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Computer Science

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At school we combine the key concepts related to computational thinking, information technology and digital literacy to provide students with knowledge and skills across the main elements of computer science. At its core is computational thinking, problem solving, and logical thinking skills used by computer scientists and programmers to solve complex problems in creative ways, which can also be applied to real world issues in many other subjects and disciplines. 

Writing programs allows students to put these skills to the test, and to develop their ability to work through problems and find solutions as a team or independently. Technology has a large impact on our lives so it is also important to consider the ethical, moral and safety issues it can bring, using technology as a tool and support wellbeing. 

By the end of KS5 a Computer Scientist will: 

  • Be curious of the digital world we live in and aware of the opportunities and limitations of the technology. 
  • Be equipped to use the latest technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. 
  • Understand how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge and transferable skills to use, through programming or product creation, using the core principles of information and computation. 
  • Become digitally literate by embedding cloud-based resources such as Office 365, into the core of all teaching and learning. Students will then be able to use computers to express themselves creatively, develop their ideas and contribute positively to society. 

KS3

Year Group

Areas of Study

7

 

Term 1: Impact of technology: Collaborating Online Respectfully

Term 2: An Introduction to Programming with Scratch

Term 3: Computer Hardware

Term 4: An Introduction to HTML

Term 5: Micro:Bit Madness

Term 6: Scratch Game Making

8

Term 1: My Digital World

Term 2: Binary Bits & Bobs

Term 3: HTML & CSS

Term 4: An Introduction to Python

Term 5: Mobile App Development

Term 6: Cyber Security

9

Term 1: Experience AI

Term 2: Computer Networks

Term 3: Python Continued

Term 4: HTML, CSS and JavaScript

Term 5: Back to the Future

Term 6: Python - Preparation for GCSE

GCSE

Board

OCR (J277)

Outline of the Course

  • A simple and intuitive assessment model, consisting of two papers, one focusing on computer systems and one with a focus on programming, computational thinking, and algorithms. Both papers have identical weighting and mark allocations
  • Introduces students to the central processing unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, data representation, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, system security and system software. It also looks at ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns associated with computer science
  • Students apply knowledge and understanding gained in Component 01 through Components 02. They develop skills and understanding in computational thinking: algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic and translators
  • Students are given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s) during their course of study, which allows them to develop their skills to design, write, test and refine programs using a high-level programming language. Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations, in particular Component 02 (Section B), learning programming languages such as Java, JavaScript and Python
  • This specification/qualification will enable students to develop:
  • Valuable thinking and programming skills that are extremely attractive in the modern workplace
  • A deep understanding of computational thinking and how to apply it through a chosen programming language

Assessment

 

Type of Assessment

Duration

Weighting

1

Component 01 – Computer systems

1 hour 30 minutes

50%

2

Component 02 – Computational Thinking, algorithms and programming

1 hour 30 minutes

50%

3

Practical programming throughout the two years

Non-exam

–

A Level

Minimum Entry Criteria

Desired: 7 in Computer Science and 6 in Maths

Essential: 6 in Computer Science and 6 in Maths

Board

OCR (H446)

Outline of the Course

The OCR A Level in Computer Science will encourage learners to be inspired, motivated and challenged by following a broad, coherent, practical, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. It will provide insight into, and experience of how computer science works, stimulating learners’ curiosity and encouraging them to engage with computer science in their everyday lives and to make informed choices about further study or career choices. The key features of this specification encourage:

  • emphasis on problem solving using computers
  • emphasis on computer programming and algorithms
  • emphasis on the mathematical skills used to express computational laws and processes, eg Boolean algebra/logic and comparison of the complexity of algorithms with less emphasis on ICT
  • producing a slimmed down programming project which is more refined and more focused on coding
  • choosing the project title and problem to be solved in any suitable programming language
  • including agile methods

Assessment

 

Type of Assessment

Duration

Weighting

1

Component 01 – Computer systems

2 hours 30 minutes

40%

2

Component 02 – Algorithms and programming

2 hours 30 minutes

40%

3

Programming project 03 – non-exam assessment assesses students ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem

Year 12 and 13

20%
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