Computing and ICT

Computing and ICT

Computing at Key Stage 3

Throughout Key Stage 3, students have the opportunity to develop their Computing skills using a variety of computer programs. This covers a range of different topics and gives the students a well-rounded understanding of how computers work.

In Year 7 students study:

  • E-Safety
  • Computer Systems
  • Computer Game Design (Scratch)
  • Introduction to Spreadsheet Modelling
  • Introduction to Programming in Python

In Year 8 students study:

  • E-Safety
  • Further programming in Python
  • Flowcharts – Computer Control and Simulation
  • Webpage Design

In Year 9 students study:

  • Computational Mathematics
  • Programming Project
  • General IT skills
  • Advanced Spreadsheet Modelling

Computer Science in Years 10-11

As an option choice, students are able to study Computer Science at GCSE level, following the OCR Specification. This consists of one piece of non-examined assessment and two final examinations.

Unit 1: Computer systems and programming (examination, 40%)

Topics include:

  • Systems Architecture
  • Memory
  • Storage
  • Wired and wireless networks
  • Network topologies, protocols and layers
  • System security
  • System software
  • Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns

Unit 2 Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming (examination, 40%)

Topics include:

  • Algorithms
  • Programming techniques
  • Producing robust programs
  • Computational logic
  • Translators and facilities of language
  • Data representation

In addition to the two theory units students develop their programming skills, which culminates in an extended programming project lasting for 20 hours in class. In the project students use their skills to solve a problem set by the examination board. Students need to understand standard programming techniques, design a coded solution to a problem, create a coded solution fully annotating to explain its function, and test their solution.

A-Level Computer Science is comprised of 3 units:

Unit 1 – Computer Systems:

  • The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
  • Software and software development
  • Exchanging data
  • Data types, data structures and algorithms
  • Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues

This unit is assessed via a written examination. Students have 150 minutes to complete the paper. The result of the paper accounts for 40% of the overall A2 grade.

Unit 2 – Algorithms and Programming:

  • Elements of computational thinking
  • Problem solving and programming
  • Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms

This unit is assessed via a written examination. Students have 150 minutes to complete the paper. The result of the paper accounts for 40% of the overall A2 grade.

Unit 3 – Programming Project:

Students will choose a computing problem to work through according to the guidance in the specification

  • Analysis of the problem
  • Design of the solution
  • Developing the solution
  • Evaluation

This unit is assessed via non-examined assessment (coursework completed in controlled conditions) . The result of the non-examined assessment will account for 20% of the overall A2 grade.

Entry requirements for the course:

  • GCSE in Computer Science at Grade 4 or above.
  • If you have not studied Computer Science at GCSE then Grade 4 or above in Mathematics, along with a keen interest in Programming.