| Key Stage | Qualification | Course Code | Exam Board |
| KS4 | GCSE | Edexcel Computer Science 1CP0 | Edexcel |
| KS5 | A Level | Eduqas Computer Science A500QS | Eduqas |
| KS5 | BTEC Level 3 | BTEC Level 3 Nationals IT | Pearson |
Years 10 & 11
Students studying this GCSE in Computer Science will gain practical experience of designing, writing, and testing computer programs, develop the ability to reason, explain and evaluate computing solutions, and develop awareness of current and emerging trends. This is an intellectually challenging course that requires a high level of computational thinking and mathematical skills.
- Understanding of what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work; ability to interpret, amend and create algorithms.
- Understand the requirements for writing program code.
- Understanding the binary representation, data representation, data storage and compression, encryption and databases.
- Understanding of components of computer systems; ability to construct truth tables, produce logic statements.
- Understanding of computer networks, the internet and the worldwide web.
- Awareness of emerging trends in computing technologies, and the impact of computing on individuals, society and the environment, including ethical, legal and ownership issues.
- Understanding how to develop program code and constructs, data types, structures, input/output, operators and subprograms.
| Paper | Assessment |
| Paper 1 | 50% of final grade 1 hour 30 minutes Written examination |
| Paper 2 Practical onscreen examination Students will design, write, test and refine programs in order to solve set problems. | 50% of final grade 2 hours |
Final grades are reported on the scale from 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest grade.
Employment opportunities
This course provides an ideal foundation for students who wish to go on to study an A-level Computer Science course. Computer Science has deep links with mathematics, science, and design & technology. It’s no exaggeration to say the world runs on computers. They are everywhere; computers control aircraft, chemical plants, send rockets into space, control your central heating, and make sure your car engine runs efficiently.
Sixth Form (Information Technology BTEC Level 3 National Extended)
| Year 12 | Assessment |
| Creating Systems to Manage Information Learners study the design, creation, testing and evaluation of a relational database system to manage information. They will become expert in the use of Microsoft Access to develop efficient relational database systems. | 2 Practical exams, 5 hours 25% of BTEC |
| Using Social Media in Business Leaners explore how businesses use social media to promote their products and services. Learners also implement social media activities in a business to meet requirements. Learners will explore different social media websites, the ways in which they can be used and the potential pitfalls when using them for business purposes. | Coursework portfolio 25% of BTEC |
| Year 13 | |
| Information Technology Systems Learners study the role of computer systems and the implications of their use in personal and professional situations. | Written exam, 2 hours 33.3% of BTEC |
| Data Modelling Learners study how data modelling can be used to solve problems, and they will design and implement a data model to meet client requirements. They will become expert in the use of Microsoft Excel to create complex spreadsheet models. | Coursework portfolio 16.7% of BTEC |
Sixth Form (Computer Science)
The EDUQAS A Level in Computer Science encourages learners to develop:
- An understanding of, and the ability to apply, the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation.
- The ability to analyse problems, including writing programs to do so.
- The capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically.
- The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science.
- The ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology.
| Paper | Assessment |
| Paper 1: Programming and System Development | 2 hours, 45 minutes 40% of final grade |
| Paper 2: Computer Architecture, Data Communication and Applications | 40% of final grade |
| Practical Coursework Project | 20% of final grade |
