Students will be able to :

• Use logical reasoning to solve problems
• Understand how to use sequence, selection and iteration when programming
• Use 2 or more block and text-based programming languages to solve a variety of computational problems
• Understand simple Boolean logic and some of its uses
• Understand how numbers can be represented in binary
• Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
• Understand how data of various types can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits
• Undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications, including collecting and analysing data
• Understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, Recognise fake news and know how to web search effectively

Year 7

• Introduction to Computing
• Recognising fake news and intelligent web searching
• Using spreadsheets effectively
• Understanding and using programming techniques of sequence, selection and iteration
• Cryptography

Year 8

• Computer systems
• Networks
• Using, adapting and improving programs using sequence, selection and iteration

Artificial intelligence

Year 9

• Binary and Logic
• Data Science
• Using, adapting and improving programs using sequence, selection and iteration
• Digital media
• IT skills in preparation for GCSE

Students will develop analytical and problem-solving skills, programming skills, and logical reasoning skills.

Qualification: GCSE
Exam Board: AQA
Exam: Paper 1 Computational skills and programming 50%
Exam: Paper 2 Computer science theory 50%
Exam Structure: Paper 1 is a 2 hour written exam, Paper 2 is 1 hour 45 minutes written exam, sat in the summer of Year 11
Link to specification: AQA GCSE Computer Science

Course Overview:

• Fundamentals of algorithms
• Programming
• Fundamentals of data representation
• Computer systems
• Fundamentals of computer networks
• Cyber security
• Relational databases and structured query language (SQL)
• Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy

Students will study topics including data representation, communication and networks, computer systems, software development, and programming. They will also be able to appreciate the ethical issues that arise with current and emerging computing technologies.

Qualification: A-Level
Exam Board: AQA
Coursework: 20% Programming project
Exam: 40% Paper 1 Skeleton program
Exam: 40% Paper 2 Computer science theory
Exam Structure: Paper 1 is 2 hours 30 minutes which is programming tasks completed on a computer, based on the skeleton program, Paper 2 is 2 hours 30 minutes on the theory side of computing, both exam papers sat in the summer of Year 13

Link to specification: AQA AS and A-level Computer Science

Course Overview:

• Fundamentals of programming
• Fundamentals of data structures
• Fundamentals of algorithms
• Theory of computation
• Fundamentals of data representation
• Fundamentals of computer systems
• Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
• Consequences of uses of computing
• Fundamentals of communication and networking
• Fundamentals of databases
• Big Data
• Fundamentals of functional programming
• Systematic approach to problem solving
• Non-exam assessment – the computing practical project