Curriculum
Computer Science offers students an insight into the role and relevance of computing technology in the modern world
Computer Science provides an in-depth understanding of how computer technology works and a 鈥榖ehind the scenes鈥� look at the workings of computer systems regarding how they communicate with each other, interpret data, share data and the moral, legal and cultural implications of them.
It will also require students to learn a programming language in detail and how to use this language to create computer programs in order to solve problems. Students who opt for this subject will ideally have already gained a range of subject knowledge from their own personal interest in computers and programming.
Curriculum Overview
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| 听 | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Introduction to Microsoft | E Safety | An Introduction to Coding and Algorithms (iRobot) | Excel | Hardware | Editing Project (Silent Movies) |
| 8 | Web Design Hardware and Networking | Web Design Hardware and Networking | Image representation | Apps for Good | Boolean Logic Coding and Computer Science | Microsoft |
| 9 | E-Safety | Unit 2: Understanding Computers | Spreadsheet Modelling | Graphics | Computational Thinking and Logic | HTML and Web Development |
| 10 | Unit 1 鈥� Systems Architecture | Unit 2 鈥� Data Representation | Unit 3 鈥� Wired and wireless networks | Unit 4- Systems Software and Security | Unit 5 鈥� Legal, cultural, Ethical issues | Unit 6 鈥� Algorithms & Unit 7 鈥� Programming |
| 11 | Unit 7 鈥� programming | Python programming practice | Final Revision Part I of II Unit 1: Systems Architecture Unit 2: Data representation Unit 3: Wired and wireless networks Unit 4: Systems software and security | Final Revision Part II of II Unit 5: Ethical, Legal, Cultural issues Unit 6: Algorithms Unit 7: Programming (This is covered in the 20 python lessons previously) Unit 8: Logic and Language | Exam Practice | 听 |
| 12 | Unit 1 鈥� Components of a computer & Unit 2 鈥� Systems Software | Unit 3 鈥� Software Development & Unit 4 鈥� Exchanging Data | Unit 5 鈥� Networks & Unit 6 Data Representation | Unit 7 鈥� Data Structures & Unit 8 鈥� Boolean Algebra | Unit 9 鈥� Legal, Moral, Ethical Issues Unit 10 鈥� Computational Thinking | Unit 11 鈥� Programming techniques Unit 12 -Algorithms |
| 13 | NEA Project | NEA Project | Revision and practice: Unit 1, 2, 3, 4. | Revision and practice: Unit 5, 6, 7, 8 | Revision and practice: Unit 9, 10, 11, 12. | 听 |
KS4 COURSE - GCSE Computer Science
WHAT IS THE COURSE ABOUT?
To provide learners with an opportunity to develop and practice real-world programming and provides a good understanding of the fundamental principles of computing.
The new specification also offers a significant emphasis on computational thinking.
The course will:
- Enable you to have a detailed and in-depth knowledge of how computer technology works at a coding and logical level
- Develop understanding and use of algorithms and their use in the computer industry
- Develop programming techniques to allow you to resolve problems in the real world by writing software
- Understand the responsibility and wider impacts of computing on people and society
- Prepare you for further study or employment in the field of Computer Science
- Develop your logical thinking, problem-solving and mathematical abilities
Which topics are covered?
- Programming techniques
- Algorithms
- Producing robust programs
- Computational Logic
- Data representation
- Translators and Facilities of computer languages
- Systems software
- System security
- Network topologies, protocols and layers
- Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns
- Wired and wireless networks鈥�
- Systems Architecture
- Systems memory
- Systems storage
- Analysis, design, development, testing and evaluation of a computer program to solve a problem
WHAT CAN COMPUTER SCIENCE LEAD TO?
- Software Developer
- Cyber security Officer
- Digital Manager
- Game Developer
- Computer Science Teacher
- Data analyst
- Nano-technology Engineer
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
The OCR GCSE Computer Science will be assessed with two paper-based examinations.
Paper 1:鈥疌omputer Systems鈥�� Written exam: A mix of multiple choice, short answer, longer answer and extended response questions assessing a student鈥檚 theoretical knowledge. 鈥� 1 hour 30 minutes 鈥� 50% of GCSE. No calculators will be allowed in the examination鈥�.
Paper 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming 鈥� Written exam set in practically based scenarios: A mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions assessing a student鈥檚 practical problem solving and computational thinking skills. Questions are phrased using pseudo-code and so are independent of any specific programming language 鈥� 1 hour 30 minutes 鈥� 50% of GCSE. No calculators will be allowed in the examination.听
Practical programming 鈥� Students are to be 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.听
WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED?
The course suits pupils with an interest in computers and programming. Pupils who enjoy working methodically and logically will thrive on this course. Good maths skills, enthusiasm and problem-solving skills are a must.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What websites are useful to look at?
If you want to find out more about this qualification, to help you decide whether it鈥檚 right for you, talk to Mr Egere or Mr Forbes in the ICT Office.
KS5 COURSE - Advanced Level Computer Science
WHAT CAN COMPUTER SCIENCE LEAD TO?
Computer science as a subject can lead to a variety of careers or higher education courses. The skills it develops can lead to:
- Software Developer
- Web Developer
- Cyber security Officer
- Digital Manager
- Game Developer
- Network Engineer
- Computer Science Teacher
- Data analyst
- Nano-technology Engineer
COURSE OVERVIEW
Component 1 鈥� Computing Principles
1.1 The Characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
1.2 Software and Software Development
1.3 Exchanging Data
1.4 Data types, structures and algorithms
1.5 Legal, moral, ethical, cultural issues
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Component 2 鈥� Algorithms and Problem Solving
2.1 Elements of Computational Thinking
2.2 Problem Solving and programming
2.3 Algorithms
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Component 3 鈥� Computer Programming Project
Analysis of the Problem
Design of the solution
Developing the solution
Testing the solution
Evaluation
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
OCR A Level computer science is assessed near the end of the second year of study, with 2 examinations and a computer programming project. Each examination makes up 40% of the final year grade, with the programming project being 20% of the final grade.
Paper 1: Computing Principles 鈥� Written exam: A mix of multiple choice, short answer, longer answer and extended response questions assessing a student鈥檚 theoretical knowledge. 2 hour 30 minutes. No calculators will be allowed in the examination.
Paper 2: Algorithms and problem solving 鈥� Written exam: A mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions assessing a student鈥檚 practical problem solving and computational thinking skills. Questions are phrased using pseudo-code and so are independent of any specific programming language. No calculators will be allowed in the examination.
Computer Programming Project 鈥� The development of a computer program along with the computer programming code itself which听 has been well documented, designed and tested by each individual student to solve a problem. Students will be independent in choosing their own problem to solve.
Mr A Hussain
I graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a degree in Computer Science and received an Outstanding in my teaching qualification 2 years later. I am passionate about delivering outstanding outcomes for all of our pupils, I work closely with technology and with major video game developers, including Nintendo, EA, Ubisoft, Sega, and many others, to provide new opportunities for students. I have extensive experience in Artificial Intelligence programming and am currently working on developing chatbots for educational use.
