Computer Science
| Specific Course Entry Requirements |
A minimum grade 5 in GCSE Computer Science and a grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics is required |
| Examination Levels Offered | AS and A-Level |
| Examination Board | OCR |
"Everybody should learn how to code because it teaches you how to think” Steve Jobs
Oxted School has been designated as a Lead School in the Network of Teaching Excellence by the British Computing Society and the Department for Education in the Computing at Schools Network.
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.
Course Content: The content of this A-Level in Computer Science (H446) is divided into three components:
Computer Systems Component (01) - 40% of qualification
This unit contains the majority of the content of the specification and is assessed in a written paper recalling knowledge and understanding. Component 01 will cover the characteristics of contemporary systems architecture and other areas including the following:
- The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
- Software and software development
- Programming
- Exchanging data
- Data types, data structures and algorithms
- Legal, moral, ethical and cultural issues
Algorithms and Programming Component (02) - 40% of qualification
This unit relates principally to problem solving skills needed by learners to apply the knowledge and understanding encountered in Component 01. There’ll be a short scenario/task contained in the paper, which could be an algorithm or a text page-based task, which will involve problem solving. Other areas covered include the following:
- Elements of computational thinking
- Problem solving and programming
- Algorithms
Programming Project Component (03 or 04) - 20% of qualification
This unit is a practical portfolio based assessment with a task that is chosen by the teacher or learner and is produced in an appropriate programming language. Mathematical skills and logical thinking are embedded throughout the content of the three components. They will be assessed in the written papers and through the non-examined assessment where appropriate.
Staff Contact:
Mr L Turner - lee.turner@oxted.thpt.org.uk