Computer Studies / Computing
St Margaret's Church of England Academy - Liverpool
01514271825
Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 6AB
Course summary

Computers are widely used in all aspects of business, industry, government, education, leisure, and the home. In this increasingly technological age, a study of computer science, and particularly how computers are used in the solution of a variety of problems, is not only valuable to the learners themselves but also essential to the future well-being of the country. Computer science integrates well with subjects across the curriculum. It demands both logical discipline and imaginative creativity in the selection and design of algorithms and the writing, testing, and debugging of programs; it relies on an understanding of the rules of language at a fundamental level; it encourages an awareness of the management and organization of computer systems; it extends the learners’ horizons beyond the school or college environment in the appreciation of the effects of computer science on society and individuals. For these reasons, computer science is as relevant to a learner studying arts subjects as it is to one studying science subjects. To develop: - An understanding of, and the ability to apply, the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation - The ability to analyze problems in computational terms through practical experience in solving such problems, including writing programs to do so - The capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically, and critically - The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science.

Entry requirements

EITHER Grade 6 in GCSE Computer Science OR BOTH Grade 5 in GCSE Maths AND two Grade 6s in any GCSE Sciences (eg Grade 6-6 in GCSE Science (AQA Trilogy/Edexcel Combined/ OCR Gateway))

How you'll be assessed

The content of the A Level in Computer Science is divided into three components: Paper 1: (40%) Computer systems component (01) contains the majority of the content of the specification and is assessed in a written paper recalling knowledge and understanding. - 40 marks 2 hours and 30 minutes written paper (no calculators allowed) 40% of total A level Paper 2: (40%) Algorithms and programming component (02) relates principally to problem-solving skills needed by learners to apply the knowledge and understanding encountered in Component 01. - 140 marks 2 hours and 30 minutes written paper (no calculators allowed) 40% of total NEA (20%) A level Programming project Programming project component (03 or 04) is a practical portfolio-based assessment with a task that is chosen by the teacher or learner and is produced in an appropriate programming language of the learner’s or teacher’s choice. - 70 marks non-exam assessment (NEA) 20% of total A level

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionNorth West
Local AuthorityLiverpool
Ofsted RatingRequires improvement
Gender TypeBoys
AddressAigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 6AB