Computer Science

Subject Mission Statement

To equip our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop their social, economic and technological awareness and to enrich their employability skills to help inform their choices of future pathways. We want to build awareness of cyber security to give mechanisms to help student’s combat current challenges around online behaviour.

Overview

Advances in Computing are transforming the way Computer Scientists work and this Computer Science specification reflects this. This popular qualification, built on strong foundations, delivers a flexible, accessible and rigorous qualification, backed by top quality support, resources and professional development. This course focuses on the knowledge, understanding and skills students need to progress to Higher Education or in the workplace. Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply academic principles learned to real-world systems. This intensely creative subject combines invention and excitement, looking at the natural world through a digital prism. Our Computer Science qualification values computational thinking, helping students to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence. The programming project will involve designing, creating, testing and evaluating an IT system for a real world client and students will use knowledge and skills gained throughout the course to achieve this.

KS5 Intent Statement

To provide a successful curriculum suited to our student intake profile,
balancing core learning with guided, differentiated pathways for sub-groups or
individuals which inspire and engage students whilst successfully preparing
them for progression at age 18 and future life as learners, employers and
citizens.

To give the students a real world understanding of the use of technology
in the wider world and to provide a theoretical level of knowledge in the
history and inner workings of key aspects of the computer. To cultivate
creative and dynamic problem solvers, both when

using technology and in general, by developing the key skills of computational

thinking.

To give students a deep understanding and engage learners to enhance
their awareness of current affairs and key Economic and Business topics to
enrich and develop their cultural capital and prepare them for a rapidly
changing external environment. To equip students with the analytical and
evaluative skills required to form judgments and opinions about why key
decisions are taken by the government and the impact on the world around us. We
want learners to demonstrate that they can identify and use effectively, in an
integrated way, an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts,
theories and knowledge to help them prepare for progression to employment,
apprentices and further education.

 

Qualification Details

Exam Board: AQA
Qualification Title: Computer Science
Qualification Specification Code: 7515
Qualification Webpage: Click here to visit the AQA webpage for the specification.

Entry Requirements

Standard Sixth Form entry requirements.

What will I study in this qualification?

Possible Career Paths

Computer Science related undergraduate degrees: Games Programming, Systems Analysis, Network Engineering, Cognitive Science and AI, Data Analysis, Robotics, Telecommunications, Software Engineering, and more. Computer Science related Level 3 apprenticeships: IT, Software, Telecoms, Informatics, Creative & Digital Media, and more. A Computer Science A-Level is a well-respected qualification to hold, giving opportunities to access relevant university courses as well as technical careers. The content covered in the Computer Science A Level coincides with content taught during the first year of most university Computer Science courses, meaning that students are more attractive enrolment prospects at better universities.

Who should I speak to if I need further information?

Miss Watkins, Mr Baker