Computer Science & IT
As we live in a digital age, most industries rely on data and software programmes. Computer Science & IT has an impact on everything from scientific research to health, transport, banking, communications, you name it. Even objects such as microwave ovens, refrigerators or door locks are now connected to our Wi-Fi networks and personal assistants.
Technology has made communication faster and the world more connected. Yet it didn't happen by accident. We came here thanks to the creative minds of Computer Science and IT students who took their passion for technology and used it to create gadgets and computer programmes that support us every single day.
KS3
Year 7
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
Using Computers Safely
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Programming using Scratch
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Graphics
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Year 8
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
Computer Systems
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Website Development
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Python next steps the basics
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How will they be assessed?
Students are assessed at the end of each unit. Regular marking and feedback ensure students have the opportunity to improve their work.
Intervention, support and homework clubs allow students to work to their full potential.
Parental support is very important to the progress and achievement of all students.
Please ensure your child completes all homework to the best of their ability and submits this on time.
Independent learning is very important to build on their IT and programming skills. Students and parents can use the following websites:
- teach-ict.com
- http://www.reviseict.co.uk/
- http://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/ict/
- http://www.codecademy.com/
- http://appshed.com/
- http://barclayscodeplayground.co.uk/
- Bitesize
KS4 Computer Science
| Course | Computer Science |
| Examining Board | OCR |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? | Computer Science gives students a real, in-depth understanding of how computer technology works. It offers an insight into what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ including computer programming, which many students find absorbing. Learning to program is a core component of a computer science course. Students should be competent at reading and writing programs and be able to reason with code. They must be able to apply their skills to solve real problems and produce robust programs. The qualification will build on the knowledge, understanding, and skills established through the Computer Science elements of the Key Stage 3 programme of study. The content has been designed not only to allow for a solid basis of understanding but to engage learners and get them thinking about real-world applications. |
| Unit 1 | 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 |
| Unit 2 | Computational thinking, algorithms, and programming• Algorithms • Programming techniques • Producing robust programs • Computational logic • Translators and facilities for languages • Data representation |
| Unit 3 | Programming Project • Programming techniques • Analysis • Design • Development • Testing evaluation and conclusions Formal requirement Consolidates the learning across the specification through practical activity. |
| Assessment | 50% Computer systems 1 hour and 30 minutes Written paper (no calculators allowed) 50% Computational thinking, algorithms and programming 1 hour and 30 minutes Written paper (no calculators allowed) |
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses | Degree inInformation Technology and Information Systems. Computer Science. Information Science. Systems & Network Administration. Software Engineering. Computer Engineering. Cybersecurity. Jobs Data scientist. Software tester. Web developer. Systems analyst. Business analyst. Product manager. Network architect. Software engineer. |
| Useful resources | https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberfirst/overview https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/what-can-you-do-computer-science-degree |
KS4 Information Technology
| Course | Cambridge Nationals in Information Technologies |
| Examining Board | OCR |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? | The collection and communication of data and storing of data/information happens all around us. Technology underpins how it’s collected and communicated nearly all of the time. It can be seen in all walks of life, from a wearable fitness tracker recording how many steps you have taken, your mobile phone provider recording your usage to create your bill or an online retailer being able to target you with specific promotions based on your purchase history. Knowing how and why data is gathered and being able to turn raw data into something meaningful is essential as the learner moves through education and into employment. IT gives you skills that would be a skill used in any career path. To be able to do this the learner will need to have the confidence to use a range of information technology that is currently available, as well as being adaptable and resilient enough to deal with rapid advances. |
| R050: IT in the digital world Written paper, OCR set, and marked |
IT in the Digital World TA1: Design Tools TA2: Human-Computer Interface (HCI) in everyday life TA3: Data Testing TA4: Cyber-Security and LegislationTA5 Digital CommunicationTA6 Internet of Everything (IoE) |
| R060: Data manipulation using spreadsheets Centre-assessed tasks, OCR moderated |
Developing technological solutionsTA1: Planning and designing the spreadsheet solution TA2: Creating spreadsheet solution TA3: Testing the Spreadsheet solution TA4: Evaluating the spreadsheet solution |
| Assessment | R050 • 1 hour 45 minutes written examination R060/R070Approximately 20 hours • The assignment will include a context and set of tasks • A new assignment will be released for each series and published on the OCR website |
