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Computer Science

Computer Science is a fast developing subject at Fort Pitt. All students follow a Computer Science curriculum in years 7 and 8 and this then gives them the opportunity to opt for GCSE Computer Science. In the Sixth Form students can opt to do A-Level Computer Science. Both Computer Science teachers are specialists with programming backgrounds. The department is on a journey to develop the interest in the subject across the school by raising its profile as a subject for girls at GCSE and A-Level and for boys in the Sixth Form.

Enrichment

The Department offers a number of enrichment activities to enhance pupils’ achievement and enjoyment of the subject.

  • Computer Gaming Club
  • Minecraft Club – coming soon

Teachers also offer classes to support at lunchtimes and after school to help pupils with different assessments or general subject advice.

Trips and Events

The department organises a number of trips throughout the year offering students the opportunity to understand how Computer Science is used and impacts upon the real world. Annual trips include Disneyland Paris for A Level students, National Museum of Computing for Year 7,  Science Museum for Year 8, Mercedes Benz World including an under 17 driving experience for Year 9, The National Space Centre and Thorpe Park for year 10.  We also run a rewards meal for Year 11 students whose final ‘working at’ grades in term 5 either meet or exceed their target grades.

Subject Leader: Mr R Pitman (rpitman@fortpitt.medway.sch.uk)

Curriculum Content

Key Stage 3

The programme of study undertaken by Years 7 and 8 students is based on the six areas of the CAS Computing Progression Pathways document.  Projects have been designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in aspects of Computer Science and Information Communications Technology that CAS considers essential for learners in the Third Millennium.

The five broad areas of ICT knowledge and understanding studied are:

  • Digital Literacy Skills
  • Technology in the World
  • Technical Understanding
  • Safety, Security and the Law

Year 7

  • Esafety
  • Understanding Computers
  • Flowol Control
  • Kodu Programming
  • Spreadsheet Modelling
  • AppShed
  • Microbits

Year 8

  • Introduction to Python
  • Python Next Steps
  • Cyber Security and Computer Crime
  • HTML and Website
  • Databases
  • Video creation

Key Stage 4

Exam Board: OCR

For GCSE Computer Science, we follow the OCR exam board specification.  This is the preferred exam board for Computer Science nationally across most other schools.  The emphasis has always been on the programming elements of Computer Science, however 80% of the final mark is based on students sitting two 1½ hour written examinations.  The other 20% is assessed through Controlled Assessment which is completed in Year 11.

Year 9

  • Python programming techniques 1
  • Computing Architecture
  • Python programming techniques 2
  • Memory
  • Storage
  • Python programming techniques 3
  • Wired and Wireless

Year 10

  • Network Topologies, Protocols and Layers
  • System Security
  • Systems Software
  • Ethical issues
  • Algorithms
  • Programming Techniques (theory)
  • Producing Robust Programs
  • Computational Logic

Year 11

  • Translators and Facilities of Languages
  • Data Representation
  • Controlled Assessment
  • Revision

Key Stage 5

Exam Board: OCR

For A-Level Computer Science, we follow the OCR exam board specification.  This is the preferred exam board for Computer Science nationally across most other schools.  Similar to the GCSE, the emphasis has always been on the programming elements of Computer Science however, 80% of the final mark is based on students sitting two 2½ hour written examinations.  The other 20% is assessed through a Programming Project which is completed in Year 13.

Year 12

  • Python programming techniques 1
  • The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices (Components of a computer and their uses)
  • Python programming techniques 2
  • Software and software development (Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software)Storage
  • Python programming techniques 3
  • Exchanging data (How data is exchanged between different systems)
  • Data types, data structures and algorithms (How data is represented and stored within different structures. Different algorithms that can be applied to these structures)
  • Py Game
  • Object Oriented Python Programming
  • Legal, moral, ethical and cultural issues (The individual moral, social, ethical and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology; legislation surrounding the use of computers and ethical issues that can or may in the future arise from the use of computers)
  • Elements of computational thinking (Understanding what is meant by computational thinking)
  • Problem solving and programming (How computers can be used to solve problems and programs can be written to solve them)
  • Algorithms (The use of algorithms to describe problems and standard algorithms)

Year 13

  • Programming Project
  • Reviewing Key topics from Year 12
  • Analysis of the problem
  • Design of the solution
  • Reviewing Key topics from Year 12
  • Developing the solution
  • Evaluation of problem
  • Revision