KS4 - GCSE Computer Science
In KS4 students have the choice to study GCSE computer science as their optional subject, and in 2020 87% of the students who did so achieved a grade 4-9. We follow the OCR syllabus which is engaging and practical, encouraging students to develop their understanding and application of the core concepts of the subject.
Students are taught a range of skills including programming, algorithms and problem solving during three lessons per week. They will learn to analyse problems in computational terms and devise solutions by designing, writing, testing and evaluating programs. Students will also gain an understanding of programming language such as C#.
The course is assessed through two exams: Computer Systems and Computational Thinking, Algorithms & Programming, both worth 50% of the final grade. Students will also complete a Programming Project to develop their practical ability, which does not contribute to the final grade but is a requirement of the course.
Computer systems:
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.
Computational thinking, algorithms, and programming:
Students apply knowledge and understanding gained in component 01. They develop skills and understanding in computational thinking: algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic and translators.
Practical programming:
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 the high-level programming language C#. Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations.
KS5 - A Level Computer Science
In KS5 students can choose to study A Level computer science which is taught over five lessons a week and aims to develop technical understanding and the ability to analyse and solve problems using computational thinking.
We follow the OCR syllabus, assessed by two final exams: Computer Systems and Algorithms & Programming, both worth 40% of the overall grade. Classroom learning is transferred into creating real-world systems through the independent programming project, worth 20% of the overall grade.
The course is made up of three strands. Computer systems focuses on the internal workings of the (CPU), data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. Algorithms and programming teaches students to use computational thinking to solve problems. Students are then expected to apply the principles of computational thinking to a practical coding programming project. They will analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language.