Computer Science

Key Stage 3 (Year 7-9)

 Year 7

• E-Safety

• Hardware & Software

• Digital Literacy

• Computational Thinking

• Developing Algorithms in Scratch

• Spreadsheet Modelling

• Representing Images

• Web page Creation

Year 8

• Hardware and Software
• Python Programming Basics
• Database Development and queries
• Developing a webpage using HTML
• Games Development

Year 9 

• Network and Legislations
• Python Programming Intermediate
• Binary and Logic
• Hacking Preventative Measures
• Graphics Animation

Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11)

 GCSE 9-1 Computer Science

Year 10

• Unit 1-System Architecture, Memory, Storage, Wired and Wireless Networks, Topologies, Protocols and Layers
• Unit 2-Algorithms, Programming

Year 11

• Unit 1-System Security, Systems Software, Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Concerns
• Unit 2- Computational Logic, Translators and Facilities of Languages, Data Representation

BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology

Year 10

Component 1: Exploring User Interface Design Principles and Project Planning Techniques

Aim: How to project plan the design and development of a user interface.

Assessment: internally assessed assignments

• explore user interface design and development principles
• discover how to develop and review a digital user interface
• investigate how to use project planning techniques to manage a digital project

Component 2: Collecting, Presenting and Interpreting Data

Aim: process and interpret data and draw conclusions

Assessment: internally assessed assignments

• explore how data impacts on individuals and organisations • develop a dashboard using data manipulation tools
• draw conclusions and make recommendations on data intelligence

Year 11

Component 3: Effective Digital Working Practices

Aim: explore how organisations use digital systems and the wider implications associated with their use.

Assessment: scenario-based external assessment where students demonstrate their knowledge to propose digital solutions to realistic situations.

• explore how modern information technology is evolving
• understand what cyber security is and how to safeguard against it
• consider legal and ethical issues in data and information sharing

Key Stage 5 (Year 12-13)

 Year 12

 A Level Computer Science

Unit 1: Computer Systems
1. Systems Architecture

• Structure and function of the CPU
• Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle
• Factors affecting CPU performance
• Types of processors (e.g., CISC, RISC)

2. Memory and Storage

• Types of memory (RAM, ROM, virtual memory, flash storage)
• Secondary storage technologies
• Data representation (binary, hexadecimal, ASCII, Unicode, images, sound, compression techniques)

3. Software

• Operating systems: functions and types
• Application software vs. system software
• Utility software
• Open source vs. proprietary software

4. Networks

• Types of networks (LAN, WAN, WLAN)
• Protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP)
• Network topologies and hardware
• The concept of the Internet and the World Wide Web

5. Ethical, Legal, and Cultural Issues

• Legislation related to computer science (e.g., GDPR, Computer Misuse Act)
• Ethical and cultural considerations in technology

Unit 2: Algorithms and Programming

1. Programming Basics

• Fundamentals of programming (variables, data types, control structures)
• Input/output operations
• Functions and procedures

2. Data Structures

• Arrays, records, stacks, queues
• Basic file handling

3. Computational Thinking

• Abstraction, decomposition, and problem-solving techniques
• Representing algorithms using pseudocode and flowcharts

4. Standard Algorithms

• Searching algorithms (e.g., linear, binary search)
• Sorting algorithms (e.g., bubble, insertion, merge sort)

 

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Computing

 Unit 1- Principles of Computer Science

Unit 2 – Fundamentals of Computer Systems

Unit 3 – Planning and Management of Computer Systems

Unit 4 – Software Design and Development Project

Unit 8 -Business Application of Social Media

Unit 10 -Human-computer Interaction

Unit 15 – Website Development

Unit 14 – Computer Games Development

 

Year 13

 A Level Computer Science

Unit 1: Computer Systems

1. Advanced Topics

• Boolean algebra and logic gates
• Hardware and software integration
• Emerging technologies

2. Data Security

• Encryption methods
• Cybersecurity threats and prevention
• The role of firewalls and antivirus software

3. Databases

• Database design and normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF)
• SQL and database querying

 

Unit 2: Algorithms and Programming

1. Advanced Programming

• o Object-oriented programming (OOP) principles
• o Recursion
• o Exception handling

2. Complex Data Structures

• o Linked lists, trees, hash tables, graphs
• o Algorithm efficiency (Big-O notation)

3. Computational Methods

• o Understanding and solving more complex computational problems

 

Unit 3: Programming Project

The Programming Project is an independent piece of work. Key steps include:

• Problem Identification - Choose a real-world problem that is computationally solvable.
• Analysis - Produce a detailed problem statement, requirements, and a feasibility study.

• o Design - Plan the solution using algorithms, pseudocode, and flowcharts.

• Development - Write the code using a chosen programming language.

• o Testing - Use a systematic test plan to identify and fix issues.
• o Evaluation - Assess the success of the project and reflect on the process.

 

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Computing

Unit 7 – IT System Security and Encryption

Unit 9 – The Impact of Computing

Unit 18 – Relational Database Development

Unit 22 – Systems Analysis and Design

Unit 19 – Computer Networking

Independent Learning Resources

 Key Stage 3

• http://teach-ict.com/– Students have been given a login access to this website. There is structured revision material as well as quizzes for the students to access for the KS3 computing topics.
• http://classroom.google.com– Using the students Google drive login, students have access to all resources provided in lessons, including presentation, worksheets and revision notes.

Key Stage 4

OCR

• CGP Revision Book for GCSE Computer Science
• OCR (9-1) Computer Science GCSE (Hodders Educations)
• Digital subscription of revision book for BTEC IT.
• http://teach-ict.com/– Students have been given a login access to this website. There is structured revision material as well as quizzes for the students to access for the new GCSE course.
• http://classroom.google.com– Using the students Google drive login, students have access to all resources provided in lessons, including presentation, worksheets and revision notes.

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