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Computer Science
BackIntroduction
At Tabor we are very proud of the facilities that are available for all our students. We have numerous computer suites, containing between 20 and 30 PC’s in each, plus laptops, meaning every student is guaranteed a PC to themselves when he/she needs to work individually.
Tabor has both a wired and wireless network so that students can carry out their studies throughout the school. In addition, we have a network that allows every student to access their individual profile anywhere within the building.
Every student has a school e-mail account that can be used both in and out of school to e-mail work home and vice versa. Students also have access to Google Classroom via a school account enabling students to access lessons and home learning outside of school. We expect students to respect the hardware and software they use in order that they can make the best possible progress in every lesson. We also expect students to complete classwork and homework the best of their ability.
Aims
To ensure that students become proficient in a wide variety of hardware and software so that they can make best and safest use of digital technology in their lives.
For all students to develop important computational thinking skills which will enable them to think and analyse in a logical fashion, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities.
KS3
Autumn Term
Year 7 students will begin the year with the Introduction to Computer Science unit. They will look at all the key components of a computer and its features. Year 7 will then move on to the Binary Representation unit which looks at the way in which computers communicate.
Year 8 students will start the Computers unit of work and will be to explain the different types of networks used within a school setting. Year 8 will then move onto creating their own websites using HTML coding.
Year 9 students will continue their programming journey with being able to decompose and abstract basic programming problems using computational thinking skills. Year 9 will then develop their Python programming skills to solve a range of programming problems.
Spring Term
In the spring term KS3 will mainly focus on e-safety in which they will be required to investigate key e-safety advice, risks and threats associated with being online and issues associated with sexting and online grooming. We also ensure all work ties in with Safer Internet Day.
In the second spring term Year 7 students will move on to Graphics unit in which they will focus on creating theme park maps using vector tools.
Year 8 students will investigate data modelling, looking at how to analyse and manipulate data and present data using graphs and charts.
Year 9 students will develop their understanding of binary numbers and delve into logic gates circuits linking with mathematical concepts such as Boolean algebra.
Summer Term
Year 7 students will begin with the control unit and use Flowol software to control a sequence of instructions for a given mimic. They will then later move on to the Introduction to Python unit which aims to develop students understanding of text-based programming.
Year 8 students will begin the summer term with the Binary unit and look binary representation and the way in which computers communicate. They will then also move onto Python programming but build on their prior knowledge of Python with the focus being iterative statements and various loops.
Year 9 students will begin the summer term by looking at the ethics behind e-waste and the positive/negative impacts of technology. They will then move on to learning about how different types of software work and how the different types of hardware interact with this software.
KS4
Computer science plays a key role in helping to solve problems across all aspects of society. This course helps students to prepare to play their part in shaping the future of the world.
- The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:
- understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation
- analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs
- think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
- understand the components that make up digital systems and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
- understand the impact of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy and cybersecurity
- apply mathematical skills relevant to computer science.
Year 10 Course
Students in year 10 GCSE Computer Science will be studying Edexcel GCSE 9-1 in Computer Science.
Examination Level: GCSE
Examination Group: EDEXCEL
Examination Value: 100 %
Examination Code: 1CP2
Examination Structure: 2 examinations: Paper 1 - Principles of Computer Science (1 hour 30 minutes); Paper 2 – Application of Computational Thinking (2 hours);
Units studied:
Component 1 – Principles of Computer Science - 1 hour 30 minutes; 50% of the grade. Externally assessed. This paper consists of five compulsory questions, each one focused on one of the topic areas.
This paper will assess Topics 1 to 5:
Topic 1: Computational thinking – understanding of what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work; ability to follow, amend and write algorithms; ability to construct truth tables.
Topic 2: Data – understanding of binary, data representation, data storage and compression.
Topic 3: Computers – understanding of hardware and software components of computer systems and characteristics of programming languages.
Topic 4: Networks – understanding of computer networks and network security.
Topic 5: Issues and impact – awareness of emerging trends in computing technologies, and the impact of computing on individuals, society and the environment, including ethical, legal and ownership issues
Component 2 – Application of computational thinking – 2 hours; 50% of the grade. On screen examination. Externally assessed.
This practical paper requires students to design, write, test and refine programs in order to solve problems.
This paper will assess Topic 6: Problem solving with programming.
The focus of this paper is:
- understanding what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work in relation to creating programs
- understanding how to decompose and analyse problems
- ability to read, write, refine and evaluate programs.
GCSE Results' 2023
Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 42.1% grade 9 to 4
GCSE Results 2022
Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 53.3% grade 9 to 4
Support for learning
KS3
The following websites are useful for our KS3 students:
The link below is very useful for students who wish to practice their programming but might not have Python or JavaScript installed locally.
The links below are useful for students and parents who might want to find out more about internet safety.
KS4
These websites are useful for our KS4 students (please note that Year 10 students will be following the new 2020 Edexcel GCSE 9-1 in Computer Science):
The link below will stake students to the subject page for Computer Science on the Edexcel site where past papers and mark schemes can be downloaded.
Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (2020 specification)
The following links feature walkthroughs of sample assessments for both papers:
Edexcel GCSE Computer Science Paper 1 walkthrough on You Tube
Edexcel GCSE Computer Science Paper 2 walkthrough on You Tube
The following video clips are excellent to watch before a topic is taught in class for either GCSE Computer Science course. They are also excellent revision sources.
Craig N Dave Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (You Tube clips)
These two revision books are extremely useful for KS4 students are they approach mock and final GCSE exams (Year 11 students only)
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science 9-1 Revision Guide and Workbook (ISBN numbers 9781292131207 and 9781292131191 respectively).
Supporting Students outside the Classroom
Accessing work from home - Students in all years have a Google Classroom account where most lesson materials and home study can also be found. This can be accessed by students using their school Gmail accounts on any device.
Programming - The link below is very useful for students who wish to practice their programming but might not have Python or JavaScript installed locally.
Why consider this subject?
Computer Science encourages students to be inspired, and challenged through completing a qualification that teaches students to think logically and computationally. It will prepare students a range of careers and post 16 options with transferrable skills which are in high demand.
Extra Curricular
KS3
We run a lunchtime club for our KS3 students using BBC Microbit providing an opportunity to develop an understanding of Python and Javascript for programming a physical device. This club runs every Thursday lunchtime in room 118 from 1.30 – 1.55. This club is run by Mr Coulson.
KS4 and 5
We offer support every Friday afterschool in room 118 between 3.30 – 4.10 for our KS4 and 5 students. This session is for any student that would like to further develop their skills and understanding of GCSE and A Level Computer Science. These sessions are run by Mr Coulson.
