Computer Science

Subject:	Computer Science
Contact:	Mrs Hyland

Overview

All students study Computer Science at Key Stage 3. At Key Stage 4 students can opt to do GCSE Computer Science. At Key Stage 5 students study BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology. Throughout each Key Stage students use a variety of Microsoft Office applications along with creative design software. We aim to develop both their ICT and Computer Science skills as this gives students the opportunity to improve their coding skills and knowledge of how a computer works. Students also learn how to be creative using a computer to design computer graphics, animations, videos and websites as well as learning how to use a spreadsheet and database.

Key stage 3

Overview

In Year 7 and 8, students develop their ICT skills by using various Microsoft Office applications. Students use spreadsheets and databases to learn how to handle and record data. Students also cover an element of Computer Science using Scratch software to develop their coding skills by creating a game. In Year 9, students complete one ICT unit and the remaining units of work are based around Computer Science, e.g. Algorithms, Programming & Development, Data Representation, Hardware & Processing, Communication & Networking.

Curriculum content

Year	Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
7	E-Safety	Programming in Scratch	Hardware & Binary
8	Software & Hardware	Basic programming in Python	Animation and Website Design (HTML Coding)
9	Networks	Programming in Python, Algorithms	Database and SQL

Age related milestones

Key stage 4

Overview

At GCSE students can opt to do Computer Science. We follow the OCR syllabus for Computer Science. In GCSE Computer Science, students have a Controlled Assessment (20%) and an exam (80%). There are two exam papers on Computer Systems and Computational thinking, algorithms and programming. The 20% Controlled Assessment involves students coding a program using Python programming language, this is evidenced in a write-up including, Analysis, Design, Development, Testing, Evaluation, and Conclusions. Students are taught in 5 hours a fortnight for each subject.

Exam board and course

GCSE Computer Science – OCR

Curriculum Content

Year	Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
10	System Architecture, Memory, Storage, Programming Techniques	Algorithms/Pseudocode, Python skills building prep for NEA, Complete NEA (20 hours)	Ethical, legal, cultural & environmental concerns, System Software, System Security
11	Content –Data Representation, Logic gates, Robust Programs	Content – Wired & Wireless Networks, Network topologies, Protocols and Layers	Computational Logic, Translators & facilities of languages, Database & SQL. Recap with revision over all topics.