“Computing goes way beyond just writing code.
Steve Jobs (Apple Co-Founder)
Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer… because it teaches you how to think”.
By studying this highly valued EBac subject you will develop the skills and knowledge to give you that competitive advantage in any future career. You will develop computational thinking skills such as analysis, decomposition, logic and algorithmic thinking.
“Computational thinking will be a fundamental skill used by everyone by the middle of the 21st Century. Just like reading, writing and arithmetic”.
Wing (2011)
What will you learn?
Computing is an intellectually challenging yet very practical and rewarding subject. It is an intensely creative subject where you can apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in exciting and inventive ways.
You will learn to:
- think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
apply the principles of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic and data representation. - analyse problems in computational terms and solve them by designing, writing and debugging programs.
- apply mathematical skills relevant to computation.
Curriculum
Key Stage 3
At Jo Richardson our Computing KS3 Scheme of Work follows the three areas of the National Curriculum:
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Digital Literacy
Computer Science
- Design, use and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems
- Understand several key algorithms that reflect computational thinking [for example, algorithms for sorting and searching]; use logical reasoning to compare the utility of alternative algorithms for the same problem
- Use two or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems; make appropriate use of data structures [for example, lists, tables or arrays]; design and develop modular programs that use procedures or functions
- Understand simple Boolean logic [for example, AND, OR and NOT] and some of its uses in circuits and programming; understand how numbers can be represented in binary, and be able to carry out simple operations on binary numbers [for example, binary addition, and conversion between binary and decimal]
- Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
- Understand how instructions are stored and executed within a computer system; understand how data of various types (including text, sounds and pictures) can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits
Information Technology
- Undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications, preferably across a range of devices, to achieve challenging goals, including collecting and analysing data and meeting the needs of known users
- Create, re-use, revise and re-purpose digital artefacts for a given audience, with attention to trustworthiness, design and usability
Digital Literacy
- Understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity
Key Stage 4
Why choose Computer Science?
- Learn key computer skills including Programming, Hardware Components and the inner workings of the Motherboard
- Learn to communicate with computers in their own language
- Develop the key life skills of critical thinking, problem solving and analysis
- It is the perfect stepping stone to studying Computer Science, Computer Animation or Computer Game Programming at Higher Education
- Computer Science is part of the English Baccalaureate
How will you be assessed?
You will be assessed by a mixture of written exam (80%) and programming project work (20%)
Is this GCSE for you?
KS4 Computing Curriculum Overview
Computer Science is at the centre of a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) education. Studying this subject will give you a real advantage in today’s technology driven world. You will make the leap from using other people’s software to being able to design and create your own. Maybe you could invent the next Facebook or Snap Chat? GCSE Computer Science will give you the skills to become a Technology Entrepreneur…but even more than this, it will give you the skills you need for any career because Computer Science teaches you how to think.
Course Requirements
All students choosing Computer Science must have a minimum level 6 in Maths on computers and their software The ability to work independently and in groups to achieve results and not give up in the face of a challenge Someone who wants to work in the highly lucrative IT industry
Key Stage 5
OCR A-Level Computer Science
Why choose Computer Science A-Level?
An A Level Computer Science qualification helps students understand the core academic principles of computer science. Classroom learning is transferred into creating real-world systems through the creation of an independent programming project. Our A Level will develop the student’s technical understanding and their ability to analyse and solve problems using computational thinking.
Course Content:
Component 01: Computer systems
Students are introduced to the internal workings of the (CPU), data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. The resulting knowledge and understanding will underpin their work in component 03.
It covers:
- The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
- Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software
- Data exchange between different systems
- Data types, data structures and algorithms
- Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues.
Component 02: Algorithms and programming
This builds on component 01 to include computational thinking and problem-solving.
It covers:
- What is meant by computational thinking (thinking abstractly, thinking ahead, thinking procedurally etc.)
- Problem solving and programming – how computers and programs can be used to solve problems
- Algorithms and how they can be used to describe and solve problems.
Component 03: Programming project
Students are expected to apply the principles of computational thinking to a practical coding programming project. They will analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language. The project is designed to be independently chosen by the student and provides them with the flexibility to investigate projects within the diverse field of computer science. We support a wide and diverse range of languages.
Assessment
Exam 1: Computer systems
Length: 2 hours 30 mins
Weight: 40%
Exam 2: Algorithms and programming
Length: 2 hours 30 mins
Weight: 40%
Coursework: Programming project
Weight: 20%
Course Requirements
The requirements align with the standard JRCS sixth form GCSE grades and may be subject to change. While it is not mandatory to have completed a GCSE in Computer Science, it is highly recommended due to significant overlapping content.
Enrichment
Waiting for clarification
Marking Policy
At the core of our approach to marking at JRCS is feedback. This can take many forms from group discussions with the teacher responding to more formally with class feedback and improvements using their green pens. We believe it is better to correct any issue or misgivings as early as possible and quick feedback is key to this.
Levelling and Assessment
KS3
Whilst each unit may be assessed slightly different, due to the nature of practical over theory sections, the general ethos of the department remains. A project normally last around 6 lessons where they will receive instant feedback regularly but planned formal feedback at least 3 times. One of the homework tasks will be looked at and then any corrections or improvements found will be given to the students in a feedback session. The homework is very important as we use to further cement the learning of previous lessons. In the middle of the unit a quick mini assessment and feedback will be given to the class with improvements done in green pen. They will then undertake a final assessment, normally an exam, and they will receive a printed feedback sheet with their grade given. We will then undertake an improvement session where the 2/3 sections that the student scored lowest on will be rediscussed and an exam question will be completed by the students.
KS4
KS4 practice exam questions are completed regularly and then group feedback is given with improvements. At the end of each unit there is an “End of Unit” test which is marked in line with the final exam. A grade is then given under the 1-9 system using predicted boundaries looking at previous cohorts as a guide. As in KS3 we will then undertake an improvement session where the 3/4 sections that the student scored lowest on will be rediscussed and an exam question will be completed by the students. The student will then get the opportunity to attempt the paper a second time which we believe helps to really lock in the learning on that unit.