Computer Science

Department/subject info and philosophy:

Computers are now part of everyday life and, for most of us, technology is essential to our lives at home and at work. Computer Science is a subject that aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding of computing that they will need to be ready for the workplace and able to participate effectively in the digital world.

Studying Computer Science gives learners the opportunity to investigate how computers work and how they’re used, and to develop computer programming and problem solving skills.

Programme of study in Y7-Y9:

Y7 and Y8

Learners will study a range of topics that provide basic knowledge and skills tailored towards transition to the KS4 curriculum, including:

• Digital Learners
• E-Safety
• History of Computers
• Computer Architecture
• Data Representation
• Networks
• Databases
• Algorithms

Y9 (8-week rotation)

Moral/Social/Cultural/Legal Issues:

Living in a Digital Society
Learners follow a scheme of work that aims to bring the ‘Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns’ topic studied at KS4, down to KS3, whilst skill keeping the course relevant to students without a direct interest in the subject. This program also contributes to the whole school delivery of E-Safety.

Concepts covered include:

• Moral, social or cultural issues
• Legal issues relating to technology
• Effects of technology on stakeholders

Programme of study Y10-Y11:

Component 01 - Computer systems

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

Component 02 – Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

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

Programming Project

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

Note: Students will use the Python programming language to satisfy the programming element of the course.

GCSE Exam information:

OCR GCSE (9–1) Computer Science (J276)

Learners take Component 01 and Component 02 to be awarded the OCR GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science.

Component 01 - 50% of total GCSE
Computer systems
80 marks
1 hour and 30 minutes
Written paper
(no calculators allowed)

Component 02 - 50% of total GCSE
Computational thinking, algorithms and programming
80 marks
1 hour and 30 minutes
Written paper
(no calculators allowed)

Programming Project – Formal requirement Consolidates the learning
across the specification through practical activity.

20 timetabled hours

 

Useful links/websites:

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j276-from-2016/

Key contact(s):

Mr N Ullah

Email: nullah@brigantiatrust.net