Computer Studies

Subject Vision and Intent

The aim of the computing department is to enable all pupils to be confident digital citizens, who have the opportunity to embrace technology and develop transferable skills. To help prepare students for jobs in the Computer Science industry and achieve their full potential.

Five-Year Plan

Term	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Autumn Term 1	Scratch Farmbot Python Basics How a computer works	Data Representation HTML Python Turtle	Further Python Python and Algorithms Data Storage - Binary and Hexadecimal
Autumn Term 2
Spring Term 1
Spring Term 2
Summer Term 1
Summer Term 2

Key Stage 4

GCSE Computer Science

Exam Board

OCR

Examinations

GCSE Computer Studies consists of 2 papers

Paper 1- Computer systems. 1 hour 30 minutes

Paper 2 - Computational thinking, algorithms and programming, 1 hour 30 minutes

Key Topics

Component 01: 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.

Component 02: 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).