As you move from GCSE to A Level, we cover many of the same key concepts, but in a much richer, considered way, with more emphasis on thinking analytically and applying your knowledge thoughtfully to different real-world scenarios.

Our small class sizes are vital to making this transition, as you will have plenty of access to individual support from our dedicated teachers, who are committed to providing regular, specific and constructive feedback throughout the course.

A Level content

• Computer systems and architecture – You will explore the internal components of a computer system (processor, memory, storage, I/O), how software (system and application) interacts with hardware, the role of operating systems, translators and utilities, and the stored-program concept. You will also examine how data is represented, stored and transmitted (number systems, binary/hex, compression, error-checking, networks, databases and Big Data).

• Algorithms and programming – By exploring computational thinking you will look at how computers solve problems and how programs can be written. You will study standard algorithms and use algorithms and programming to describe and solve problems.

• Programming project – Through computational thinking and problem-solving you will learn how to design, implement, test and refine programs in Python. You will study standard algorithms (searching, sorting, graph‐algorithms, recursion), data structures (arrays, lists, trees, hash tables) and algorithmic complexity.

• Practical project (NEA) – Over an extended period you will select a user-driven problem (or investigation) in Python, carry out analysis, design, development, testing and evaluation of a working solution, and produce supporting documentation.

AS Level content

• Fundamentals of programming and problem solving – Starting with Python, you will cover data types, variables, control structures, subroutines, basic data structures (arrays, records), computational thinking (abstraction, decomposition, algorithms).

• Fundamentals of computer systems – You will introduce hardware and software classifications, data representation, computer architecture, networks and the ethical, legal and societal implications of computing.

Variant D (Python) note

Variant D (entry code 7517D for the A-Level) means the chosen programming language supported by the specification is Python. The language choice affects the programming tasks, skeleton code and NEA environment but does not alter the core subject content, assessment structure or weighting of the qualification.

A Level assessment

• Computer systems: You will be assessed by a 2 hour 30 minutes written examination, comprising a mix of short-answer and longer-answer questions. (40% of the total marks)

• Algorithms and programming: You will be assessed by a 2 hour 30 minutes on-screen examination, comprising a mix of short-answer and longer-answer questions and a scenario/task involving problem solving. (40% of the total marks)

• Non-examined assessment (NEA): Internally assessed and externally moderated Programming project. (20% of the total marks)

AS Level assessment

• Computing principles: You will be assessed in a 1 hour 30 minutes written examination, comprising a mix of short-answer and longer-answer questions. (50% of the total marks)

• Algorithms and problem solving: You will be assessed in a 1 hour 30 minutes 0n-screen examination, comprising a mix of short-answer and longer-answer questions and a short scenario/task involving problem solving. (50% of the total marks)