Overview

Students' learning across Key Stage 3 encompasses the following areas: Digital literacy with Office 365; E-Safety; How computers work; Algorithmic problem-solving skills; Programming; Artiificial Intelligence; Cyber security; How businesses work.

KS3 Intent Statement

Year 7

Students study the following units: - Introduction to Highcliffe IT Systems: Students learn about how to access and use the Highcliffe network, about key terms that will be used throughout lessons and effective and efficient ways of working. -Online Safety and how to keep yourself safe online. - Introduction to Procedural Programming Concepts using Kodu

Year 8

Students study the following units: -Programming with Objects: Block programming techniques and constructs with Scratch. -Programming using a text based programming language (Python) including logic statement to create a text based adventure game -Using Office based software to create a solution to a new business challenge.

Year 9

Students study the following units: -Students study a business-based unit in preparation for option choices so they gain experience of planning, designing and launching a new product to market. -Procedural programming using Scratch and Python across different use-cases. -Social media: Uses for business, social networking, sexting, online security and testing for valid information.

Overview

Our GCSE in Computer Science is engaging and practical, encouraging creativity and problem solving. It encourages students to develop their understanding and application of the core concepts in computer science. Students also analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing and evaluating programs.

KS4 Intent Statement

Qualification Details

Exam Board: OCR
Qualification Title: Computer Science
Qualification Specification Code: J276
Qualification Webpage: Click here to visit the OCR webpage for the specification.

Why should I study this course?

The GCSE in Computer Science will give learners a real, in-depth understanding of how computer technology works. Learners will no doubt be familiar with the use of computers and other related technology from their other subjects and elsewhere. However, the course will give them an insight into what goes on ‘behind the scenes’, including computer programming, which many learners find absorbing. The course provides excellent preparation higher study and employment in the field of Computer Science.

What knowledge and/or skills will I need?

Skills that you will need, or that you will be required to develop, include:
•An in-depth understanding of how computer technology works.
•Critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills through the study of computer programming.

What will I study in this qualification?

Overall Aims:

•understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, 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.

Topics Include:

• Processor Makeup and the Fetch Execute Cycle
• Different types of Memory
• Secondary Storage
• Networks (different types and factors that affect performance)
• The Internet (Hosting, DNS, Cloud)
• Basic Protocols
• Threats posed to Networks and preventing vulnerabilities
• System Software and the role of the Operating System
• Ethical, Legal and Cultural Issues
• The Impact of Technology on Society
• Legislation relevant to Computer Science

How will I be assessed?

Paper 1: Computer systems (50%) Written Exam 1hour 30 minutes
A mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions, assessing a student’s practical problem-solving and computational thinking skills.

Paper 2: Computational thinking and problem solving (50%) Written Exam 1hour 30 minutes
A mix of multiple choice, short answer, longer answer and extended response questions assessing a student’s theoretical knowledge.

Programming Project: Non-exam assessment which needs to be completed Approximately 20 hours of controlled assessment.

Learners will need to:
•Understand standard programming techniques
•Be able to design a coded solution to a problem including:
- Develop suitable algorithms
- Design suitable input and output formats
- Identify suitable variables and structures
- Identify test procedures
- Create a coded solution fully annotating the developed code to explain its function
- Test their solution

Please note that Ofqual are presently consulting on the type of assessment for programming so some assessment content and methods may change.

Possible Career Paths

Computer Technicians/Manager
Computer Programmer
Games designer
Website Designer
Systems Architect
Database designer/manager
Big Data Analyst
Network Engineer
Cyber Security Professional

Overview

Advances in Computing are transforming the way Computer Scientists work and this Computer Science specification reflects this. This popular qualification, built on strong foundations, delivers a flexible, accessible and rigorous qualification, backed by top quality support, resources and professional development. This course focuses on the knowledge, understanding and skills students need to progress to Higher Education or in the workplace. Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply academic principles learned to real-world systems. This intensely creative subject combines invention and excitement, looking at the natural world through a digital prism. Our Computer Science qualification values computational thinking, helping students to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence. The programming project will involve designing, creating, testing and evaluating an IT system for a real world client and students will use knowledge and skills gained throughout the course to achieve this.

KS5 Intent Statement

Qualification Details

Exam Board: AQA
Qualification Title: Computer Science
Qualification Specification Code: 7517
Qualification Webpage: Click here to visit the AQA webpage for the specification.

Entry Requirements

Standard Sixth Form entry requirements.

What will I study in this qualification?

The summary of components is as follows:

• Principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, logic, Algorithms and data representation.

• Principles and concepts of Computer Science, including analysis of problems in computational terms.

• Design, program and evaluate systems that solve problems, making judgements and presenting conclusions.

Possible Career Paths

Computer Science related undergraduate degrees: Games Programming, Systems Analysis, Network Engineering, Cognitive Science and AI, Data Analysis, Robotics, Telecommunications, Software Engineering, and more. Computer Science related Level 3 apprenticeships: IT, Software, Telecoms, Informatics, Creative & Digital Media, and more. A Computer Science A-Level is a well-respected qualification to hold, giving opportunities to access relevant university courses as well as technical careers. The content covered in the Computer Science A Level coincides with content taught during the first year of most university Computer Science courses, meaning that students are more attractive enrolment prospects at better universities.