Computer Science

SUBJECT INTRODUCTION

Staff Contact Details : Nathan McCoach

The department is staffed by a fully qualified Computer Science teacher, Mr J Raisin and by Mr N McCoach.

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:

Responsible Use of Computers:

Introduction to Computer Science – school systems - Google Classroom and file Management.

Digital Footprint/ Keeping your data safe

Social Media/Networking
Searching the web

Elements of a computer (hardware):

The CPU
Understanding Binary
Binary Addition
Storage Devices

Graphics:

Vector graphics
Bitmap graphics
Conveying meaning
Adding text, effects and enhancements
Poster Project/Assessment

HTML:

Intro to HTML Formatting
Images
Hyperlinks
Mini project pt 1 [assessment]

Robotics Pt1:

Types of robots and their uses
Basic movement
Decision based movement
Line following movement

Year 8:

Visual Programming using Kodu:

Game Design – the brief
Game Plan – create your plan
Game Creation – build it
Game Evaluation - Fix-it-5/DiRT

Graphic Design Pt2:

Recap vector & bitmap graphics
Copyright & digital identity
Movie poster/Magazine cover project

HTML Pt 2 & CSS:

Remembering HTML and Introducing CSS
Backgrounds and Images
Additional HTML tags and layouts;
Project - combining graphics from project
Evaluation - Fix-it-5/Dirt

Text Based Programming [Python]:

Python [text based programming]
Variables, strings, numbers and arithmetic
Selection & loops
Writing algorithms

Robotics Pt2:

Movement using text based programming
Decision based movement
Robot football
Maze solving using robots

Year 9:

Modelling:

Computer modelling - “What if” scenarios
Conditional formatting and validation
Charts

Computer crime and cyber security:

Email scams, viruses, trojans & worms
Hacking and protecting personal data & identity
Copyright & Plagiarism

Text Based Programming [Python]

Recap the basics & loops pt2
Lists
Procedures & functions
Assessment - fix-it-5/DiRT

Networking

What is the internet
Types of network
Encryption & hacking

Key Stage 4

The new OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer Science (from 2016) specification is split into three components:

Computer Systems:

focuses on Computer Systems and is a written exam making up 40% of the assessment total.
Knowledge of the hardware & software.
Networks and routing.

Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming:

is focused on computational thinking and algorithms.
Students will be tested on the elements of computational thinking and logic.
They are principally assessed as to their ability to write, correct and improve algorithms.
This component it worth 40% of the final grade.

Component 3: Programming Project, this component is the non-exam assessment where candidates will be challenged by a range of exciting and engaging tasks to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned.

This component it worth 20% of the final grade.

Key Stage 5

OCR AS/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

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

Assessment

E-records of student progress are updated regularly, and often at the end of each lesson. At present the department is developing systems which will allow for online access to these records by both the student and the parent, to engender further motivation and progress.

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