Intent Statement

The A Level Computer Science qualification helps students understand the core academic principles of computer science. Classroom learning is transferred into creating real-world systems through the creation of an independent programming project. The A Level will develop student’s technical understanding and their ability to analyse and solve problems using computational thinking.

Department Information

Computer Science is one of the most important subjects for today’s society; this can be evidenced through work skill requirements and the importance that has been placed on Computer Science.  To meet these challenges the department has created a variety of courses with the appropriate content to ensure students develop the necessary skills for their future employment.

Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems. It’s an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement, and can look at the natural world through a digital prism. 

The course is made up of two exams and a programming project.  

Component 01: Computer systems

Students are introduced to the internal workings of the (CPU), data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues.

It covers:

· The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices

· Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software

· Data exchange between different systems

· Data types, data structures and algorithms

· Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues.

Component 02: Algorithms and programming

This builds on component 01 to include computational thinking and problem-solving.

It covers:

· What is meant by computational thinking (thinking abstractly, thinking ahead, thinking procedurally etc.)

· 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.

Component 03: Programming project

· Students are expected to apply the principles of computational thinking to a practical coding programming project. They will analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language. The project is designed to be independently chosen by the student and provides them with the flexibility to investigate projects within the diverse field of computer science.

Learning Journey

A Level Computer Science