Download the Curriculum Statement for Computer Science
Studying towards GCSE and A Level Computer Science
Academic year 2021-22
What are we studying?
For information on the Futures Institute Year 9 Pathway for Computer Science, click here
YEAR 10
TERM 1
Within the second year of the course students will build upon the knowledge and understanding that they gained in year 9. Students will be encouraged to develop their awareness of the computing industry and the global effects it is having on the world in communication, business and communities. Students will explore how to produce robust programs, computational logic, translators and facilities of computing languages and data representation? A variety of software will be utilised including Unity software in 3D game design and Blender. Students will also be required to build PCs and familiarise themselves with the internal workings of computers. They will be introduced to the CPU, computer memory and storage, system security and system software. There will be a large part covering networks and internet systems. This will examine real scenarios and hopefully a visit to companies.
TERM 2
Students will have the opportunity to enter Cyber Discovery – A Government led annual challenge to learn “hacking”. The challenge looks at what it takes to build and install a PC. This may include building your own gaming machine!
TERM 3
Students will learn further details about computer systems including input, processes and output. Part of this is exploring storage devices and how they work.
TERM 4
Networking essentials will be examined and issues such as cyber security threats and solutions – We will also look at how we build networks using the appropriate hardware and software.
TERM 5/6
Practical application of programming language – building software for a given purpose.
YEAR 11
TERM 1
Students will be looking at Programming in more detail and building skills and techniques for computational learning. Part of this will be to design our own program based on the requirements of the examination body.
During this time students will revise binary/hexadecimal and how to store images and sound on a computer. We will practice examination questions and acquire revision techniques to apply the knowledge gained over the past few years. There will be the opportunity to code in Python, C#, Visual Basic.
TERM 2
We will continue to develop our programming project to industry standard. This will teach how industry approaches systems development. The classroom activity will enable students to work effectively in project management and give you them an insight into what they will need to do as employees in the future. They will also be given experience in computational thinking – learning how to develop research and development.
TERM 3/4
During this term, you will be using skills learnt in the first terms to develop databases that form a big part of everyday life. These skills can be used in creating apps, websites and system software. Big data is a part of our everyday lives from data being stored in Government agencies to Facebook and social media.
This moves onto some of the important social, environmental impacts on society. We will examine new and existing legislation on technology, including the response of International Governments to world-wide hacking and hackers.
TERM 5/6
Leading on from the need to store large amounts of data we will look at the developing technology. A move to cloud storage and all the data security problems that are integral to this. This will promote the opportunity to study the physical components of a computer system, including the networking elements. Students will develop their capacity to develop creatively and extend their knowledge. This will encourage the application of their analytic, problem-solving, design, and computational thinking skills.
TERM 6
Revision sessions in preparation for EXAMINATION TIME
OTHER INFORMATION
A Level Computer Science (AQA)
Why are we studying? To access Further and Higher Education for appropriate Degrees in Science and Engineering, Game Design and new courses not developed yet.
Computer Science “A” Level develops a wide range of skills challenging concepts and opportunities to improve on your technical skills of programming and understanding systems for the 21st Century. Computer Science allows you to excel in areas of cyber security, programming algorithms that are required for Higher Education and industry standard.
WEBSITES
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/gcse/computer-science-8520
https://technovationchallenge.org/
CONTACT DETAILS
Teacher of Computer Science: Erika Rhodes
erhodes@wykhampark-aspirations.org
THE COMPUTER SCIENCE TOOLBOX
- Remove information that is not needed.
- Break the problem down into chunks you can manage.
- Identify patterns of repetition.
- Accept failure: it is an essential part of learning.
KEY VOCABULARY
- Abstraction
- Decomposition
- Pattern Recognition
- Iteration
- Selection
- Comparison
- Algorithm