To educate students to be successful, ethical, and effective problem-solvers; enabling them to utilise these computational skills within other subjects. Fostering knowledge and expertise to contribute positively to the economic well-being and tackling complex 21st Century digital and computational challenges.
OVERVIEW OF COURSE
Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems.
It’s an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement and can look at the natural world through a digital prism.
PROGRAMME OF STUDY
SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / UNDERSTANDING
The aims of this qualification are to enable learners to develop:
An understanding and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation.
The ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so.
The capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically, and critically.
The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science.
ASSESSMENT
The OCR GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science consists of two externally examined written assessments.
Component 1
Computer Systems Exam
1.5 Hours
50 % of total GCSE
Component 2
Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming Exam
1.5 Hours
50 % of total GCSE
This paper will have two sections: Section A and Section B. Students must answer both sections. In Section B student’s ability to write or refine algorithms must be answered using the OCR Reference Language or the high-level language they are familiar with [Python].
HOW PARENTS / CARERS CAN HELP
BBC Click videos to enhance awareness of new technologies.
Encourage reading of technology magazines such as “Hello”.
Watch the news on television.
Use of free programming websites such as Code Club & Trinket.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
Where possible the department aims to organise enrichment for students where they can handle cutting edge technology and work with Engineers, Technologists and Scientists to explore computing beyond the classroom.
The department has strong links with Cisco where students attend workshops to see cybersecurity, network, and software development in action.
RECOMMENDED READING / OTHER RESOURCES
Information about the course - https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j276-from-2016/
E-RESOURCES
Letts - GCSE Success - Download free audio book from
www.collins.co.uk/lettsGCSErevision
Coding Club code cards
http://codingclub.co.uk/codecards/index.php
Flashcards
https://www.cram.com/flashcards/ocr-computer-science-revision-6714147
https://www.brainscape.com/subjects/gcse-computer-science
https://quizlet.com/24669700/ocr-computing-gcse-flash-cards/
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/g/revision-tests/computer-science-revision-cards
https://tinycards.duolingo.com/decks/64aXVL43/computer-science-revision
Cambridge Computing MOOC
http://www.cambridgegcsecomputing.org
BBC Bitesize GCSE Computing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z34k7ty
Teach-ICT.com
http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing/ocr/GCSE_A451_topics.html
Mr Fraser Computing resources
SAM Learning
https://platform.samlearning.com
S Robson & P Heathcote - OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer Science
Collins - OCR GCSE Computer Science All-in-One Revision and Practice (Collins GCSE 9-1 Revision) - Paperback £10.99
Letts - GCSE Computer Science Complete Revision & Practice £9.78
Letts - GCSE Success - Computer Science Exam Practice Workbook £5.99
Letts - GCSE Success - Computer Science Revision Guide £5.99
GCSE Computer Science OCR Complete Revision & Practice - Grade 9-1 (with Online Edition) (CGP GCSE Computer Science 9-1 Revision)
GCSE Computer Science OCR Practice Papers - for the Grade 9-1 Course (CGP GCSE Computer Science 9-1 Revision)
Hodder Education, George Rouse - OCR GCSE Computer Science My Revision Note
CGP - GCSE OCR Computer Science for the grade 9-1 course - The revision guide
Revise OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer Science Revision Workbook:for the 9-1 exams (REVISE OCR GCSE Computer Science) - David Waller
Hodder Education, George Rouse - OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer Science
Revise OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer Science Revision Guide: (with free online edition) (REVISE OCR GCSE Computer Science)-David Waller
GCSE Computer Science for OCR Student Book- David Waller
GCSE Computer Science OCR Exam Practice Workbook - for the Grade 9-1 Course (includes Answers) (CGP GCSE Computer Science 9-1 Revision)
Python by Example: Learning to Program in 150 Challenges by Nichola Lacey
GCSE Computer Science NEA Programming Guide: Python Edition by Dorothy Williams and Alan Milosevic