Computer Science (GCSE)

Exam Board: OCR

Course Overview: 

During this course, students will be introduced to a wide variety of computing concepts and will have the opportunity to explore these through the work that they produce. The course is structured so that the students build up their skills in both computer science theory as well as computer programming in the Python programming language. Computer Science allows 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.

This course will be assessed through 100% terminal examination.

Course Content:

During the course the students will work on three main areas:

Component 01 – Computer Systems: systems architecture, memory, storage, wired and wireless networks, network topologies protocols and layers, systems security, systems software and moral legal cultural/ 

environmental concerns.

Component 02 – Computational Thinking: algorithms and programming, producing robust programs, logic, translators, data representation.

Component 03 – Programming Project: analysis design and development and testing.

Assessment Structure:

The students build their skills and are tested internally. In year 11 students will do a controlled assessment assessed internally. The exam work is also assessed. 

The assessment:

• Computer Systems: 50% Externally assessed.   (1 hour 30 minutes) 

• Computational Thinking: 50% Externally assessed. (1 hour 30  minutes)

• Programming Project:  Non-exam assessment, internally assessed

Career Prospects and Transferable Skills:

Jobs directly related to this course include:

• Application analyst • Business analyst

• Data analyst • Database administrator

• Digital copywriter • Games developer

• Information systems manager • IT consultant

• IT sales professional • IT trainer

• Multimedia programmer • Network engineer

• PPC specialist • Product manager

• Secondary school teacher • SEO specialist

• Social media manager • Systems analyst

• Systems developer • Technical author

• UX analyst • UX designer

• Web designer • Web developer

Further Information:  Toby  Adams (Head of Computing) - email: toby.adams@scwa.org.uk