Computer Science

A robust and excellent Computing curriculum that allows pupils to experiment and experience computational thinking and inventiveness to understand and revolutionise the world

Develop a curriculum that creates curiosity, creativity and drive to exceed
The Key Stage 3 curriculum has been designed to ensure learners have sufficient knowledge to stay safe online and use computers safely in life
The Computer Science curriculum has been created to provide the foundations of critical computing knowledge and skills which can be enhanced and utilised within Key Stage 4
Good quality Computer Science skills enables students to participate in the design, development and creation of new technologies to be used in the world in which they live
Identify that Computer Science has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems

Lessons Provided in a Week

KS3 – 1 Lesson a week

KS4 – 3 Lesson a week

KS5 – 6 Lessons a week(3 lesson paper 1/NEA & 3 lessons paper 2)

Key Stage 4 course

OCR – J277

Key Stage 5 course

OCR – H466

Enrichment Opportunities

Computing Clubs

Skills

The OCR Computer Science subjects, spanning both GCSE (J277) and A Level (H446), provides a comprehensive progression from foundational principles to advanced technical mastery and professional project management.

Students begin by developing core academic skills such as abstraction, decomposition, and algorithmic thinking to solve complex problems, while gaining practical experience in high-level programming languages like Python or Java to create robust, reliable software.

As they advance to the A Level, this knowledge expands into sophisticated areas including concurrent thinking, object-oriented paradigms, and the manipulation of complex data structures like trees and hash tables. This technical growth is underpinned by strong mathematical foundations, involving Boolean algebra and logic gates, alongside a deep dive into web and database technologies using HTML, CSS, and SQL. Furthermore, the curriculum emphasises professional workplace skills through mandatory programming projects that utilise agile development and systems analysis, all while fostering a critical understanding of the ethical, legal, and environmental impacts of digital technology in a global society.

Progression Route

Both the OCR GCSE and A Level Computer Science courses are designed to provide clear pathways into further education, higher study, and professional careers in the technology sector. The GCSE (J277) serves as a foundational step, specifically engineered to transition seamlessly into AS Level and A Level Computer Science.

Beyond secondary education, the A Level (H446) is a high-currency qualification developed in consultation with universities and employers to ensure it meets the needs of Higher Education and the modern workplace.

Completing the A Level enables students to progress to degree-level study in subjects like Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Artificial Intelligence, or move directly into technical employment and higher-level apprenticeships.

These courses cultivate highly valued “post-school” skills—such as agile project management and advanced problem-solving—that are applicable to any career requiring a deep understanding of digital systems.