Computing
Our approach to teaching Computing at Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School is rooted in creativity, problem-solving, and digital responsibility. We believe that every student can develop the skills and confidence to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world. From Key Stage 3 through to A Level, our curriculum is designed to build computational thinking, coding proficiency, and an understanding of how technology shapes modern life.
Lessons are practical and engaging; our specialist teachers use real-world examples, interactive programming tasks, and project-based learning to make concepts meaningful. Students are encouraged to experiment, question, and apply their knowledge to solve problems and create innovative solutions. We also place a strong emphasis on online safety and digital citizenship, ensuring students use technology responsibly.
Key Stage 3
Course Overview
The KS3 curriculum is designed around some of the core principles of the Computer Science A Level and GCSE: Computer Systems, Data Representation, Basics of Code, Project completion, and Cyber Security.
Early on we use the rationale that for students to access all the curriculum and to benefit the school, we teach beyond the curriculum for the majority of the time in Year 7 to give students the wider IT skills they require to be good digital citizens. We establish student accounts on the school network, and we introduce them to several key systems used within the school. We also teach a unit of work on how to be safe on the internet for an appropriate audience and a unit of work on the basics programming using scratch. We also introduce students in Year 8 to using HTML to create a web page based upon E-Safety concepts.
The most important part that we link to GCSE is beginning to build the programming skills of the students and we do this through the use of Turtle inside the Python programming language. However, everything we do at LGGS is in line with guidance from the National Curriculum for computing at KS3, and it opens further possibilities that allow students to make rapid progress in Year 10 if they choose GCSE Computing as an option.
KS3 topic areas include:
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Computing & E-Safety | HTML Websites | Python Programming |
| Cryptography | Networking | Data Representation |
| Scratch and Micro bits | Computational Technology | Inside a computer |
| Graphics | Technology | Artificial Intelligence |
| Kodu | IT in Society | E-Safety |
What can I do to support my child?
1. Talk to them about what they are studying in class
2. If you can, try to provide opportunities for your child to use a wider range of information communication technology, such as keyboards, remote control devices, recording equipment or even doing the shopping for you on the internet (although you may want to enter your card details yourself!).
3. Encourage your child to make the most of the computer to improve the presentation of homework by using text, graphs, pictures, sound or video and so forth. Encourage your child to revisit knowledge and skills taught in class.
4. Encourage your daughter to respond to teacher feedback, making improvements to their work and catching up on anything missed.
5. Reading the following articles will reinforce and expand on the in class learning:
Online safety activities for all ages:
Richard Smith (Amazing ICT) is sharing a range of ‘how to’ videos on his website and his Youtube channel.
Scratch Coding (with resources)
Scratch: Getting Started Guide
Range of coding puzzles and activities to support the ‘Hour of Code’.
How will students be assessed?
At the end of each unit of work (typically completed over one half term) there is an assessment task, designed to assess the skills students have practiced over that unit. Whilst there will be topic-specific content, the assessments are very much skills-based, ascertaining students’ abilities to apply what they have learnt over the last half term.
Key Stage 4 (GCSE)
Exam Board and details
Exam Board: GCSE OCR Computer Science (J277)
Specification:
Course Overview
Choosing GCSE Computer Science provides a strong foundation in problem-solving, critical thinking, and coding skills, which are highly valuable across various careers, not just in IT, making it a relevant choice for future education and employment opportunities; it also allows you to learn how to create applications, understand modern technology, and develop valuable project management skills. Coding and computational thinking are essential skills in today's technology-driven world, opening doors to a wide range of careers like software development, web design, app development, and cybersecurity. LGGS is well equipped and resourced to teach this fascinating subject.
The teaching at LGGS focuses on:
• Computational thinking as its core, helping students to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand human and machine intelligence
• Applying the academic principles they learn in the classroom to real-world systems in an exciting and engaging way
• Giving students a clear progression into A ‘level education, as the course was designed after consultation with members of BCS
How will students be assessed?
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
|
Written paper: 1 hour and 30 minutes 50% of total GCSE 80 marks |
Systems architecture, memory and storage, computer networks, connections and protocols, network security, systems software and ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology The question paper will consist of short and medium answer questions. There will also be one 8-mark extended response question |
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
|
Written paper: 1 hour and 30 minutes 50% of total GCSE 80 marks |
Section A is worth 50 marks, and assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Computer Science. Students then apply these to problems in computational terms, where they may use an algorithmic approach. Section B is worth 30 marks, and assesses students’ Practical Programming skills and their ability to design, write, test and refine programs. |
Key Stage 5 (A Level)
Exam Board and details
Exam Board: AQA A Level Computer Science (7517)
Specification:
Course Overview
The increasing use of technology in all aspects of society makes the confident, creative and productive use of computing an essential skill for life. Computing capability encompasses not only the mastery of technical skills and techniques, but also the understanding to apply these skills purposefully, safely and responsibly in learning and in everyday life and employment. Understanding how computers impact our everyday lives has now become a pre-requisite for participation and engagement in modern society. With a knowledge and understanding of computing pupils are empowered and motivated to take on the challenges of a technological age.
Computer Science can be used to find, develop, analyse and present information, as well as to model situations and solve problems. Computing enables rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures, and allows pupils to collaborate and exchange information on a wider scale.
In Computing students learn a range of knowledge and skills including computer systems, data structures, algorithms, programming, networks and communications systems in the modern world, using the latest technology and the Internet. They develop and apply their analytic, problem solving, design and computational thinking creativity. They also explore important elements of how to make use of ICT safely and responsibly and 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.
How will students be assessed?
Course information
There are two examined units and two non-exam assessments. Both exams are worth 40% of the final A-Level grade; the non-exam assessments combine to make up the other 20%.
A Level Paper 1 on-screen exam: 40% of the marks
Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an electronic answer document. This paper is in Python. This paper tests a student's programming ability, and theoretical knowledge of data structures, systematic problem solving, and the theory of computation.
A Level Paper 2 written exam: 40% of the marks
This paper tests the fundamentals of data representation, computer systems (hardware and software), computer architecture and organisation, communications and networking, the consequences of using computing, databases and big data, and functional programming.
Non exam assessment: 20% of the marks
This coursework unit assesses students’ ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem.
| Overview Paper 1 | Focus |
|---|---|
|
Written paper: 2 hour and 30 minutes 40% of total A level 80 marks |
Systems architecture, memory and storage, computer networks, connections and protocols, network security, systems software and ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology The question paper will consist of short and medium answer questions. There will also be one 8-mark extended response question |
| Overview Paper 2 | Focus |
|---|---|
|
Written paper: 2 hour and 30 minutes 40% of total A level 80 marks |
Systems architecture, memory and storage, computer networks, connections and protocols, network security, systems software and ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology The question paper will consist of short and medium answer questions. There will also be one 8-mark extended response question |