We follow the OCR syllabus which means you will sit two papers and submit a Non-Examination Assessment project. Paper 1: Computer Systems The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices. Types of soft ware and the different methodologies used to develop soft ware. Data exchange between different systems. Data types, data structures and algorithms. Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues. Paper 2: Algorithms and Programming What is meant by computational thinking. Problem solving and programming – how computers and programs can be used to solve problems. Algorithms and how they can be used to describe and solve problems. The paper also contains a case study, where candidates are required to apply their knowledge of the above to a given problem. Non-Examination Assessment: Programming Project In Lower Sixth you build your coding skills in Python. In the Upper Sixth, you are free to decide on your own project. Previous examples include: a) 2D Escape games that generate different maps and levels of complexity b) Artificial Intelligence and machine learning projects to play games, mark text or recognise images. c) “Intelligent” programs that crack polyalphabetic ciphers d)Software to generate statistical and graphical information from a data set The new Non-Examination Assessment has a development focus, meaning you spend more time making and less time writing up. The course consolidates and builds significantly on the theory work studied at GCSE but it is the programming element where the A Level is of most benefit. The focus is much more on a holistic approach to programming, rather than working on simple fragments of code. We look at different techniques to improve the efficiency of soft ware, designing and creating Graphical User Interfaces and ensuring the reliability of the finished product.