Computer Science - Pewsey Vale

Curriculum Statement for Computer Science

Computer Science Curriculum Update 2021

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Subject Leader - Mr T Robinson

tro@pewsey-vale.wilts.sch.uk

Computer Science

Computer Science teaching at Pewsey Vale School follows three strands, Computer Science, ICT and Digital Literacy. In Key Stage Three students cover the basic skills and principles of Computer Science including the components of a computer, simple programming and binary logic. They also learn about the risks of being online and how to stay safe.

Year 7

Autumn Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
September - October	Introduction to School Network & E-Safety	Baseline Online Test	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
November - December	Human Computer	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
Spring Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
January - February	Scratch Programming	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
March - April	Spreadsheets	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
Summer Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
April - May	Introduction BBC Micro: bit	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
June - July	E-Safety Project	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.

Year 8

Autumn Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
September - October	Ethical and Legal Aspects of Computer Science	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
November - December	Data Representation	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
Spring Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
January - February	Networking	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
March - April	Introduction to Python	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
Summer Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
April - May	Sonic Pi	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
June - July	Introduction to HTML/ Robotics Project	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.

Year 9

Autumn Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
September - October	System Architecture	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
November - December	Computational Thinking	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
Spring Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
January - February	Data Representation	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
March - April	Programming Project 1	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
Summer Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
April - May	Basic Office Skills	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.
June - July	Programming Project 2	Assessment of completed classwork and end of topic tests.	Tasks related to the lesson content where applicable.

Assessment

Pupils will be assessed throughout the year on their class work, homework projects and formal tests. Grades will be awarded according to the grade criteria (which is available to download on the school website.).

Assessment Matrices

Click for access to Assessment Matrices

Equipment

All pupils will be expected to bring the basic equipment as per the whole school policy. They are also expected to remember the username and passwords for any computer systems they are required to use in lessons.

Course readers and study guides will be provided in school by the department, where appropriate. Students are able to download any resources that are used in lessons online via the Office 365 system.

Suggested Extension Activities

Completion of Scratch programming projects at home: https://scratch.mit.edu/
Visit Computing museums/exhibitions such as Bletchley Park or the museum of computing in Swindon
Use the code academy website to develop programming skills https://www.codecademy.com/
Invest in a Raspberry Pi computer (about £30) http://uk.farnell.com/buy-raspberry-pi and complete programming projects using online tutorials
Use lesson resources provided online to further develop study set by the classroom teacher in lessons
Watch BBC Click on the BBC news channel/iPlayer.

GCSE Computer Science

Examination Board: OCR
Specification: Computer Science (1-9)

Specification link

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j276-from-2016/

Overview

GCSE Computer Science is engaging and practical, encouraging creativity and problem solving. It encourages students to develop their understanding and application of the core concepts in computer science. Students also analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing and evaluating programs.

The course also contains some advanced mathematical concepts including an understanding of the use of base numbering systems such as binary & hexadecimal. Students will need to be able to understand the concepts behind binary and base number conversions and to deal with and link various programming concepts such as data flow diagrams, data types, variable manipulation, program flow control, functions, procedures & error handling.

The course is split into three components:

Component 01: Computer Systems (50%*): The first component is an exam focused on computer systems covering the physical elements of computer science and the associated theory.

Component 02: Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming (50%*): This component is focused on the core theory of computer science and the application of computer science principles.

Component 03: Programming Project (non-exam assessment) (Compulsory Element*): This component is the non-exam assessment where students will be challenged by a range of exciting and engaging tasks to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned.

*On 8 January 2018, Ofqual confirmed in its consultation outcome that non-exam assessment will not count towards the final grade in GCSE Computer Science. For more information, see the notice to Centres.

Year 10

Autumn Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
September -December	1.1. Systems Architecture 1.2. Memory 1.3. Storage 1.4. Wired and Wireless Networks	Student Workbook, End of Topic Tests, Practice Questions	Watching Flipped Learning Videos. Creating revision notes for each topic.
Spring Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
January – April	1.5. Network Topologies 1.6. System Security 1.7. Systems Software 1.8. Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Concerns.	Student Workbook, End of Topic Tests, Practice Questions.	Watching Flipped Learning Videos. Creating revision notes for each topic.
Summer Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
April - July	2.1. Algorithms 2.2. Programming Techniques	Student Workbook, End of Topic Tests, Practice Questions.	Watching Flipped Learning Videos. Creating revision notes for each topic.

Year 11

Autumn Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
	NEA 2.3. Producing Robust Programs	Student Workbook, End of Topic Tests, Practice Questions.	Watching Flipped Learning Videos. Creating revision notes for each topic.
Spring Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
January – April	NEA 2.4. Computational Logic 2.5. Translators and facilities of languages	Student Workbook, End of Topic Tests, Practice Questions.	Watching Flipped Learning Videos. Creating revision notes for each topic.
Summer Term	Topic	Assessment	Home Learning
April - July	2.6. Data Representation Exam Technique & Revision	Student Workbook, End of Topic Tests, Practice Questions.	Watching Flipped Learning Videos. Creating revision notes for each topic.

Equipment

All pupils will be expected to bring the basic equipment to the lessons as per the whole school policy. They are also expected to remember their username and passwords for any computer systems they are required to use in lessons.

Course readers and study guides will be provided in school by the Department, where appropriate. Students are able to download any resources that are used in lessons online via the Office 365 system.

Assessment

Students are regularly assessed using criteria set by the exam board. Results of assessments are reported to parents/carers at intervals during the academic year.

Home Learning

Students are required to watch YouTube videos in advance of each lesson in order to complete the lesson tasks. Students will also periodically have practice tests to revise for.

Useful resources

Websites:

https://student.craigndave.org

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z34k7ty

https://www.mrfraser.org/

http://www.tecoed.co.uk/index.html

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