1. *current controlled assessment plans are unknown
Computer Science
More “academic” than ICT
80% Exam content at the end of year 11
20% Controlled Assessment (NEA) at start of year 11*
We will be supporting & teaching Python
Students can take both Computer Science and ICT
A high level in maths is desirable, but not essential.
*current controlled assessment plans are unknown

2. Computer Science – what’s changed?
Greater weighting on exam unit
Two exam papers instead of one
Controlled assessments are more “open” (less guidance) – potentially harder
Increased focus on Cyber Security
January 2018: Post-consultation review document scrapping NEA for 2017/18 and 2018/19 cohort. It is currently unknown whether year 8 students will have to complete a 20% weighted project or not.

3. Exam content - 80% Paper 1 - Computer systems
Paper 2 - Computational thinking, algorithms and programming
Computer systems
Systems Architecture
Memory
Storage
Wired and wireless networks
Network topologies, protocols and layers
System security
System software
Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns
Computational thinking, algorithms and programming
Algorithms*
Programming techniques
Producing robust programs Computational logic
Translators and facilities of languages
Data representation
80 marks
1 hour and 30 minutes
40%
40%

4. Controlled Assessment – 20%
Programming Project
Programming techniques
Analysis
Design
Development
Testing and evaluation and conclusions
40 marks
Totalling 20 hours
Three controlled assessment tasks each year (choose one)
The assessment will be carried out at a computer under controlled conditions.
The controlled assessment may take place over multiple sessions up to a combined duration of 20 hours.
20%

5. Programming techniques
how to identify and use variables, operators, inputs, outputs and assignments
how to understand and use the three basic programming constructs used to control the flow of a program: Sequence; Selection; Iteration
how to understand and use suitable loops including count and condition controlled loops
how to use different types of data, including Boolean, string, integer and real, appropriately in solutions to problems
how to understand and use basic string manipulation
how to understand and use basic file handling operations:
open
read
write
close
how to define and use arrays (or equivalent) as appropriate when solving problems
how to understand and use functions/sub programs to create structured code.

6. Progression