completed in Lessons 4 and 5)
● Please see the Swim challenge rubric document, which is in Lesson 4 - Swim challenge part 1
Subject knowledge
This unit focuses on databases and SQL.
Enhance your subject knowledge to teach this unit through the following training opportunities:
Online training courses
● Introduction to databases and SQL (teachcomputing.org/courses/CO225/introduction-to-databases-and-sql)
Resources are updated regularly — the latest version is available at: ncce.io/tcc.
This resource is licensed under the Open Government Licence, version 3. For more information on this licence, see ncce.io/ogl.
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