Edexcel Computer Science GCSE:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/computer-science-2020.html

The course is examined by two written papers and an NEA (Non examined assessment) which consists of a set programming task that has to be completed in lessons under controlled conditions over 20 hours.

What will you learn about?

There are 6 main topics;

• Computational Thinking
• Data
• Networks
• Computers
• Issues and impact

Component 1 – Principles of Computer Science 
1 hour 30 mins written paper
All 5 topics as above
50%

Component 2 – Application of Computational Thinking
2 hour written paper
Problem solving with programming
50%

To be successful in this subject students will need to be good at and enjoy:

Mathematics and problem solving.  You need to be tenacious and not give up when something does not work first time.  You need to be willing to embrace new technologies and learn a programming language.   Pupils should be aware that this is a challenging GCSE and should only opt for it if they have strong mathematical skills and a deep interest in the subject.

Progression routes & career opportunities

This course develops ‘underpinning knowledge’ and transferable skills for progression to A levels or BTEC Nationals and to higher education or the workplace. It includes topics that extend students’ understanding and aid progression, such as the internet and databases. It will provide learners with a range of transferable skills which will facilitate personal growth and foster cross curriculum links in areas such as maths, science and design and technology. Computer Science is a very creative subject and skills such as problem solving and analytical thinking will all be refined and explored as learners progress through the learning and assessment programme.

The skills and knowledge developed through this qualification help 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 impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society
• apply mathematical skills relevant to computer science

Homework/extended learning

There is some homework relating to the theory aspect of the subject.  In addition students are expected to practise their programming skills. Learning a programming language is like learning a natural language and the more they practise the better.

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.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study

A level Course description

OCR Computer Science A level:

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce/computer-science-h046-h446-from-2015/

Computer Systems 01
140 Marks, 40% weighting
Duration: 2h30m
The internal workings of the (CPU), data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. Calculators not allowed.

Algorithms and programming (02)*
140 Marks, 40% weighting
Duration: 2h30m
Using computational thinking to solve problems. Calculators not allowed.

Programming project (03)*
70 Marks, 20% weighting
Non-exam assessment.
Students will be expected to analyse a problem (10 marks), and design (15 marks), develop and test (25 marks), and evaluate and document (20 marks) a program. The program must be to solve it written in a suitable programming language.

What will you learn about?

Students will learn about many different aspects of computer science.

Paper 1

• The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
• Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software
• Data exchange between different systems
• Data types, data structures and algorithms

Paper 2

• Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
• What is meant by computational thinking (thinking abstractly, thinking ahead, thinking procedurally etc.)
• Problem solving and programming – how computers and programs can be used to solve problems
• Algorithms and how they can be used to describe and solve problems

Our students learn to program in Pascal using a virtual machine in order to assist with paper 2 and to enable them to code a solution to their chosen problem for their programming project.

To be successful in this subject students will need to be good at and enjoy:

Mathematics and problem solving. You need to be tenacious and not give up when something does not work first time.  You need to be willing to embrace new technologies and learn a programming language.   There are no prior qualification requirements for this specification but at Coopers’ Coborn we ask students to have gained GCSE Mathematics grade 6 or above.

Progression routes & career opportunities

This course will enable learners to progress to higher study or to progress directly to employment. This qualification is suitable for learners intending to pursue any career in which an understanding of technology is needed. The qualification is also suitable for any further study as part of a course of general education. It will provide learners with a range of transferable skills which will facilitate personal growth and foster cross curriculum links in areas such as maths, science and design and technology. Computer Science is a very creative subject and skills such as problem solving and analytical thinking will all be refined and explored as learners progress through the learning and assessment programme.

Homework/extended learning

There is some homework relating to the theory aspect of the subject; traditional questions and essays.  In addition students are expected to practise their programming skills.  Learning a programming language is like learning a natural language and the more they practise the better.

Additional information

We try to provide an environment for our students to learn about new technologies and be aware of what developments there are in the real world.  To this end they participate in conferences and cyber challenges.   Our A level students are encouraged to work with our younger students at clubs; helping with programming and other STEM activities.