Our Computing curriculum equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
The core of computing is computer science, in which our pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, our pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.
We want to ensure that pupils become digitally literate – able to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
For detailed curriculum information, click the downloads.
If you would like to view related Key Stage 5 courses, please click the links below:
Our detailed curriculum can be viewed on the downloads on this page.
It is vital that all pupils are equipped with a strong set of digital skills before they move on to the next stage of their learning. Therefore all pupils in Year 10 and 11, including those already studying iMedia and GCSE computer science, will complete core computing.
You will learn the basic digital skills. This will include being confident using office applications (Word), and online collaborative tools (sharepoint, Teams and OneNote). In addition you will continue to learn about how to stay safe online. We will also examine how algorithmic thinking approaches can be used as study techniques.
As part of the core computing curriculum pupils will also complete the inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA) award. The iDEA award will help you to develop your digital, enterprise and employability skills. More information about the award can be found here: https://idea.org.uk/.
The core curriculum will be delivered through your core KS4 subjects (MFL, English, Science, Maths and PE). You will complete the Bronze award for iDEA during the curriculum extension days and for homework throughout year 10 and autumn term in year 11. The assessments can be completed independently, and you will be guided through their learning. The qualification takes 20-25 hours in total over 12 months. Topics that will be covered include:
You will be set homework through the core subjects approximately once every half term in order to give you sufficient opportunity to complete the iDEA award.
You will complete the online assessments to achieve iDEA badges with the aim of achieving the Bronze award.
The iDEA award is a widely recognised qualification and is something that will help you in future employment or study
There are no requirements for this course.
Please speak with your computer science teacher or head of computing Dr Grey wgrey@combertonvc.org. In addition you can look at the iDEA website www.idea.org.uk
This is a full GCSE which is graded from 9 to 1. On this course pupils will study how computers work, how to write programs and how data are represented and handled by applications. Pupils will have to design and write programs in the Python programming language.
Pupils will develop analytical and problem-solving skills and gain experience of meeting particular end-user requirements. The content is highly mathematical and requires a high level of logical reasoning.
The course is AQA GCSE Computer Science (8520).
There will be six lessons per fortnight. During the first two terms the main focus will be problem-solving techniques and learning the Python programming language. Pupils will complete a range of tasks to consolidate knowledge. Lessons will be a mix of practical (programming) and theory lessons. There will be regular exam-style practice assessments. The complete list of topics that pupils will learn are:
Homework will be of a variety of types:
The assessment for this GCSE has recently changed and is to be based entirely on two exam papers. This will cover programming and the different topics studied on the course. The exams will consist of short-answer and long-answer questions. The quality of written communication is also assessed.
This course is an excellent basis for an A Level in computer science. This can open the door to a huge number of degrees and apprenticeships. Examples of these are cyber security and big data analytics which are massive areas of growth.
To succeed in this course, pupils should be very interested in how computers work. An interest in how to solve logic and maths puzzles are also desirable. Pupils will need to be able to research topics effectively and to develop programming skills such that their products are suitable for the stated end user. They will also have to meet strict deadlines.
Class resources, tutorials and useful links for this course will be made available electronically and can be accessed from school or home.
Comberton Village College
West Street, Comberton
Cambridge CB23 7DU
Tel: 01223 262503
Email: thecollege@combertonvc.org
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Comberton Village College is part of The Cam Academy Trust, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number 0749 1945.
The registered office is at Comberton Village College, West Street, Comberton, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7DU
