Computing

The impact of computing on society is enormous and, as the pace of technological development grows, so does the need for people who can master new technologies.

At Monmouth School for Girls we strive to provide our pupils opportunities to develop their problem solving and programming skills, allowing them to become developers and not just consumers of technology. The study of computing can lead to a wide variety of higher education courses and careers including – cyber security, robotics, artificial intelligence, software engineering and the medical applications of technology. Whichever path a young student now travels, the world of computing is not far away.

Curriculum

Years 7-9
Year 7

Michaelmas Term

  • E-safety
  • Computer components
  • Binary
  • Desk Top Publisher
  • Computational thinking – BEBRAS competition
  • Web design – HTML

Lent Term

  • Spreadsheets
  • Robotics
  • Video editing – Weather forecast

Summer Term

  • Algorithms
  • Python programming
  • Databases
  • Encryption

Assessments that are completed during the year:

  • Computer components
  • Binary
  • Web design – HTML
  • Spreadsheets
  • Robotics
  • Video editing – Weather forecast
  • Python programming
  • Databases
  • Encryption

Year 8

Michaelmas Term

  • Internet Safety
  • Binary and Binary Addition
  • Storage technologies
  • Types of Memory
  • Databases
  • Computational thinking – BEBRAS challenge
  • Python programming
  • Desktop publishing

Lent Term

  • Spreadsheet software
  • BBC Microbit project
  • App Development

Summer Term

  • Algorithms
  • Flowchart design
  • Convergence and new technologies
  • E safety Protecting personal data
  • E safety computer crime
  • Desktop publishing

Assessments that are completed during the year:

  • Binary and binary addition
  • Database
  • Storage technologies
  • Types of Memory
  • Endangered Animals Database
  • Spreadsheet App development
  • PG Convergence and new technologies
  • PG e-safety Protecting personal data
  • PG e-safety computer crime

Year 9

Michaelmas Term

  • Internet Safety
  • Hexadecimal + Binary
  •  Hexadecimal – character sets
  • Desk Top Publishing – Placemats
  • Computational thinking- BEBRAS Competition
  • Raspberry Pi GPIO
  • Raspberry Pi GPIO arrays
  • Raspberry Pi – Minecraft

Lent Term

  • Databases
  • Python
  • Logic Gates   
  • Algorithms – Writing
  • Algorithms – Pseudocode
  • Algorithms Flowcharts
  • Algorithms – Sorting and Searching

Summer Term

  • Networks
  • Ciphers
  • Code challenge

Assessments that are completed during the year:

  • Hexadecimal + Binary
  • Desk top publishing
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Databases
  • Python
  • Logic Gates
  • Algorithms
  • Networks
GCSE

At KS4 we study iGCSE computer science, alongside demonstrating their understanding of algorithms and computing mathematics the girls also have opportunities to put much of the theory from the course into practice. Some of the practical lessons include: building computers from scratch while investigating the roles of each component, also creating and testing networks with routers and raspberry pi computers.

The course we follow is with the Cambridge board, the girls hard work and enjoyment of the subject evident in our 2019 results where 58% of the girls achieved an A* with the national average in computer science being 15% A*.

A level Computer Science

Why study Computer Science?

It is projected that there will be 1,000,000 more computer science jobs than students by 2020; 71% of all STEM career openings will be in computer science related fields, but only 8% of STEM graduates are computer scientists. “We simply cannot hire enough computer scientists and this seems madness at a time of such high youth unemployment… Companies like Rolls-Royce and GlaxoSmithKline depend on great programmers as much as games developers and visual effects companies do.” Ian Livingstone, Life president, Eidos

If you like solving problems, e.g. Sudoku and logic puzzles, are good at lateral thinking, and are creative you will enjoy computer science. It is about the logical problem solving, design and implementation of computer systems and software.

Computer science is a swiftly moving field that unites many disciplines, like, mathematics, programming, engineering, philosophy and ethics. It opens an array of career paths and appears individually or jointly in a range of courses, for example Computer Science & Games Technology, Computer Science and Web Technologies and Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence.

GCSE Computer Science is not a prerequisite for A level Computer Science; a good grade at GCSE Maths is necessary though. Students should also be passionate and curious, and keen to build and code outside class too.

A level Mathematics is not essential to take Computer Science but students who also take A level Mathematics will find elements of this course easier to grasp.  Students considering taking Computer Science at university should also consider A level Mathematics.

Our previous students have interned and now work with companies like Google, SkyScanner, QinetiQ, and 3M.

Our students have also gained awards for achieving A level grades in the top 50 in the UK. Many have attained places at top universities, or gone straight to industry, e.g. GCHQ or Renishaw. “Our policy at Facebook is literally to hire as many talented engineers as we can find. There just aren’t enough people who are trained and have these skills today.” Mark Zuckerberg , Founder, Facebook

Computer Science is currently taught at Monmouth School for Boys.

Computer Science A level is currently taught to Sixth Form girls and boys at Monmouth School for Boys.

Monmouth School for Boys Head of Department: Ms L A Hope


Course content

Board: AQA   A level Syllabus Code: 7517

  • Programming
  • Data structures
  • Algorithms
  • Theory of computation
  • Data representation
  • Computer systems
  • Computer organisation and architecture
  • Consequences of uses of computing
  • Communication and networking
  • Databases
  • Big Data
  • Functional programming
  • Systematic approach to problem solving
  • Non-exam assessment – the computing practical project

Method of assessment

Paper 1   (40% of A level).
2½ hour on-screen exam with short and extended answer questions testing topics from sections 1 to 4 above, and programming and problem solving skills based on a pre-released skeleton program.

Paper 2     (40% of A level).
2½ hour written exam with short and extended answer questions testing topics from sections 5 to 12 above.

Non-exam assessment     (20% of A level).
A project systematically exploring a problem and developing a fully programmed solution. This allows students to choose an area of interest, explore it in greater depth, extending their programming skills and deepening their understanding of computer science.

Co-curricular

The computing department provides an extra-curricular opportunity to develop our pupils’ skills and knowledge in programming and also in the creative aspects of computer use, from graphics to animation.

For KS3 (Years 7-9) the Computer Club takes place during a lunchtime every week. Working with the department’s prefect, the pupils enjoy the challenge of exploring new programs, creating games and animations of their own design, in a free and fun atmosphere.

The four Computing labs are open every lunchtime for pupils of all ages to use, whether for research, exploration of new resources or working collaboratively with others.