Computer Science
Purpose of study
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
Aims
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
Year 7 SoW
3 lessons a fortnight
| Term | Topic | Summary |
| Autumn | Compute_IT 1
Unit 1: Under the Hood of a computer
Compute_IT 1 Unit 2: Think like a computer Scientist
Compute_IT 1 Unit 6: How the web works
Compute_IT 1 Unit 7: Web page creation from the ground up
|
Pupils are introduced to computing with a research based task and creating a timeline. Pupils develop their understanding of internal computer components and an understanding of binary, bytes and data file size.
Pupils develop a better understanding of Computational thinking: Decomposition, algorithms, abstraction and generalisation through fun activities.
Pupils learn about the hardware and software required to use the internet and develop an understanding of the World Wide Web
Pupils will create a website using HTML and JavaScript in Serif WebPlus. |
| Spring | Compute_IT 1
Unit 10: Representing images
Scratch programming
|
Pupils will learn how images are stored and manipulated on computing devices. Pixels, resolution, colour depth, bitmap, vector, compression and metadata will all be explored.
Key concepts of programming will be explored: sequencing, selection and iteration in a graphics programming language. Pupils will create a pacman style game at the end of the unit. |
| Summer | Python programming
|
Key concepts of programming will be explored: sequencing, selection and iteration in a text based programming language. Pupils will complete a number of Python challenges and create a quiz at the end of the unit |
Year 8 SoW
2 lessons a fortnight
| Term | Topic | Summary |
| Autumn | Compute_IT 2
Unit 3: binary
Compute_IT 2 Unit 6: Connecting to the internet
|
Pupils develop their understanding of binary, binary addition, binary conversion and create a poster to teach Year 8 pupils how to convert binary to decimal or decimal to binary
Pupils learn how the internet works and looks at the hardware and software required. Transmission and bandwidth are discussed. Networks are investigated – both wired and wireless, ISP role is covered along with data packets, packet switching, IP addresses and protocols. |
| Spring | Compute_IT 2
Unit 7: Sorted!
Compute_IT 2 Unit 8: How to make a computer appear smart
|
Pupils learn about sorting algorithms: Bogo; swap; bubble; selection and how they work to sort data on a computer.
Pupils learn about input, process and output and how this applies to everyday systems. Iteration and sub-programs are explained along with data types, arrays, testing and syntax |
| Summer | Python programming
|
Pupils expand on the Python skills learned in Year 7 and apply them to project based questions where they have to solve problems and plan their solutions. |
Year 9 SoW (OCR GCSE Computer Science (Paper 1 and paper 2 units and Python programming)
2 lessons a fortnight
| Half-Term | Topic | Summary |
| Autumn Term | Primary and Secondary Storage
Networks
Computer Architecture
|
Pupils learn about the hardware that drives computer devices; The CPU, Primary and Secondary storage and Input and Output devices
Introduction to Networks Topologies and Protocols Layering The Internet End of Topic Test: Network topologies protocols and Layers Connections End of Topic test: Network Connectivity Security End of Topic Test: System security & vulnerabilities
Pupils cover: CPU and its functions Cache Memory CPU performance factors End of topic test: Computer architecture
|
| Spring Term | Software and System Software
Legal, Ethical, Cultural and environmental issues
Computational thinking and algorithms
|
Proprietary v Open-Source
Off-the-shelf v Custom made Operating Systems Drivers End of topic test: System Software
Pupils understand the Legal, Ethical, Cultural and environmental issues associated with Computing Copyright, Designs and Patents Act Data Protection Act Freedom of Information Act Computer Misuse Act End of topic test: Legal, Ethical, Cultural and environmental concerns
Pupils develop an understanding of: Project Life Cycle; Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing Flowcharts Pseudo code Abstraction Decomposition Searching End of topic test: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming
|
| Summer Term | Python programming skills and project | Pupils develop the skills required for the Programming Project
Variables Data types (integer/string/float/boolean) Functions (print/input) Loops (For and While) Selection (If and Else) Functions and Procedures Libraries (Math/Random) Assessment: Python challenges and algorithms
|
Year 10 GCSE Computer Science (OCR) 6 lessons a fortnight
Paper 1 and Paper 2
| Half-Term | Topic | Summary |
| Autumn term | Primary and Secondary Storage
Networks
Software and System Software
Legal, Ethical, Cultural and environmental issues
Computer Architecture
|
Pupils develop an understanding of:
Primary storage: RAM and ROM Virtual memory Secondary storage: Magnetic, Solid-state and optical Secondary storage considerations End of topic test: Memory and storage
Introduction to Networks Topologies and Protocols Layering The Internet End of Topic Test: Network topologies protocols and Layers Connections End of Topic test: Network Connectivity Security End of Topic Test: System security & vulnerabilities
Proprietary v Open-Source Off-the-shelf v Custom made Operating Systems Drivers End of topic test: System Software
Pupils understand the Legal, Ethical, Cultural and environmental issues associated with Computing Copyright, Designs and Patents Act Data Protection Act Freedom of Information Act Computer Misuse Act End of topic test: Legal, Ethical, Cultural and environmental concerns
Pupils cover: CPU and its functions Cache Memory CPU performance factors End of topic test: Computer architecture
|
| Spring Term | Computational thinking and algorithms
Programming techniques
Robustness of coding, Design Considerations and Testing
Data Representation
Computational logic, translation & Editors
Data structures, Types and searching using SQL
|
Pupils develop an understanding of:
Project Life Cycle; Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing Flowcharts Pseudo code Abstraction Decomposition Searching End of topic test: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming
Pupils will put their Python programming practical skills into theory based activities: Sequence Selection Iteration
Pupils will cover: Testing programs for faults Validation Syntax and Logic errors End of Topic Test: Robustness of coding, Design Considerations and Testing
Pupils will cover: Binary Hexadecimal Denary conversion Sound sampling Compression Storing images Assembly language End of topic test: Data Representation
Pupils understand: The need for translators and the different types IDE features Binary/Hexadecimal/Denary number systems Logic Gates: AND, OR, NOT Truth tables End of topic test: Computational logic, translation & Editors
Pupils will cover: Data types SQL searches Program outcomes End of topic test: Data structures, Types and searching using SQL
|
| Summer Term | Python Programming | Pupils develop the skills required for the Programming Project
Variables Data types (integer/string/float/boolean) Functions (print/input) Loops (For and While) Selection (If and Else) Functions and Procedures Libraries (Math/Random) Assessment: Python challenges and algorithms
|
Year 11 GCSE Computer Science (OCR)
| Half-Term | Topic | Summary |
| Autumn Term | Python Programming NEA project
Revision for both papers |
Pupils will commence their CA (20 hours)
Controlled Assessment conditions: No talking No use of the internet Use of specialised user account Own work only/No plagiarism
December mock examinations (Paper 1 and Paper 2) |
| Spring Term | Revision for Exam 1
Revision for Exam 2 |
|
| Summer Term | Revision for Exam 1
Revision for Exam 2 |
OCR GCSE examinations (Paper 1 and Paper 2) |
Last updated: November 13, 2018 at 17:49 pm