GCSE Computer Science

Subject leader: Mr A Vallally-Godfrey

Email address: avallallygodfrey@sackvilleschool.org.uk

Exam board: OCR

Course specification: [Click here]

Course Description:

This GCSE in Computer Science links well to A Level Computer Science and industry expectations. The course is suitable for students who enjoy getting stuck in and solving a problem. You will be given the opportunity to develop programs in Python, whilst learning about the internal aspects of a computer and the structure of its components. Computational thinking is at the heart of this course, a ‘soft’ skill that is valued by many universities and employers alike. This course harnesses the futuristic industry that is computer science and ties in real world scenarios for you to use and create programs for.

Course Units

Component 01: Computer systems
  • Systems Architecture
  • Memory & Storage
  • Computer Networks, Connections and Protocols
  • Network security
  • System software
  • Ethical, legal, cultural & environmental impacts of digital technologies
Component 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming 
  • Systems Architecture
  • Memory & Storage
  • Computer Networks, Connections and Protocols
  • Network security
  • System software
  • Ethical, legal, cultural & environmental impacts of digital technologies
Practical programming
  • Programming techniques
  • Analysis
  • Design
  • Development
  • Testing & evaluation and conclusions

Assessment:

100% examination, two examination papers
Component 1 – 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 50% of the course
Component 2 – 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 50% of the course

Why should I study this course?

The Computer Science & IT department puts a great emphasis on building confidence in the subject and in your digital literacy. You are taught software skills and how to think computationally, whilst learning how to think and communicate using the correct subject terminology. Throughout the course you will be set a series of coding assignments that will usually span half a term. These assignments will allow you to develop your skills as a coder and will form the basis of your practical programming portfolio. They will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate both your ability and your imagination. You will also be expected to improve your skills by reading around the subject in your own time and keeping up to date with technological advances.

Student Quote:

“Computer science is a lot of fun and is the basis for so many different jobs and careers; it’s a part of everyday life now.” – George, year 11
“I study computer science so I’ll be ok when the robots take over” – Callum, year 11
“I loved that we learnt everything about computers: how they work, how they interact with each other, and how to write code for them” – Matthew, year 11

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