Page 16 - Key Stage 4 Information Booklet 2022 - 2023 (1)

Computing – Acting Head of Department – Mr K Smith

Computer Science - Specifications:
OCR Computing J277

Supporting resources and specification for this course can be found at http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/
but there are more resources available on our SharePoint which covers all of the theory and programming
that is studied by students. It is very important that students become familiar with Sharepoint at home as
well as at school as it will have a crucial role in the work students do in this course. It is essential that students
have access to their own computer.
Students are encouraged to maximise their use of Microsoft Teams.

Examination:
Component 1 Computer Systems
(Examined in the summer of Year 11, 1-hour 30minutes, 50% of the overall GCSE)
Introduces students to the central processing unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, wired and wireless
networks, network topologies, system security and system software. It also looks at ethical, legal, cultural and
environmental concerns associated with computer science.

Component 2 Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming
(Examined in the summer of Year 11, 1-hour 30minutes, 50% of the overall GCSE)
Students apply knowledge and understanding gained in unit 1. They develop skills and understanding in
computational thinking: algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational
logic, translators and data representation. The skills and knowledge developed within this unit will support
the learner when completing the Programming Project.

Both units are delivered by Mr Smith. Regular revision is a requirement to ensure that previous theory &
programming skills delivered are well grounded in preparation for their final examinations at the end of the
academic year. There are numerous resources available already on ‘SharePoint’ that students should utilise to
ensure they are prepared for their examinations. With the examinations in the subject worth 100% of the
overall mark, the theory and the programming are more important than ever.

Programming Practise

Students are to be given the opportunity to undertake programming task(s) using python during their course
of study which allows them to develop their skills to design, write, test and refine programs using a high-level
programming language. Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations, in particular
component 02.

Further resources for the programming project can be found on SharePoint. Students will need to ensure they
are familiar with the concepts of Python that can be found there to be successful with the project. Python
activities/learning should be completed at home to supplement what students learn in lesson and websites
like https://www.learnpython.org/ and www.repl.it allow students to learn the Python programming language
in an interesting and dynamic way.

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