Page 28 - Sixth Form prospectus 2020

COURSE
COMPUTER SCIENCE
TITLE

SPECIFIC ENTRY It is not essential to have studied computer science at Key Stage 4.
Students need a good grasp of mathematics: a grade 5 or above in
REQUIREMENTS
mathematics is required to join the course.
You must be prepared to read up on the topics we are covering and
undertake work outside of the classroom to help you fully understand
the implications of the content.
A wide range of current issues is covered, as well as topics designed to
give you the best foundations for further study. The course is organised
as follows:
● how programming allows us to solve problems
● how can we organise data?
CONTENT OF ● how have complex problems been solved? How can we use these
solutions?
COURSE
● computing theory, including the work of Alan Turing
● how are data including numbers, text, images and sound stored
and processed?
● how are computer systems organised and how do they work?
● what are the consequences of computer use?
● how do networks and the internet work?
● databases
● what is big data? How does it affect everyone?
● functional programming
EXAMINATIONS Students will take an onscreen exam and a written exam, each worth
AND ASSESSMENTS 40%; a student selected project makes up the remaining 20%.

The purpose of the course is to give students a greater understanding of
digital technology in preparation for further study or a computing based
apprenticeship; for those considering university it would be best taken
alongside maths and one of the sciences subjects.
The future of our economy is digital, with data transmitted all over the world,

SKILLS, LINKS and financial transactions carried out electronically. Cash and paper are
becoming less common. The threats to our economy and democracy from
AND foreign governments, agencies and individuals are real. The demand for cyber
security analysts, computer programmers and hardware engineers can only
PROGRESSION
grow. Computer science students have the perfect skills set to succeed in
these areas and others.
Energus offer cyber security apprenticeships through their Cyber Lab in
Lillyhall, GCHQ recruits computer scientists to their huge range of roles, and
universities hold this course in high regard. Take computer science and open
the door to your exciting future.
Head of IT: Mr F Simmons frasersimmons@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk
CONTACT
Mr D Ball deanball@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk