Faculty: Creative & Technical
Subject: GCSE Computer Science
Subject Leader: Mr D Barton
Staff and Responsibility: Mr J Green
Subject Overview
What is computing?
Computing has become vitally important in all our lives. For example when doing business, controlling machinery, navigating planes, supporting administration and communicating with each other. Behind all this innovation there are basic principles that form the discipline of ‘computing’. Computing is all about finding the solution to problems, to inform the design of software and hardware.
How will you learn?
You will learn how to solve logical problems by:
- Discovering how to investigate problems
- Design solutions with flowcharts/pseudo code
- Create working computer programs in Python from your designs
- Finding out about the underpinning theory of how computers work
Course Content
The course is worth one GCSE grade and takes up one option choice. You will complete two-unit components, both of which are assessed with external examinations, one being a written examination and the other being an on-screen practical programming exam.
| Unit | Title | Assessed Tasks | Weighting |
| Component 1 External Written Examination |
Principles of Computer Science | A piece of extended writing, a blog or a PowerPoint presentation about professional performance work. Participation in practical acting workshops and exploration of text. | 50% |
| Component 2 External On-Screen Examination |
Application of Computational Thinking | The main focus of this component is understanding of what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work and how to interpret, amend and create them. This unit also covers developing program code and constructs, data types, structures, input/output, operators and subprograms. | 50% |
Requirements
This course is designed for students who are able to work as part of a group but also independently.
Why you should choose computing?
Whatever career you decide later on in life, you will need to solve problems. This course has at its heart the principles of investigating, designing and creating solutions to problems. There is a well-documented skills shortage in the UK for programming skills, so learning to program opens up a potential career path.
