Colchester Royal Grammar School: Computing

Computing

GCSE Courses

Today people need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to enable them to participate in a technological society. These skills are just as essential as numeracy and literacy. In year 10 all students follow a short course in GCSE ICT with the option to continue to a full GCSE in year 11.

OCR GCSE (Short Course) in ICT A 1094

In year 10, students build upon their knowledge gained at Key Stage 3, by following a short course in ICT. At Key Stage 4 they will be taught:

Computer systems: components and types of system
Input and output devices
Storage devices and media
Introductory communications
Data types and terminology
Information management and effects of IT: legal issues, implications, health and safety
Word processing, desk-top publishing and other presentation software
Graphics production and image manipulation
Spreadsheets, modelling and databases
Data logging and control software
Systems tasks and software

Assessment for the Short Course is via one written paper and two pieces of coursework. The written paper is worth 40% of the GCSE and the two projects are both worth 30%. The topics for the two projects can be chosen by the student and will be based on Communication and Applications.

OCR GCSE (Full Course) in ICT A 1994

In Year 11, students can choose to sit a further two modules and study for a full GCSE in ICT. In year 11 students will be taught:

Computer Technology
Legal, Economic and Political Issues Relating to the Use of ICT
Information Systems and Applications
Networks (Wide and Local Area Networks)
System Life Cycle

Assessment is as for the short course, plus one extra written paper, worth 20%, and another piece of coursework. The topic for this coursework can be chosen by the student and is worth 30% of the marks.

A-Level Course (AQA AS 5511, A 6511)

Full specification

The course seeks to extend and deepen the experience gained by students from the Information Technology Component of the National Curriculum. The work requires a systematic and logical approach to problem-solving and seeks to develop students’ knowledge of the principles and uses of computing.

AS-Level Course

Unit 1 (17.5%)
Computing Fundamentals 1: Computer systems, programming, information and data representation, communication and networking.
Assessed by a written paper of 90 minutes of short and structured questions.

Unit 2 (17.5%)
Computing Fundamentals 2: Computer applications and effects, files and databases, operating systems, hardware devices.
Assessed by a written paper of 90 minutes of short and structured questions.

Unit 3 (15%)
Practical Systems Development: A different exercise each year that will require students to analyse, design, implement, test and evaluate a computer system.
This is externally assessed by a written report.

A2-Level Course

Unit 4 (15%)
Advanced Computing Fundamentals 1: Machine level structure, programming concepts, machine operation and assembly language, data representation in computers, operating systems.
Assessed by a written paper of 90 minutes of short and structured questions.

Unit 5 (15%)
Advanced Computing Fundamentals 2: Applications and effects of computer systems, files and databases, systems development, hardware devices, networking.
Assessed by a written paper of 90 minutes of short and structured questions.

Unit 6 (20%)
The Project: an in-depth undertaking over an extended period of time, to provide a working computer-based solution to a perceived problem.
Assessment is by project folder and practical solution.

Beyond A-level

The pace of technological advance is relentless, and with it the need to understand and effectively use the tools upon which society increasingly relies. The knowledge of, and confidence to use, computing technology is an integral skill of modern life; as is the rejection of computing where it is an inappropriate response. Thus the course will be relevant equally to those considering a career in computing and those who will want to use computing in their further studies or subsequent careers.