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Thomas Clarkson Academy

Computer Science

Department Contacts

Staff

Role

 Email
Dr T Jones Head of department Trevor.Jones@thomasclarksonacademy.org

 
Ms T Thompson Computer Science teacher Tameka.Thompson@thomasclarksonacademy.org

Curriculum

KS3 computing is integrated into all curriculum subjects, providing students with technical skills and preparing them for the world of employment within the context of these subjects, to build on and strengthen their schemata and confidence in an ever evolving technological world. Students develop their knowledge and understanding in the use of Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Mail) to create digital projects, learn how computers work and how to use them safely and responsibly, including online safety with social media and efficient use of the Internet to support research with lessons and homework. Students also learn to code computer programs and solve real-world problems, an excellent skill to have.

KS4 Computer Science (OCR exam board) is a division of two main foci: Computer Systems and Computational thinking, algorithms and programming. There are two 1.5hr written exam papers weighted 50% each and cover the topics listed below. Students learn to program computers, learning a wide range of coding techniques, developing their skills in real-world problem-solving, design, programming, testing and evaluation.

GCSE Computer Science – new 9-1 specification (OCR)
Content Overview Assessment Overview

Computer systems

  • Systems Architecture
  • Memory
  • Storage
  • Wired and wireless networks
  • Network topologies, protocols and layers
  • System security
  • System software
  • Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns
  • Computer systems (01)
  • 80 marks
  • 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Written paper (no calculators allowed)

50%

of total GCSE

Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

  • Algorithms
  • Programming techniques
  • Producing robust programs
  • Computational logic
  • Translators and facilities of languages
  • Data representation
  • Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (02)
  • 80 marks
  • 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Written paper (no calculators allowed)

50%

of total GCSE

Programming challenges

  • Programming techniques
  • Analysis
  • Design
  • Development
  • Testing and evaluation
 Students develop essential programming skills to strengthen their knowledge and prepare them for paper 2 (Computational thinking, algorithms and programming).

 

KS5 Computer Science (OCR exam board) is a division of three main foci: Computer Systems, Algorithms and programming, and a Programming project. There are two 2.5hr written exam papers weighted 40% each and cover the topics listed below; the Programming project is weighted 20%. Students learn to program in multiple languages, learning a wide range of coding techniques including object-oriented programming and design, developing their skills in real-world problem-solving, and writing their programming projects seated in academic research.

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.

 

Homework and revision resources:

Homework is set on ‘Show My Homework’ and is designed to support and develop the learning that is taking place in our classrooms in relation to our Schemes of Learning.  
Computer Science resources are available to students 24/7 through our OneNote sites and include videos of every topic. KS4/KS5 students are provided with a Python programming book, a range of programming tutorials and revision guides. 
Students also have a Smart Revise account, providing an adaptive revision and quiz tool for exam practice. Smart Revise includes question level analytics and individual performance so the teacher and students can track progress and easily identify areas of strength and weakness.

  • BBC Bitesize provides valuable information on Computer Science
  • Awarding exam board websites for past papers, revision and exam practice
  • Revision text books and programming books are provided at the beginning of year 10
  • PiXL