COMPUTING

Our aim is to make sure that all students gain the knowledge they need to become safe and effective IT users in their future learning and employment. We also aim to provide all students with a basic grounding in computer science, so that they have the option to pursue this as a choice in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. Our hope is that The Lakes School will continue to contribute to the pool of Computer Science graduates. This will benefit individuals through enhanced career prospects and also help to meet the skills need of the UK.

Python is a well respected and commonly used industry standard programming language and we have provided links below to help students download Python or make use of Python in a browser.

Computing Curriculum Year 7 to Year 9 - KS3
Computing Curriculum Year 10 to Year 11 - KS4

Level 2 Information Technology (Imedia)

Current Curriculum

Computing Curriculum Year 12 to Year 13 - KS5

In response to the nation’s increasing demands for programmers, Year 12 students are offered the opportunity to study Computer Science. Widely considered as the fourth science, Computer Science will develop skills in programming, problem-solving, and analytical thinking. This qualification provides students with a range of transferable skills in areas such as maths, science design and technology.

The A Level Computer Science qualification helps students understand the core academic principles of computer science. Classroom learning is transferred into creating real-world systems through the creation of an independent programming project. Our A Level will develop the student’s technical understanding and their ability to analyse and solve problems using computational thinking.

KS5 Curriculum Map

What skills will I develop?

  • Programming Skills

Throughout the course you will be expected to use your programming knowledge to create a variety of different programs. In our school, we aim to teach you a variety of different programming languages such as Python, C# and PHP.

  • Analytical skills

Computer Science involves identifying a problem and coming up with a technological solution to address it.

  • Problem-solving skills

The ability to solve complex problems in a systematic and logical way is vital. You will use this with the projects you’ll be working on, to take a concept and turn it into a reality.

  • Creativity

This goes hand in hand with problem-solving, since coming up with solutions to problems is almost never a straightforward process. Out-of-the-box thinking is often required.

  • Critical thinking skills

In Computer Science you’re going to be working on a variety of projects and using a variety of methodologies, so it is important to know which methodologies to use (and when to use them).

  • Resilience

Understanding that you’re most likely going to struggle before you succeed. This has nothing to do with your programming abilities and everything to do with the process itself. Programming involves a constant cycle of testing and improvement.

How will I be assessed?

A Level Paper 1 on-screen exam: 40% of the marks

Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an electronic answer document. This paper is in Python. This paper tests a student’s programming ability, and theoretical knowledge of data structures, systematic problem solving, and the theory of computation.

A Level Paper 2 written exam: 40% of the marks

This paper tests the fundamentals of data representation, computer systems (hardware and software), computer architecture and organisation, communications and networking, the consequences of using computing, databases and big data, and functional programming.

Non exam assessment: 20% of the marks

This coursework unit assesses students’ ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem.

Where might it lead?

Computer Science can help you towards any job, but a

main focus of Computer Science can lead to:

  • Applications developer
  • Cyber security analyst
  • Database administrator
  • Games developer
  • Web developer
  • And many more…

Online Python

Python

Python Replit

Python Download