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses | Degree inInformation Technology and Information Systems. Computer Science. Information Science. Systems & Network Administration. Software Engineering. Computer Engineering. Cybersecurity. Jobs Data scientist. Software tester. Web developer. Systems analyst. Business analyst. Product manager. Network architect. Software engineer. |
| Useful resources | https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberfirst/overview https://www.careermatch.com/job-prep/career-insights/articles/majoring-in-computer-science-100-careers-to-consider/ https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/what-can-you-do-computer-science-degree |
KS4 Creative Imedia
| Course | Cambridge Nationals in Creative imedia |
| Examining Board | OCR |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? |
Creative iMedia helps you learn how to design and produce digital content such as: Graphics and digital images
Animations
Video and audio products
Interactive media (like websites or apps) You get hands-on experience using professional software and tools — skills that are valuable in many |
| R093 - Creative imedia in the media industry | This unit focuses on understanding how the media industry works and how different media products are planned, created, and distributed. You’ll learn about the key sectors of the media industry, such as film, television, animation, publishing, and gaming, and explore the different job roles within them. |
| R094- Visual Identity and digital graphics | In this unit, you will learn how visual identity is used to create a brand image and how digital graphics communicate messages to an audience. You’ll explore how colours, fonts, logos, and design styles help to represent a company or product’s identity. |
| R095- Characters and Comics | In this unit, you will plan, create, and review a comic which uses original characters. You will start by interpreting a client brief, identifying a target audience, and producing pre-production documents (such as storyboards, scripts, and asset tables) that outline your character ideas and the comic layout. |
| Assessment | 1 Exam 2 Controlled Assessments |
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses |
Graphic Designer Digital Illustrator Brand/Logo Designer
UI (User Interface) Designer Next steps: Study Graphic Design, Art & Design, or Digital Media at college (Level 3 or A Level), then progress to a creative media degree or design apprenticeship. |
KS5 Computer Science
| Course |
A-Level Computer Science
|
| Examining Board | OCR |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? | The A Level Computer Science qualification helps students understand the core academic principles of computer science. Classroom learning is transferred into creating real-world systems through the creation of an independent programming project. This A Level will develop the student’s technical understanding and their ability to analyse and solve problems using computational thinking. The qualification prepares you for the world of work in the 21st century as well as the prospect of study and some the country’s leading Russell Group universities. |
| Unit 1 | Computer Systems The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices Software and software development Exchanging data Data types, data structures and algorithms Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues |
| Unit 2 | Algorithms and Programming Elements of computational thinking Problem solving and programming Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms |
| Unit 3 | Programming Project The learner will choose a computing problem to work through according to the guidance in the specification. Analysis of the problem Design of the solution Developing the solution Evaluation. |
| Assessment AS | 2 Exams |
| Assessment A-Level | 2 Exams 1 Non exam assessment (coursework)
|
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses | IT Infrastructure Technician Typical job roles within this pathway include: IT technical support, database administrator, field technician, network technician, infrastructure technician, network planner or cloud technician. Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner Typical job roles within this pathway include; junior digital content developer, 3D graphics technician, virtual reality software technician, software developer, digital identity planners or digital content developer Application Developer Technician Typical job roles within this pathway include; web application developer, software engineer, mobile application developer, application developer or software analyst. Data Analyst. IT Infrastructure Technician pathway Typical job roles within this pathway include; data analyst, data quality analyst, Statistical data analyst, Big Data architect, Digital data analyst or Customer insight analyst. |
KS5 Information Technology
| Course |
Cambridge Technical Level 3 introductory Diploma in IT (Up to 2026)
|
| Examining Board | OCR |
| Why study this subject? | The qualification prepares you for the world of work in the 21st century as well as the prospect of study and some the country’s leading Russell Group universities. The course has been designed in collaboration with experts across the whole IT sector. The course focuses on the skills, knowledge and understanding required by today’s universities and employers. We believe the course will give our students the best access to further education and the world of work in a full range of specialties, from business and project management, through to website design and computer graphics and animation. The course will provide you with an insight into the IT sector, the pace of technological change, IT infrastructure, and the flow of information on a global scale, as well as the important legal and security considerations. Unit 3 cyber security reflects an important development in the sector around information security. You will consider how data should be protected and how the IT sector should respond to emerging threats such as cyber terrorism |
