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The Computing course at The London Oratory takes pupils all the way from basic processing skills up to and including more sophisticated programming techniques. It enjoys its own designated computing space and enough hardware and software to enable supportive exposure to the white heat of technology! A great course for budding coders and code breakers, pupils are supported into pitting their wits and putting their minds into the enigmatic world of computing.
Pupils in First and Second Form are given the opportunity to develop their skills in using ICT and in coding. They learn how to produce effective PowerPoint presentations using hyperlinks and how spreadsheets can be used for modelling and analysing “what-if?” scenarios. As well as continuing with Scratch programming, pupils also start to lean coding with Python, a powerful but easy to use high-level programming language. Some of the theory behind computers is covered during these two years, including binary numbers and CPU functions, and e-Safety continues to be emphasized throughout.
Outline of Syllabus
GCSE Computer Science is a practical subject in which pupils can apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real-world problems. It is a creative subject that involves invention and will utilise computational thinking to help pupils develop the skills to solve problems and design computer systems. Pupils will find it particularly useful if they have a computer of their own that runs Windows and Microsoft Office. Also, pupils opting for this subject should have good mathematical / logic skills and preferably some experience with basic programming.
The course is split into three main areas:
Component 01; Computer Systems
This component will introduce pupils to the Central Processing Unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, system security and system software. It is expected that pupils will become familiar with the impact of Computer Science in a global context through the study of the ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns associated with Computer Science.
Component 02; Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming
This component incorporates and builds on the knowledge and understanding gained in Component 01, encouraging pupils to apply this knowledge and understanding using computational thinking. Pupils will be introduced to algorithms and programming, learning about programming techniques, how to produce robust programms, computational logic, translators and facilities of computing languages and data representation. Pupils will become familiar with computing related mathematics.
Programming Project
This is a programming task where pupils will be challenged by a range of engaging tasks to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned. During this project, pupils will use the Python programming language to design, build and test a coded solution to a problem set by OCR. The project does not count towards a pupil’s final grade, but is a requirement of the course.
Scheme of Assessment
J276/01
Computer Systems
Theoretical unit includes a mixture of long and short answer questions, to demonstrate knowledge & understanding of the key concepts and principles of Computer Science,
50%
(80 marks)
1½ hr exam.
J276/02
Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming
Theoretical unit includes a mixture of long and short answer questions; some will require candidates to write program code.
50%
(80 marks)
1½ hr exam.
Awarding Body: OCR
Specification: GCSE Computer Science J276
