Computer Science/ iMedia

OUR VISION

The Vision is to provide a progressive, knowledge rich KS4 curriculum which flows across the years and is underpinned by the four Computational Thinking Skills (Algorithmic Thinking; Problem Solving; Abstraction and Decomposition). This will be achieved through a comprehensive 2 year curriculum model where we will be establishing key knowledge and skills that include effective practical and analytical approaches with Literacy and numeracy embedded throughout. The computational knowledge and skills developed by learners will provide them with a secure foundation to access computing at GCSE, post 16 and consequently STEM related career aspirations.

Mr C Patterson,
Head of Department


At Key stage 4 learners can choose to learn up to two of the following qualifications (one of which is an early entry starting in year 9):

  • GCSE OCR Computer Science
  • OCR Cambridge National level 2 Certificate in iMedia


Assessments

OCR J277/01 - full paper
OCR J277/01 - full paper
OCR J277/02 - full paper
OCR J277/02 - full paper


GCSE OCR Computer Science

The curriculum is arranged so all learners will complete the same assessments throughout the two-year course.

 

Year 1

 

Year 2

 

Half Term 1

 
  • 2.4.1 Boolean Logic
  • 1.2.4 Data storage – Numbers
  • 2.1.2 Designing, creating & refining algorithms

 
  • 1.2.5 Compression
  • 1.1.1 Architecture of the CPU
  • 1.1.2 CPU Performance
  • 1.1.3 Embedded systems
  • 1.2.1 Primary storage

Practical programming skills

Half Term 2

 
  • 2.2.1 Programming fundamentals
  • 2.2.2 Data Types
  • 2.1.1 Computational thinking

 

Practical programming skills
  • 1.2.1 Primary storage
  • 1.2.2 Secondary storage
  • 1.3.1 Networks and topologies
  • 1.3.2 Wired and wireless networks, protocols and layers

 

Practical programming skills

Half Term 3

 
  • 2.2.1 Programming fundamentals
  • 2.2.3 Additional programming techniques
  • 1.6.1 Ethical, Legal, cultural and environmental impact

 

Practical programming skills
  • 1.3.2 Wired and wireless protocols and layers
  • 1.4.1 Threats to computer systems and networks
  • 1.4.2 Identifying and preventing vulnerabilities
  • 1.5.1 Operating systems
  • Utility software

 

Practical programming skills

Half Term 4

 
  • 1.6.1 Ethical, Legal, Cultural and environmental impact
  • 2.3.1 Defensive Design
  • 2.3.2 Testing

 

Practical programming skills
  • 1.5.2 Utility software

 

Theory revision

Practical programming skills revision

Half Term 5

 
  • 2.3.2 Testing
  • 2.5.1 Languages
  • 2.5.2 The Integrated Development environment
  • 2.1.3 Searching and sorting algorithms

 

Practical programming skills

Theory revision

 

Practical programming skills revision

Half Term 6

 
  • 1.2.4 Data storage – characters, sound, images

 

Practical programming skills revision

 

Searching and sorting programming skills

 

 

Note: The delivery of this course may differ amongst schools due to staffing and timetabling. Each school will aim for students to be ready to sit the same assessments within the two year period.


OCR Cambridge National level 2 Certificate in iMedia

 

Year 1

 

Year 2

 

Half Term 1

R081

R082

Optional Unit 1

Half Term 2

R081

R082

Optional Unit 1

Half Term 3

R081

R082

Optional Unit 2

Half Term 4

R081

R082

Optional Unit 2

Half Term 5

R081

Optional unit 1

Optional Unit 2

Half Term 6

Optional unit 1

Study leave/Exams