Computing is highly creative subject which allows students to understand technology so that they can use it to solve problems. The subject is of enormous importance to the economy, and the role of Computer Science as a discipline itself and as an ‘underpinning’ subject across science and engineering is growing rapidly.
GCSE Computer Science offers a thorough introduction to the world of theoretical and applied computing. Students will learn about the theoretical computing fundamentals that include knowing the hardware components of the computer systems around us, as well as the software that makes them usable.
This is a very much hands-on course. The students are expected to develop programs and explore new concepts on their own machines. The theoretical parts of the course intertwine with the application of these ideas.
Enthusiasm and willingness to problem-solve is at the core of success in Computer Science.
The school will start the new GCSE programme next year. The complete specification can be found here:
Paper 1: Computational thinking and programming skills
What’s assessed
Computational thinking, code tracing, problem-solving, programming concepts including the design of effective algorithms and the designing, writing, testing and refining of code.
How it’s assessed
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 90 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Paper 2: Computing concepts
What’s assessed
- 3.3 Fundamentals of data representation
- 3.4 Computer systems
- 3.5 Fundamentals of computer networks
- 3.6 Cyber security
- 3.7 Relational databases and structured query language (SQL)
- 3.8 Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy
How it’s assessed
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 90 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Contact for further information
Mrs MC Patterson: mcp@wellingtoncollege.org.uk