Computer Science

Our main aim within the Computing department is to ensure the students at the College are safe when using technology, especially online. We want to know the students have a secure knowledge and understanding of the dangers facing them in today’s digital world and feel confident when using the vast array of technology available to them.  Additionally, we aim to prepare our students for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever-changing digital world. Knowledge and understanding of ICT is of increasing importance for children’s future both at home and for employment.

Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become proficient in using, as well as understanding, technology. The strands are covered repeatedly through a number of different topics during the student’s time at the College to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed. Our intention is that Computing also equips the students to try new things without fear of failure and feel confident enough to transfer skills learnt in Computing into other areas of the curriculum and life.

The ability to use and understand how computers work is an essential skill for students to be able to take an active part in modern society. Here at St Ambrose College we have state-of-the-art equipment in three computer suites and we deliver a wide variety of topics across key stages 3, 4 and 5 to suit the interests of all students.

 

 

Key Stage 3

Students will have the opportunity to study a range of topics within Computer Science for 1 hour a week. Students will be introduced to a number of different software packages and will develop skills in areas such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking and resilience. Students will also develop an understanding of how to program in both a drag and drop environment and a text based environment. At the end of Key Stage 3 students will have the opportunity to select Computer Science as an option for their GCSE's.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 students will study for qualification in Computer Science through the OCR exam board. The qualification will build on the knowledge, understanding and skills established through the Computer Science elements of the Key Stage 3 programme of study. 

The specification encourages learners to be inspired, and challenged through completing a coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. The specification will help learners to gain an insight into related sectors. It will prepare learners to make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career choices.

The Computer Science GCSE will encourage the students to:

• 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.

Specification

Click here to download the J277 OCR GCSE Specification

Component 1 - Computer Systems

This is a written exam that will last 1 hour 30 minutes. It makes up 50% of the GCSE and the paper has a total of 80 marks. The content of the paper 1 exam includes:

• Systems architecture
• Memory and Storage
• Computer networks, connections and protocols
• Network security
• Systems software
• Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology

Component 2 - Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

This is a written exam that will last 1 hour 30 minutes. The content of the paper 2 exam includes:

• Algorithms
• Programming fundamentals
• Producing robust programs
• Boolean logic
• Programming languages and IDEs

 

Practical Programming

All students will be given the opportunity to undertake programming tasks, either to a specification or to solve problems, during the course of study.

Students will draw on some of the content in both components when engaged in Practical Programming

Key Stage 5

The OCR A Level in Computer Science will encourage learners to be inspired, motivated and challenged by following a broad, coherent, practical, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. It will provide insight into, and experience of how computer science works, stimulating learners’ curiosity and encouraging them to engage with computer science in their everyday lives and to make informed choices about further study or career choices The aims of this qualification are to enable learners to develop:

• An understanding and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including: abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation
• The ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so
• The capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
• The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science
• Mathematical skills
• The ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology

Specification

Click here to download the OCR A Level Computer Science Specification

Component 1 - Computer Systems

This is a written exam that will last 2 hour 30 minutes. It makes up 40% of the GCSE and the paper has a total of 140 marks. The content of the paper 1 exam includes:

• The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
• Software and software development
• Exchanging data
• Data types, data structures and algorithms
• Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues

Component 2 - Algorithms and Programming

This is a written exam that will last 2 hour 30 minutes. It makes up 40% of the GCSE and the paper has a total of 140 marks. The content of the paper 1 exam includes:

• Elements of computational thinking
• Problem solving and programming
• Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithm

Component 3 - Programming Project

The programming project is a non exam assessment that makes up 20% of the GCSE and has a total of 70 marks.

Students will be expected to analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language. The underlying approach to the project is to apply the principles of computational thinking to a practical coding problem. Learners are expected to apply appropriate principles from an agile development approach to the project development.

 

Overview of Computer science topics