Computer Science
Our Vision is to equip students with the computational thinking skills, technical knowledge, and digital literacy necessary to thrive in an increasingly technological world, while fostering creativity, problem-solving abilities, and responsible digital citizenship.
Curriculum Intent
Our Core Intention is to deliver a rigorous curriculum aligned with the National Curriculum and examination board specifications and develop students' understanding of fundamental computing concepts, programming paradigms, and computational thinking. We provide hands-on experience with multiple programming languages (Scratch, Python, C#, HTML/CSS, SQL).
We also aim to develop digital literacy and responsible technology use whilst preparing students for emerging fields including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science. We encourage collaboration, resilience, and perseverance in tackling complex computational challenges. Our aim is to support students in becoming confident, creative, and socially responsible digital citizens
Students will leave our department as confident, competent, and critical thinkers who can apply computational methods to real-world problems and make informed contributions to our digital society.
Department Team
Miss S. Baker - Head of Computer Science
Mr A. Levett - Teacher of Computer Science
Mrs M. Pavlov - Teacher of Computer Science
Curriculum at a glance
Key Stage 3
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed to provide all students with a broad, deep, and engaging foundation in computer science. We aim to foster genuine computational thinking, logical reasoning, and creative problem-solving. By the end of Year 9, students will have a solid understanding of how computers work, the confidence to create with code, and the critical skills needed to thrive at GCSE and beyond. The curriculum is designed to build sequentially, ensuring that knowledge and skills are revisited and deepened each year.
Year 7: Foundations of Computing
The focus in Year 7 is on establishing core concepts and building student confidence. Students are introduced to the fundamental principles of computer science in an accessible and creative way.
E-Safety & Digital Citizenship: An in-depth focus on online privacy, security, cyberbullying, and becoming responsible digital citizens.
Introduction to Computational Thinking: Problem decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithm design are explored through "unplugged" activities and simple programming challenges.
Block-Based Programming (Scratch): Students learn the core principles of sequence, selection, and iteration by creating games, animations, and interactive stories. This removes the barrier of syntax, allowing them to focus purely on logic.
Data Representation (Binary): A basic introduction to how computers use binary digits to represent text and numbers.
Micro:bit Projects: A hands-on introduction to physical computing, where students write code to interact with the physical world using sensors, LEDs, and buttons.
Text-Based Programming (Python): Students make the crucial leap to a professional text-based language. They start with turtle graphics to learn syntax and basic commands, then move on to creating simple programs using variables, input/output, and data types (strings, integers).
Year 8: Developing Proficiency
In Year 8, students build upon their foundational knowledge by deepening their understanding and tackling more complex challenges.
Programming Constructs: A deeper exploration of selection (if/elif/else statements) and iteration (count-controlled and condition-controlled loops) to solve more complex problems.
Data Representation (Images & Sound): Extending their knowledge to understand how images (pixels, colour depth) and sound are stored digitally.
Web Development (HTML & CSS): Students learn the foundational languages of the web to create and style their own basic, multi-page websites, understanding the difference between structure (HTML) and presentation (CSS).
Algorithms: Introduction to algorithms using the flowcharting software FLOWOL
Year 9: Mastery and Consolidation
Year 9 is about mastery, consolidation, and preparation for GCSE. Students tackle advanced topics and are challenged to build more sophisticated projects.
Advanced Python Programming: Students delve deeper into Python, mastering the use of lists (arrays), functions for code reusability, and further exploration of iteration (repeating loops).
Computational Thinking Challenges: Applying their programming skills to solve complex problems, developing efficient algorithms, and considering computational efficiency.
Ethics, Law & The Digital World: A mature exploration of the ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental impacts of technology, including AI and cyber security.
Databases (SQL): An introduction to relational databases, where students learn to define, manipulate, and query data using SQL.
Representation of Data (Advanced): Understand simple Boolean logic [for example, AND, OR and NOT] and some of its uses in circuits and programming.
Key Stage 4
OCR J277 GCSE Computer Science
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.
We use the Python programming language at Key Stage 4 although students are encouraged to learn other languages.
The course is assessed through two written examinations.
Paper 1: Computer Systems (50%)
Paper 2: Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming (50%)
Key Stage 5
AQA 7517 A-level Computer Science
The AQA A-Level Computer Science course is a rigorous and intellectually stimulating programme designed for students who wish to explore the deep principles of computing. It moves beyond basic programming to focus on computational thinking, problem-solving, and the theoretical foundations that underpin modern technology. The course prepares students for further study and careers in any field requiring logical reasoning and technical proficiency.
We use the C# programming language at Key Stage 5 although students are encouraged to learn other languages, particularly when implementing their NEA.
The course is assessed through three components:
Component 1: Programming (On-screen exam, 40% of A-Level)
Component 2: Computer Science Fundamentals (Written exam, 40% of A-Level)
Component 3: Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) Practical Project (Coursework, 20% of A-Level)
Enrichment and support
Extra-curricular Clubs, Competitions, Trips and Workshops
We run a very popular Programming club for y7-11 which is led by sixth form students. The senior students run their own Computing Society which hosts talks on a wide variety of Computing topics. All students are supported by targeted lunchtime sessions with teaching staff and individual one to one sessions with student mentors.
We run regular trips to The Computing History Museum, The Science Museum, Bletchley Park and The National Museum of Computing.
Students further extend their computational thinking skills by entering challenges such as Bebras, the Perse Coding Team Challenge, The Raspberry Pi Coding Challenge and the British Informatics Olympiad.
