Computing

KS3 Overview

At Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, we have been offering specialist courses in Computer Science for over 20 years. The aim of the department is to provide students with the opportunity to embrace technology and to inspire them in this subject.  Our students enjoy the challenge of problem-solving and this subject provides the right forum for them to discover the realms of technology. The department has been recognised as a Lead School in paving the way of how Computer Science should be delivered.

Expected Equipment

• You will be expected to have your homework / assessment booklet with you in every lesson. This will be expected to be handed in before the lesson, to give your teacher time to mark it and return it at the start of the lesson.
• You will also be expected to have a pencil case containing the expected stationary (i.e. Black pen for writing, pencil for drawings and a red and purple pen for assessments).

Resources for learning

All of the KS3 lesson resources can be found on the CSGS cloud. Any questions regarding specific lessons can be queried through contacting the class teacher via the e-mail system or via Microsoft Teams.

Curriculum Information

At Chislehurst and Sidcup, we have been offering courses in Computer Science for over 20 years. The aim of the department is to provide students with the opportunity to embrace technology and to inspire them, in this subject.  Our students enjoy the challenge of problem solving and this subject provides the right forum for them to discover the realms of technology. The department has been recognised as a Lead School in paving the way of how Computer Science should be delivered.

Staff and Resources:

The department has 3 members of staff coming from a wide variety of specialisms within technology, from data mining to programming. 

The department provides 4 classrooms fully equipped with networked PCs and a range of industry standard software.  This enables students to be more interactive with the subject, as well as being able to encourage group work and individual tasks to expand their skills.  Each student is provided with an email account, as well as having access to the school's network from home.

Due to the nature of the subject, the department constantly evaluates and improves our Key Stage 3 curriculum each year. Our current Key Stage 3 curriculum for Computing is set out below, with the aims of challenging our students’ abilities and empowering them with the confidence and skills required to move forward into an ever-expanding world of technology. 

Year 7: 

During a weekly 1 hour lesson, they are able to learn an excellent balance of Digital Literacy and Computing skills, necessary to build confidence and form a solid foundation for further development in the years to follow in Key Stage 3.

• E-Safety Project incorporating cyberbullying, online safety and computer protection.
• Understanding computer operating systems, incorporating graphic design
• .Exploring the history of computing, from Charles Babbage to the introduction of the Processor
• An introduction to Computer Programming constructs.
• An Introduction to Databases, using logical operators to search
• An exploration into computational ethical, social and moral issues.

Year 8:

Students continue to build on their computing and digital literacy skills with the units of work taught below. Concepts and skills are designed to stretch all abilities during a 1 hour lesson a week, where their knowledge and skills are reinforced and developed further with the projects taught below.

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence – including ethics, bias and thinking machines
• Design and develop a website, using HTML and CSS code only
• Finding out what algorithms are and how to read and write them
• Exploring Cryptography and producing their own codebreaking mathematical models
• Computer Systems Architecture, in order to gain the knowledge for data representation and the parts that make up a computer. Students will build their own computer in this module, as well as learn how to convert binary into denary and the use of logic gate theory.
• Introduction to Computer Aided Design, using CAD software

Year 9:

Computer Science is a specialist subject at CSGS, so Year 9 is used to prepare the students for when they choose their options, on whether to choose GCSE Computer Science, which is offered as a full course GCSE option.

• An Introduction to Boolean and Binary Logic and how this is used in processor architecture.
• Programming using the Python programming language, to enhance concepts such as sequencing, selection and iteration, covered in Year 7 and 8.
• Networking and the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web; looking at light/electricity, packet switching and layering.
• Problem solving skills – how the use of abstraction, decomposition and pattern recognition helps to build more efficient programs.
• Creating Android apps for Google Play, using the JavaScript on the App Lab area at code.org, which helps to develop students’ design and programming skills further.

Extracurricular enrichment

Throughout the school year students are offered various opportunities.

Year 8 Computing Activity Day – students introduced to the Java programming language and wrote their own “Healthy School Canteen” game by the end of the day

STEM Lectures: Students have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders in Computer Science specific areas, about their careers in the technology industry.

TED Talks: TED talks are put on for students after school, to explore real world Computer Science problems.

After School Activities

All the computer suites are available to students after school.

Computing Club

Friday After School: Aimed at Key Stage 3 students, the club explores different areas of computing, from coding to building computers using BBC Microbit and Robotics Kits.

KS4 Overview

At Chislehurst and Sidcup, we have been offering specialist courses in Computer Science for over 20 years. The aim of the department is to provide students with the opportunity to embrace technology and to inspire them in this subject. Our students enjoy the challenge of problem-solving and this subject provides the right forum for them to discover the realms of technology. The department has been recognised as a Lead School in paving the way of how Computer Science should be delivered.

Expected Equipment

• You will be expected to have your homework / assessment booklet with you in all lessons (please see KS3 note about handing in homework before the lesson).

