Computer Science
The Computer Science department at Carre's Grammar School is situated in a specialist ICT Suite which is fully air-conditioned and equipped with 32 desktop computers, a laser printer and a multimedia projector.
Staff within the department have a passion for the subject and a keen interest in keeping up to date with new technologies and advancements.
Staff
- Mr J Brown (Head of Computer Science)
- Mr G Ahmed
Vision
The department aims to put forward a curriculum to help build resilience and analytical skills to best prepare them for the jobs of the future. As technology advances, so does our way of working and the career opportunities available, it is probable that most of our students will be working in job roles that did not exist before they were born.
As the digital transformation continues, cyber-security, artificial intelligence and big data will become larger social issues and we feel that it is important that our students have an understanding of these topics and an awareness of how it will affect their future, regardless of their career path.
Resources
The department is well resourced with a specialist computing suite; extra-curricular opportunities are offered to use new technologies such as BBC micro:bits and robots as well as practical activities such as building a computer. A student run coding club meets regularly and covers a wide range of topics that will help those with a keen interest in the subject to learn new skills and interact with the subject beyond the curriculum.
Schemes of Work
Key Stage 3
Throughout Key Stage 3, a blend of computer science and IT is taught to the students to provide them with the key skills for using computers to meet the needs of the workplace and to provide them with a strong understanding of the key concepts that govern how computers work and how to program them.
As technology advances, we feel that it is important for our students to have a thorough understanding of new technologies and issues that are likely to be faced such as Cyber-security, AI and the social issues faced with new technologies.
The entire Key Stage 3 curriculum can be found on the Coding @ Carre's website here: https://codingatcarres.com/
Key Stage 4
GCSE Computer Science – Edexcel (1CP2)
This new, up-to-date qualification reflects the fast changing world of Computer Science. Students will develop the computational skills they need for an exciting digital future beyond the classroom with:
- an exciting, practical focus on real-life programming, developing skills relevant to the future
- innovative, onscreen practical programming assessments
Paper 1 - Principles of Computer Science (50% of the GCSE)
- Topic 1: Computational thinking – understanding of what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work; ability to follow, amend and write algorithms; ability to construct truth tables.
- Topic 2: Data – understanding of binary, data representation, data storage and compression.
- Topic 3: Computers – understanding of hardware and software components of computer systems and characteristics of programming languages.
- Topic 4: Networks – understanding of computer networks and network security.
- Topic 5: Issues and impact – awareness of emerging trends in computing technologies, and the impact of computing on individuals, society and the environment, including ethical, legal and ownership issues.
Paper 2 – Programming (50% of the GCSE)
Uniquely among GCSE exams this paper is on screen and emulates the real world coding experience.
The main focus of this paper is:
- understanding what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work in relation to creating programs
- understanding how to decompose and analyse problems
- ability to read, write, refine and evaluate programs.
Key Stage 5
A Level Computer Science is offered as part of the Sleaford Joint Sixth Form (SJSF); these lessons are taught across Carre’s Grammar and Kesteven and Sleaford High School and follow the OCR A-level specification (H446).
More information can be found here: https://sleafordjsf.org/choice