GCSE
GCSE Computer Science– J277
At KS4 students opt to take computer science at GCSE. They will follow the OCR (9-1) J277 specification (download here). Below is a breakdown of the overall assessment for the GCSE course.
Assessment Overview
|
Component |
Marks |
Duration |
Weighting |
|
Computer System(01) |
80 |
90 Mins |
50% |
|
Computational thinking, algorithms and Programming (02) |
80 |
90 Mins |
50% |
* Algorithm questions are not exclusive to component 02 and can be assessed in all components.
Component 01: Computer systems: (50%)
Introduces students to the central processing unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, data representation, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, system security and system software. It also looks at ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns associated with computer science
Unit 1: Systems Architecture
The unit is subdivided into three topics and an end-of-unit assessment. The unit covers Section 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 of the OCR J277 specification for GCSE Computer Science. Primary storage and secondary storage are both covered.
Unit 2: Data Representation
The unit is subdivided into six topics and an end-of-unit assessment. The unit covers Section 1.2.3 and 1.2.4 of the OCR J277 specification for GCSE Computer Science. Units and data storage are both covered.
Unit 3: Networks
The unit is subdivided into six topics and an end-of-unit assessment. The unit covers Section 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 of the OCR J277 specification for GCSE Computer Science. Networks and topologies, wired and wireless networks, protocols, layers are all covered
Unit 4: Network Security & Systems Software
The unit is subdivided into four topics and an end-of-unit assessment. The unit covers Section 1.4 and 1.5 of the OCR J277 specification for GCSE Computer Science. Threats to computer systems and networks, identifying and preventing vulnerabilities, operating systems and utility software are all covered.
Unit 5: Impacts of Digital Technology
The unit is subdivided into three topics and an end-of-unit assessment. The unit covers Section 1.5 of the OCR J277 specification for GCSE Computer Science. Different computer technologies and applications and the ethical, environmental and legal considerations surrounding them are described.
Component 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming: (50%)
Students apply knowledge and understanding gained in component 01. They develop skills and understanding in computational thinking: algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic and translators.
Unit 6: Algorithms
The unit covers Section 2.1 of the OCR J277 specification for GCSE Computer Science. Computational thinking, pseudocode, flowcharts, trace tables, searching algorithms and sorting algorithms are all covered in this unit.
Unit 7: Programming
The unit covers Section 2.2 of the OCR J277 specification for GCSE Computer Science. Programming fundamentals, data types and additional programming techniques are all covered in this unit.
Unit 8: Logic & Languages
The unit covers Section 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 of the OCR J277 specification for GCSE Computer Science. Producing robust programs, Boolean logic and Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments are all covered in this unit.
Practical Programming:
Students are to be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s) during their course of study which allows them to develop their skills to design, write, and test and refine programs using a high-level programming language. Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations, in particular component 02 (section B)
Review Week - Making Learning Memorable
As part of marking learning memorable, student will spend review week undertaking a project based on Cycle 1, 2 and 3 during review week 1, and then cycle 4, 5 & 6 as part of review week 2
Resources
Students are given access to MSTeams where they can view resources used in lesson and also ask questions about particular topics should they need to do so out of learning hours.
They should speak to their computer science teacher for their login details & classroom code.
KS4: Recommended text book:
OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer Science (J277), PG Online, PM Heathcote, 2020
Other useful Links:
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/ - Promoting the safe and responsible use of technology for young people
https://www.python.org/downloads/ - Python version 3.5 (free)
Youtube – GCSE Computer Science Revision Videos for Full Specification
http://www.101computing.net - Programming Challenges
