Computer Studies / Computing
Gordon's School - Surrey
01276858084
Bagshot Road, West End, Woking, GU24 9PT
Course summary

Unit 1: This unit focuses on programming using standard programming concepts such as definite and indefinite iteration with conditions, use of arithmetic, relational and Boolean operations. Students will also program using an object-oriented method. Students will also develop their knowledge of the theoretical side of computer science ranging from fundamentals of programming to the theory of computation (abstraction, decomposition, composition and automation). This unit will also include the fundamentals of algorithms and the skills learnt whilst studying the systematic approach to problem solving. Unit 2: This unit focuses on fundamentals of data representation such as natural, rational, irrational, real and ordinal numbers plus different number systems used by computers to represent data. Networking and the Internet. Fundamentals of computer systems includes hardware, software and programming languages as well as computer organization and architecture and consequences of functional programming. This unit also includes fundamentals of databases, big data and the fundamentals of functional programming. Unit 3: Non-Exam Assessment – The computing practical project The non-exam assessment assesses a student’s ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. Students will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem solving. When creating the project, a student will analyse, design, create and test a program to solve a problem, this could be a website with dynamic content and a database back-end, a mobile app, an application for artificial intelligence, a computer game or something completely different.

Entry requirements

• A minimum of five GCSE grades 9 to 5, with at least grade 5 in English and Mathematics. • Strongly recommended to be taken with Mathematics. • GCSE grade 6 in Computer Science if studied. If not studied, grade 5 in English, and a GCSE grade 6 in Mathematics is required.

How you'll be assessed

Paper 1 40%: This is an on-screen exam on unit 1. Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an electronic answer document provided by the exam board. 2 sections of the exam will be based on a pre-released skeleton program. 2 Hours 30 Minutes. Paper 2 40%: This paper tests a student’s ability to answer questions from unit 2. The paper consists of compulsory short-answer and extended-answer questions. 2 Hours 30 Minutes. Unit 3 Non-Exam Assessment 20% The non-exam assessment tests a student’s ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. Students will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem solving.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionSouth East
Local AuthoritySurrey
Ofsted RatingOutstanding
Gender TypeCo-Educational
AddressBagshot Road, West End, Woking, GU24 9PT