Computing taught at The King’s School is intended to provide students with skills to use computers in all areas of the curriculum as well as outside of School. There are many areas of Computing which are covered including databases, spreadsheets, word-processing and programming. Students will also learn about graphics, webpage editing and the use of digital equipment. These areas are all covered to enable students to have a good understanding of computers and their practical application in society.
"Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all"
John F Kennedy
Computing lessons are taught in rooms where each student has access to a computer, microphones, digital cameras and video cameras. The computers are connected to the School's network with access to shared resources.
KS3
At KS3 pupils broadly follow the National Secondary Strategy units of Work that have been adapted by us to stretch and challenge our students.
Year 7 - 1 lesson a week
In Year 7 our students follow a varied curriculum which gives them an insight into a wide range of software and Computing applications.
Topics covered:
- Presentation Software
- Principles of Good Design
- Computer Games Programming
- Sound Editing
- Data Handling - Spreadsheets and Databases
- Internet Safety
Year 8 - 1 double lesson a fortnight
During Year 8 students build on the skills that they have developed in Year 7.
Topics include:
- Computer Control (BBC Microbits and Bit Bots)
- Animation (Adobe Flash)
- Graphics (Adobe Fireworks)
- Web Design (HTML and Adobe Dreamweaver)
Year 9 – 1 double lesson a week
The work in Year 9 is based on a series of mini-projects which involve all of the skills learned so far plus new ones based on aspects of Computer Science.
Topics include:
- Coding - Introduction to Python
- Group Project on Advertising
- Coding an Interactive Quiz
- Paired Project Computer Control - Design a Log Flume
- Encryption
KS4
OCR Computer Science (9-1) J277
Component 1 and Component 2 are taught across Years 10 and 11.
Component 1: J277/01: Computer Systems (Externally assessed)
Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes, 50% of the qualification, 80 marks
This component will assess:
- 1.1 Systems architecture
- 1.2 Memory and storage
- 1.3 Computer networks, connections and protocols
- 1.4 Network security
- 1.5 Systems software
- 1.6 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology
Component 2: J277/02: Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming (Externally assessed)
Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes, 50% of the qualification, 80 marks
This component will assess:
- 2.1 Algorithms
- 2.2 Programming fundamentals
- 2.3 Producing robust programs
- 2.4 Boolean logic
- 2.5 Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments
Practical Programming
All students will be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s), either to a specification or to solve a problem (or problems), during their course of study. Students may draw on some of the content in both components when engaged in Practical Programming. The programming task(s) will allow them to develop skills within the following areas when programming:
- Designing
- Writing
- Testing
- Refining
For more information: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j277-from-2020/
KS5
OCR Computer Science (H446)
Component 1: Computer Systems
Written examination: 2 hours and 30 minutes, 40% of the qualification
- The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
- Software and software development
- Exchanging data
- Data types, data structures and algorithms
- Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
Component 2: Algorithms and Programming
Written examination: 2 hours and 30 minutes, 40% of the qualification
- Elements of computational thinking
- Problem solving and programming
- Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms
Component 3: Programming Project
Non-examined assessment: 20% of the qualification
- Students will be expected to analyse a problem, design, develop, test, and evaluate and document
- The program must solve the problem and be written in a suitable programming language
For more information: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/computer-science-h046-h446-from-2015/
Department Staff
Mrs Sharon Stimson (STS): Head of Computing Department
Mr Hayden Brader (HAB): Teacher of Computing and Academic Head of Year 8