| Unit 1 | Fundamentals of IT Hardware Software Networks Communication Ethics, security and data |
| Unit 2 | Global information Information handling Information management systems Uses of information Information and the law Information flows Information security |
| Unit 3 | Cyber security |
| Unit 4 | Application design Prototype Application design Providing solutions Design generation Presenting applications to users and clients |
| Unit 5 | Website design and Prototype Fundamentals of web design Development planning Prototypes for clients Presenting to clients |
| Assessment | The Computing Applications assessments consist of five units in total: two are examined units, and three are coursework units. This structure ensures that students are assessed both through formal exams and practical, project-based work. |
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses | IT Infrastructure Technician Typical job roles within this pathway include: IT technical support, database administrator, field technician, network technician, infrastructure technician, network planner or cloud technician. Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner Typical job roles within this pathway include; junior digital content developer, 3D graphics technician, virtual reality software technician, software developer, digital identity planners or digital content developer Application Developer Technician Typical job roles within this pathway include; web application developer, software engineer, mobile application developer, application developer or software analyst. Data Analyst. IT Infrastructure Technician pathway Typical job roles within this pathway include; data analyst, data quality analyst, Statistical data analyst, Big Data architect, Digital data analyst or Customer insight analyst. |
KS5 Computing Applications (AAQ)
| Course |
Cambridge Advanced National in Computing Application (AAQ) Teaching from 2025 |
|
Examining Board |
OCR |
| Why study this subject? | Step into the world of technology with Computing Applications a dynamic subject designed to give students the practical skills and confidence to thrive in our digital age. From creating documents and managing data to exploring coding, design, and problem-solving, this course empowers learners to understand and use technology effectively. In a world where computers drive progress in every field from medicine and engineering to art and business Computing Applications equips students to think creatively, work efficiently, and lead confidently in a tech-powered future. |
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F160 – Fundamentals of Application Development (Exam)
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This unit introduces how software and applications are created to meet real-world needs. Students explore: TA1 :Types of software and applications |
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F161 Developing application Software |
This unit dives into how applications are implemented, deployed and maintained across platforms. Students explore: TA1: Application software considerations and platforms TA5: Operational Considerations TA6: Legal Considerations |
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F162 Designing and Communicating UX/UI Solutions |
In this unit, students will delve into what makes a digital interface intuitive and engaging. Students explore: TA1 Principles of UX and UI Design TA2: Planning UX/UI solutions TA5 Review and improve UX/UI Solutions |
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F164 – Website Development (Non-Exam Assessment)
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In this practical unit, students plan, design, build, test, and refine a fully functional website. Topic areas include:
Students develop real-world web design and coding skills through hands-on project work. |
| F165 – Immersive Technology Solution Development (Non-Exam Assessment)
|
In this cutting‑edge unit, students explore how immersive technologies like AR, VR and MR are built and applied. They move from concept to finished prototype, covering:
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KS5 Diploma in Digital Media
|
Course: |
Cambridge Technical's Diploma in Digital Media (Equivalent to two A-levels) |
|
Examining Board |
OCR |
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Why study this subject? |
The Digital Media Diploma lets you turn creativity into skills employers love. Learn design, animation, and digital content production while building a professional portfolio for exciting careers in media and technology. |
|
Assessments: |
Through a series of practical, hands-on projects, you’ll have the opportunity to plan, design, test, and produce your own high-quality digital solutions. The course helps you build essential technical knowledge, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills, preparing you for further study or a future career in areas such as digital media, computing, game design, or software development. |
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Unit 1: |
Media Products and Audience (Exam) |
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Unit 2: |
Pre-Production and Planning (Exam) |
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Unit 3: |
Create a Media Product (Project) |
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Unit 4: |
Interactive Media Product (Project) |
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Unit 6: |
Social Media and Globalisation (Project) |
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Unit 7: |
Journalism and the News Industry (Project) |
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Unit 9: |
Comics and Graphic Novel Storytelling ( Project) |
| Unit 10: | Create a Digital Animation (Project) |
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Unit 13: |
Graphic Design for Digital Media Products (Project) |
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Unit 20: |
Advertising Media (Project) |
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Unit 21: |
Plan and Deliver a Pitch for a Media Product (Project) |
