A Level Computer Science 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. Our A Level will develop the student’s technical understanding and their ability to analyse and solve problems using computational thinking. What will you study? During the A Level you will study 3 components covering different topics, with an examination in components 1 and 2 at the end of year 13. It will be expected that most project work and other units are completed outside of lesson. Component 01: Computer systems (40%) Students are introduced to the internal workings of the (CPU), data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. The resulting knowledge and understanding will underpin their work in component 03. 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: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (40%) 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 andcompu programs can be used to solve problems ·algorithms and how they can be used to describe and solve problems. Component 03: Programming project (20%) 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. We support a wide and diverse range of languages. University degrees that require or often prefer Computer Science include: Students who have studied computer science at A Level have gone onto complete apprenticeships at well-known companies. It is a strong subject to include for any student wishing to study mathematics, computer science or physics at university. Possible careers: Former students of Computer Science are now working in the games industry, in research and in the city as quantitative analysts. Opportunities after university for computer scientists and computer programmers are as great as is the penetration of computing technology into modern 21st century society.
Minimum grade 6 in Computer Science/Computing. We would also expect a grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics and any other science related subject.
About Education Provider
| Region | West Midlands |
| Local Authority | Solihull |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1SN |
A Level Computer Science 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. Our A Level will develop the student’s technical understanding and their ability to analyse and solve problems using computational thinking. What will you study? During the A Level you will study 3 components covering different topics, with an examination in components 1 and 2 at the end of year 13. It will be expected that most project work and other units are completed outside of lesson. Component 01: Computer systems (40%) Students are introduced to the internal workings of the (CPU), data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. The resulting knowledge and understanding will underpin their work in component 03. 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: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (40%) 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 andcompu programs can be used to solve problems ·algorithms and how they can be used to describe and solve problems. Component 03: Programming project (20%) 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. We support a wide and diverse range of languages. University degrees that require or often prefer Computer Science include: Students who have studied computer science at A Level have gone onto complete apprenticeships at well-known companies. It is a strong subject to include for any student wishing to study mathematics, computer science or physics at university. Possible careers: Former students of Computer Science are now working in the games industry, in research and in the city as quantitative analysts. Opportunities after university for computer scientists and computer programmers are as great as is the penetration of computing technology into modern 21st century society.
Minimum grade 6 in Computer Science/Computing. We would also expect a grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics and any other science related subject.