Computer Science

SUBJECT INTRODUCTION

Head of Department : Jonathan Raisin

Staff Contact Details : Sarah Randall

The department is staffed by a fully qualified Computer Science teacher, Mr J Raisin and by Ms S Randall

The department has three fully networked rooms and further access to a suite of networked computers in the school's library.

THE CURRICULUM

The Computer Science curriculum is designed to meet the UK National Curriculum aims. The aim of the curriculum is to develop confident digital citizens who are ready to meet the challenges of the digital world.

Students should feel safe when using technology and the web by learning what their rights and responsibilities are, as well as how legislation can protect them while online but also respecting others whilst in the online realm.

Our students need to understand how to utilise the power of the cloud and cloud based services which can be a powerful collaborative tool - for this we use Google Classrooms.

Key Stage 3

Students are taught in mixed ability groups using a mixture of project based work and separate sub-topics which cover the National Curriculum studies for Computer Science.

Topics covered

Year 7:

Year 8:

 

Year 9: 

Key Stage 4

 

The OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer Science (J277) specification is split into three components:

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 a high-level programming language. Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations, in particular component 02 (section B).

See this link for the official specification

Key Stage 5

OCR GCE A Level Computer Science (H446)

This course has been updated to reflect new and emerging technologies. This course is for students who wish to go on to higher education courses or employment where a deeper knowledge and understanding of computing would be beneficial.

The focus has shifted towards computational thinking within the field of Computer Science, with its emphasis on abstract thinking and algorithmic problem-solving, it is a good foundation for understanding the technological challenges currently facing the industry.

Computer Science is also a practical subject where students can apply the computational thinking principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems.

TOPICS COVERED

Year 12

1.1 The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices:
The internal components of a computer and their uses

1.2 Software and software development:
Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software

1.3 Exchanging data:
How data is exchanged between different computer systems

1.4 Data types, data structures and algorithms:
How data is represented and stored within different structures. Different algorithms that can be applied to these structures

1.5 Legal, moral, ethical and cultural issues:
The individual moral, social, ethical and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology.  Legislation surrounding the use of computers and ethical issues that can or may in the future arise from the use of computers

2.1 Elements of computational thinking:
Understanding what is meant by computational thinking

2.2 Problem solving and programming:
How computers can be used to solve problems and programs can be written to solve them

2.3 Algorithms: The use of algorithms to describe problems and standard algorithms

Year 13
Extension of the topics studied in Year 12, with the addition of the following topics related to the final year project

3.1 Analysis of the problem

3.2 Design of the solution

3.3 Developing the solution

3.4 Evaluation

Homework

Homework is now set through Google Classrooms. To find out more about homework requirements, please visit the Homework section of this website.

E-records of student progress are updated regularly, using Google Classroom and Google Apps for Education.

ASSESSMENT

KS3: Project based assessment using assessment rubrics or multiple choice quiz.

KS4: End of topic written assessment or multiple choice quiz.

KS5: End of topic assessment.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Robotics Club - for committed Computer Science students.

CAREERS

Typical Careers:

• Programmer or Software Developer - typically will be responsible for design, testing, build and maintenance of software systems.
• Network Engineer - typically is responsible for installing, supporting and maintaining hardware & software for a company. Ensuring communication networks are kept up running 24/7.
• Web Developer - typically responsible design, layout and coding of the website.

What could you do - see https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/computer-science

EXAM BOARD

Key Stage	GCSE/KS4
Exam Board	OCR
Website	https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j277-from-2020/
Course Code	J277
Specification	https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/558027-specification-gcse-computer-science-j277.pdf
Past Papers	Computer Systems  https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/552500-computer-systems-.pdf  Computational thinking, algorithms and programming https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/552502-computational-thinking-algorithms-and-programming.pdf

 

 

TEXTBOOKS AND REVISION RESOURCES

KS3 Resources

• BBC Bitesize Computer Science KS3 https://www.bbc.com/education/subjects/zvc9q6f

GCSE/KS4 textbook

Publisher: CGP

Title: GCSE OCR Computer Science

ISBN:  978 1 78294 860 5

https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_gcse_cs.book_COS41 

Online Resources

• BBC Bitesize Computer Science GCSE https://www.bbc.com/education/subjects/z34k7ty
• Computerphile Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9-y-6csu5WGm29I7JiwpnA
• Craig and Dave Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/craigndave

Coding Resources

• http://codingbat.com/python  
• https://learnpythonthehardway.org/python3/
• https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-python
• https://learn.edx.org/mit-python/

KS5 Textbook

Publisher: PGOnline

Title: OCR AS and A Level Computer Science Textbook

ISBN:  978 1 91052 305 6

KS5 Online Resources

• Computerphile Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9-y-6csu5WGm29I7JiwpnA
• Numberphile Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoxcjq-8xIDTYp3uz647V5A
• Craig and Dave Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/craigndave

 

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