Computer Science Key Stage 4

 

Students are studying the OCR exam board for Computer Science. The specification can be found here: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/558027-specification-gcse-computer-science-j277.pdf

In year 10 students will start to look at certain aspects of Computing in more detail. Students will firstly look at the setup of computer networks and their importance in the modern day world of work for a range of different areas. Students will look at how different companies implement and use technology and any issues that might arise during the setup of a network. Students will then start to develop a better idea of the constructs that are used behind the program code of different software. Students will learn how to plan their program using Pseudocode and how to implement their program in a particular programming language which is Visual Basic.

In year 11 students will build up a great depth of knowledge and understanding in topics we have already covered. Students will have a big focus on exam questions this year practising a range of techniques that they can use to succeed in their exam. 

1011
Key Concepts

Computer Science In Depth

Computer Science in practice.

Autumn Term

(Sep-Dec)

Networking within Computer Science.

 

Students will develop a better understanding of how networks are used and implemented within different areas of Computing. Students will be able to identify hardware needed to set up and maintain a network.

 

Students will develop an understanding of threats that can arise throughout networking and how these threats can impact on a wider computer system.

 

Students will learn the protective measures that can be put in place to maximise the security of a network

Students will develop a more detailed understanding of the architecture within the CPU and the components that make up Von Neumann Architecture.

 

Students will develop a greater understanding of memory and storage and the differences between these two areas.

 

Students will gain a better understanding of system software and the roles of the operating system within the Computer.

Quality Mark Assessments

Students will complete an end of topic test on networking hardware, networking structure and threats and security measures within networking.

Students will complete the end of topic tests with exam style questions for CPU and computer architecture, memory and storage and software.

Spring Term

(Jan-April)

Students will look at how data is transferred across a network in more detail which includes packet switching and protocols.

 

Students will develop their understanding on the importance of programming, Students will develop an understanding of how programs are planned using algorithms and pseudocode. Students 

 

Students will learn about data that is used when programming software which include variables, constants, arrays, integers, real, and strings.

 

Students will get a better understanding of the programing constructs that are sequence, selection and iteration.

Students will look at how data is transferred across a network in more detail which includes packet switching and protocols.

 

Students will develop their understanding on the importance of programming, Students will develop an understanding of how programs are planned using algorithms and pseudocode. Students 

 

Students will learn about data that is used when programming software which include variables, constants, arrays, integers, real, and strings.

 

Students will get a better understanding of the programing constructs that are sequence, selection and iteration. 

 

.

Quality Mark Assessments

Students will complete an end of topic test with exam style questions for the following units: Network Protocols and data transfer methods, Programming constructs and Algorithms.

Students will complete an end of topic test with exam style questions for the following units: Algorithms, producing robust programs and debugging code and searching and sorting algorithms

Summer Term

(May-July)

Students will develop their programming skills even further by implementing the previously taught constructs into bigger and more complex programs. 

 

Students will develop a range of programming skills here and will complete a portfolio to demonstrate the programs they have developed throughout this unit.

 

Students will develop an understanding of making a robust program which includes defensive design and maintainability of program code. Students will also look at the importance of translators and compilers during the software development stage.

Students will learn about logic gates and how truth tables can show a list of complex inputs and outputs. Students will recognise boolean logic expressions and shapes.

 

Students will be revising previously taught topics here through a range of techniques including recall and retention, interactive quizzes and exam questions/techniques.

Quality Mark Assessments

Students will complete an assessed portfolio which includes a range of programming skills they have developed. Students are assessed on their understanding of the code they have developed. S

 

Students will complete an end of topic test on defensive design, maintainability and translator.

Students will complete an end of topic test on trace tables, boolean logic and logic gates.

 

Students will then sit the OCR Computer Science Exam.


10

Key Concepts

Computer Science In Depth

Quality Mark Assessments

Autumn Term

(Sep-Dec)

Networking within Computer Science.

 

Students will develop a better understanding of how networks are used and implemented within different areas of Computing. Students will be able to identify hardware needed to set up and maintain a network.

 

Students will develop an understanding of threats that can arise throughout networking and how these threats can impact on a wider computer system.

 

Students will learn the protective measures that can be put in place to maximise the security of a network

Quality Mark Assessments

Students will complete an end of topic test on networking hardware, networking structure and threats and security measures within networking.

Spring Term

(Jan-April)

Students will look at how data is transferred across a network in more detail which includes packet switching and protocols.

 

Students will develop their understanding on the importance of programming, Students will develop an understanding of how programs are planned using algorithms and pseudocode. Students 

 

Students will learn about data that is used when programming software which include variables, constants, arrays, integers, real, and strings.

 

Students will get a better understanding of the programing constructs that are sequence, selection and iteration.

Quality Mark Assessments

Students will complete an end of topic test with exam style questions for the following units: Network Protocols and data transfer methods, Programming constructs and Algorithms.

Summer Term

(May-July)

Students will develop their programming skills even further by implementing the previously taught constructs into bigger and more complex programs. 

 

Students will develop a range of programming skills here and will complete a portfolio to demonstrate the programs they have developed throughout this unit.

 

Students will develop an understanding of making a robust program which includes defensive design and maintainability of program code. Students will also look at the importance of translators and compilers during the software development stage.

Quality Mark Assessments

Students will complete an assessed portfolio which includes a range of programming skills they have developed. Students are assessed on their understanding of the code they have developed. S

 

Students will complete an end of topic test on defensive design, maintainability and translator.


11

Key Concepts

Computer Science in practice.

Quality Mark Assessments

Autumn Term

(Sep-Dec)

Students will develop a more detailed understanding of the architecture within the CPU and the components that make up Von Neumann Architecture.

 

Students will develop a greater understanding of memory and storage and the differences between these two areas.

 

Students will gain a better understanding of system software and the roles of the operating system within the Computer.

Quality Mark Assessments

Students will complete the end of topic tests with exam style questions for CPU and computer architecture, memory and storage and software.

Spring Term

(Jan-April)

Students will look at how data is transferred across a network in more detail which includes packet switching and protocols.

 

Students will develop their understanding on the importance of programming, Students will develop an understanding of how programs are planned using algorithms and pseudocode. Students 

 

Students will learn about data that is used when programming software which include variables, constants, arrays, integers, real, and strings.

 

Students will get a better understanding of the programing constructs that are sequence, selection and iteration. 

 

.

Quality Mark Assessments

Students will complete an end of topic test with exam style questions for the following units: Algorithms, producing robust programs and debugging code and searching and sorting algorithms

Summer Term

(May-July)

Students will learn about logic gates and how truth tables can show a list of complex inputs and outputs. Students will recognise boolean logic expressions and shapes.

 

Students will be revising previously taught topics here through a range of techniques including recall and retention, interactive quizzes and exam questions/techniques.

Quality Mark Assessments

Students will complete an end of topic test on trace tables, boolean logic and logic gates.

 

Students will then sit the OCR Computer Science Exam.