Computer Science

Subject Lead Mr M Massey
Teacher Miss S Allen
Teacher Mrs R Gouws

                                                                               

Computer Science will encourage learners to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation. Analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs. Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically. Understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems. Understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science.

 

KS3

In Year 7 students study:

  • Introduction to IT (File Management, Social Networking, Keeping Data Safe, Using Email, Searching the Web)
  • Introduction to coding through Kodu (How Programs Work, Creating Landscapes, Navigation and Pathing, Clones and Creatables, Pages and Selection, Game Depth and Complexity)
  • Control Systems with Flowol (Flowcharts, Sequences, Sensors, Subroutines, Actuators, Variables)
  • First Steps in Small Basic (Graphics, Drawing Shapes, Using Variables, Conditioning and Branching, Using Random Numbers)
  • Spreadsheets (Computer Models, Creating Financial Model, What If Scenario's, Conditional Formatting and Validation, Macros and Charts)

In Year 8 students study:

  • Understanding Computers (Elements of a computer, The CPU, Understanding Binary, Binary Addition, Storage Devices, Convergence and New Technologies)
  • Creating a Video (Introduction to Digital Video, Planning, Scripting and Story boarding, Shooting Scenes, Final Shoot, Editing your Movie, Final Cut)
  • Introduction To Python (Introducing Python, Numbers and Arithmetic, Selection, Writing Algorithms, While Loops, Searching)
  • HTML and Website Development (HTML, CSS, Design, Development, Creating a web form)
  • Animation in Flash (Frame by Frame Animation, Motion Tweening, Text, Button and Action Script, Planning an animation, Adding Sound effects, Publishing an animation)
  • Game Programming using Scratch (Movement, Lives and Scoring, Adding a new level, Randomizing the behaviour of sprites, shooting and jumping, adding sounds, testing and assessment)

For greater detail about what students study during IT KS3 please click here

In Year 9 students study:

Understand the tools and techniques that can be used to initiate and plan solutions

  • The phases of the project life cycle and the tasks carried out in each phase
  • The interaction and iteration between the phases of the project life cycle
  • The interaction and iteration between the phases of the project life cycle
  • Initial project considerations
  • Planning tools and the software types used to develop project plans

Learning Outcome 2: To be able to initiate and plan a solution to meet an identified need

  • How to initiate a project by analysing the requirements to a given context
  • How to mitigate risks through the planning process
  • Creating planning documentation using appropriate technology and planning tools
  • How to undertake iterative testing

Understand the factors to be considered when collecting and processing data and storing data/information

  • Types of threats
  • The vulnerabilities which can be exploited in a cyber security attack
  • Impacts of cyber-security attack, consequence of a cyber security attack
  • Prevention measures for cyber security
  • Current relevant IT legislation, at time of delivery, its implications and applications
  • The importance of validity, reliability and bias when collecting and using data and information

To be able to iteratively review and evaluate the development of the solution

  • How to carry out and document an iterative review.

KS4

In Year 10  Programming project (using Python language)

  • Programming techniques
  • Analysis
  • Design
  • Development
  • Testing and evaluation and conclusions


Component 01: Computer systems (80 marks / 1 hour 30 minutes exam)

  • Wired and wireless networks
  • Network topologies, protocols and layers
  • Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns


Component 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (80 marks / 1 hour 30 minutes exam)

  • Algorithms
  • Programming techniques
  • Producing robust programs
  • Computational logic


Year 11 students study:

Component 01: Computer systems (80 marks / 1 hour 30 minutes exam)

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

Component 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (80 marks / 1 hour 30 minutes exam)

  • Algorithms
  • Programming techniques
  • Producing robust programs
  • Computational logic
  • Translators and facilities of languages - NEW
  •  Data representation

OCR GCSE

KS5

In Year 12 students  Component 01: Computer Systems

  • Structure and Function of Processor
  • Types of Processor
  • Input, Output and storage
  • Systems Software
  • Compression, Encryption and Hashing
  • Databases
  • Networks
  • Data Structures
  • 1.5.1 Computing Related Legislation
  • 1.5.2 Ethic, moral and cultural issues

Component 02: Algorithms and Problem Solving

  • Thinking Abstractly
  • Thinking Ahead
  • Thinking Procedurally
  • Thinking Logically
  • Thinking Concurrently

Component 03: Programming Project (Students will choose their own project)

  • Analysis of the problem (10 marks)
  • Problem identification
  • Stakeholders
  • Research the problem
  • Specify the proposed solution
  • Design of the solution (15 marks)
  • Decompose the problem
  • Describe the solution
  • Describe the approach to testing
  • Developing the solution (25 marks)
  • Iterative development process
  • Testing to inform development
  • Evaluation (20 marks)
  • Testing to inform evaluation
  • Success of the solution
  • Describe the final product
  • Maintenance and development

In Year 13 

Component 01: Computer Systems

  • Applications Generation
  • Software Development
  • Types of Programming Language
  • Web Technologies
  • Data Types
  • Boolean Algebra

Component 02: Algorithms and Problem Solving

  • Programming Techniques
  • Computation Methods
  • Algorithms

Component 03: Programming Project (continue)

  • Developing the solution (25 marks)
  • Iterative development process
  • Testing to inform development
  • Evaluation (20 marks)
  • Testing to inform evaluation
  • Success of the solution
  • Describe the final product
  • Maintenance and development

OCR A-level

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