Subject - Computer Science
Computer Science
Teaching Staff
Lydia Grafton
Paul Stapleton
Intent Statement
The aim of the KS3 Computer Science curriculum at CFS is to engage students with the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science. It provides students with the opportunity to become familiar with Computational Thinking methods and encourages students to think creatively, innovatively and logically. Also, by the end of KS3 students will all know how and where to report any E-Safety concerns and are taught to keep everyone safe both now and in the future rather than just themselves in the here and now. Cyberbullying, Grooming, Radicalisation, Sexting and Digital Footprint are all covered in the curriculum.
The Schemes of Work in KS3 have been designed directly with KS4 in mind. Each Scheme of Work covers parts of the Computer Science curriculum which aim to provide students with a foundation knowledge of key concepts which they can then go on to further develop in KS4. The range of topics delivered within the KS3 curriculum ensures students gain some exposure to both areas of the Computer Science curriculum covering both programming and theory topics and therefore has been designed to specifically prepare students for their practical and theoretical areas in KS4 Computer Science.
Key Stage 3 - Computer Science
Year 7:
Online Safety
Introduction to programming
Programming with a BBC micro:bit
Year 8:
Introduction to Python
Understanding computers
HTML
Spreadsheets
Year 9:
Python Next Steps
Algorithms
Networks
The implications of technology
Key Stage 4 - Computer Science
What is in the course?
At CFS we teach the EdExcel GCSE Computer Science Qualification
This consists of two exams worth 50% each. Paper 1 is a written examination and Paper 2 is a practical onscreen assessment.
The main programming language used at key stage 4 is Python, this builds on work the students completed in year 7, 8 and 9.
How is it assessed?
OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science J277
The course is assessed through two written examinations:
Paper 1: Principles of Computer Science
Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes, 50% of the qualification, 75 marks
Content overview
This paper will assess Topics 1 to 5.
● Topic 1: Computational thinking – understanding of what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work; ability to follow, amend and write algorithms; ability to construct truth tables.
● Topic 2: Data – understanding of binary, data representation, data storage and compression.
● Topic 3: Computers – understanding of hardware and software components of computer systems and characteristics of programming languages.
● Topic 4: Networks – understanding of computer networks and network security.
● Topic 5: Issues and impact – awareness of emerging trends in computing technologies, and the impact of computing on individuals, society and the environment, including ethical, legal and ownership issues.
Paper 2: Application of Computational Thinking
Onscreen examination: 2 hours, 50% of the qualification, 75 marks
Content overview
This paper will assess Topic 6: Problem solving with programming.
The main focus of this paper is:
● understanding what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work in relation to creating programs
● understanding how to decompose and analyse problems
● ability to read, write, refine and evaluate programs
Extra-curricular opportunities
We run a coding club for KS3 students. Each term differs in content to provide students with a variety of experiences, such as developing a mobile app or using the BBC Micro:bit to create a game.
All students enter the UK Bebras challenge running in November - a worldwide challenge of puzzles introducing students to computational thinking. Top 10% scorers are invited to the Oxford University Computing Challenge every year.