Resources for learning

All of the KS4 lesson resources and revision materials can be found on the CSGS Cloud. If further revision support is required, then we would recommend the following resources:

• OCR GCSE Computer Science (for the exams 2022 onwards) - Revision Guide - Amazon Price (Approx £11)     
• OCR GCSE Computer Science (for the exams 2022 onwards) – Flash Cards – Amazon Price (Approx £9)  

Curriculum Information

At Chislehurst and Sidcup, we have been offering courses in Computer Science for over 20 years. The aim of the department is to provide students with the opportunity to embrace technology and to inspire them, in this subject.  Our students enjoy the challenge of problem solving and this subject provides the right forum for them to discover the realms of technology. The department has been recognised as a Lead School in paving the way of how Computer Science should be delivered.

Why Choose Computer Science?

There are various reasons to study Computer Science, but the main reason is that it is guaranteed to equip students with valuable skills and knowledge for a solid foundation, for any career they wish to pursue in the future. These skills can also be developed further at higher education and for a future career in the industry to work with variety of technologies, such as web design and games development. The Key Stage 3 curriculum prepares students for the demands of the GCSE syllabus, where the Computer Science course is offered at GCSE.

Edexcel GCSE Computer Science

Students will have experienced some theoretical knowledge of computer systems and basic programming through their Computer Science lessons in Year 9. This course is challenging yet it offers a fun and interesting way to develop skills, which can be transferred to other subjects and applied in day-to-day life.
Students are helped to improve analysis and problem-solving skills through the study of computer programming and computational thinking in the form of abstraction and decomposition.

The course provides excellent preparation for study in higher education and employment in the field of Computer Science that rely on these skills, especially where they are applied to technical problems. Careers include engineering, financial, science and medicine.

Extracurricular enrichment

Throughout the school year students are offered various opportunities.

STEM Lectures: Students have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders in Computer Science specific areas, about their careers in the technology industry.

TED Talks: Regular TED talks are put on for students after school, to explore real world Computer Science problems.

After School Activities

There are computer suites available to GCSE students after school.

Programme of Study

Year 10Year 11

KS5 Overview

At Chislehurst and Sidcup, we have been offering specialist courses in Computer Science for over 20 years. The aim of the department is to provide students with the opportunity to embrace technology and to inspire them, in this subject.  Our students enjoy the challenge of problem solving and this subject provides the right forum for them to discover the realms of technology. The department has been recognised as a Lead School in paving the way of how Computer Science should be delivered.

Expected Equipment

You will be expected to have your homework / assessment booklet. This will be collected in once a week for marking. You will also be expected to have a notes folder that will be updated lesson-by-lesson with your notes. Folder checks will be completed on these at regular intervals.

Resources for learning

All of the KS5 lesson and revision materials can be found on the CSGS cloud. If further help and support is required, then we would recommend the following materials:

• OCR AS and A Level Computer Science Paperback – 12 Sep 2016
• Craig and Dave Student resources: http://student.craigndave.org/

Curriculum Information

Key Stage 5 – A Level Computer Science

Benefits of Studying the Linear Computer Science A Level – OCR

If students want to go on to higher study and employment in the field of Computer Science, they will find that this course provides a superb stepping stone. Students who study Computer Science, can go on to a career in Medicine, Law, Business, Politics or any type of Science.

• Gives learners a real, in-depth understanding of how computer technology works
• Provides excellent preparation for higher study and employment in the field of Computer Science.
• Develops critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills through the study of computer programming

Extracurricular enrichment

Throughout the school year students are offered various opportunities.

STEM Lectures: Students have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders in Computer Science specific areas, about their careers in the technology industry.

TED Talks: TED talks are put on for students after school, to explore real world Computer Science problems.

After School Activities

All the computer suites are available to students after school.

Programme of StudyYear 12Year 13

The thing I love most about computer science is programming – being able to create programs that can do anything from solve simple math problems to create entire environments and games is always fascinating. I would say that the practical side is the most fun, but I can’t underestimate the theory and the teaching quality provided by our teachers. Partly why I love computer science is because the teachers make it engaging to learn.

The theory can range from the processor to the operating system to the ethics of throwing away computers. Some parts will be easy, especially if you already have a background with computers – for instance if you build computers you would already know the components – but even if you don’t I wouldn’t be discouraged as the step from GCSE to A Level isn’t as large as you think. You also have your programming project which takes you on a journey to making your first complex program with all sorts of interesting algorithms you can explore.

The beautiful thing about computer science is that it isn’t just confined to lessons or Computer Science Club. There are plenty of things you can look up and explore related to computer science. One thing in particular you may have already taken part in is Cyberstart’s Cyberdiscovery challenge which is all about tackling cybersecurity problems (I promise it’s a lot more interesting than I’m making it sound!). But for those who prefer the more mathematical aspect of computer science, you have Project Euler, a great website that lets you tackle all sorts of problems that can only be solved with programming and computing skills.