While informatics is a well-established discipline in higher education around the world, it is not the case in secondary education, with the exception of a few countries. Generally, what is taught is not informatics as a subject with its own methods, concepts, and principles, but some software tools with the goal that the use is sufficient for students to acquire skills. In addition, an analysis of the current situation reveals that the real competencies of teachers and students in informatics are far weaker than might be expected in secondary education. This work proposes a concept-based pedagogical approach to school informatics. The aim is to provide the students with a more thorough understanding of informatics as a school subject. The work also explores students' views on the contribution of the pedagogical approach and the implications for the teaching and learning of school informatics in secondary schools.