Computer Science courses that build technical mastery and innovative thinking across GCSE, IB and A Level in the Sixth Form. Students develop real-world coding skills in a collaborative environment within an independent school setting.
The OCR GCSE Computer Science course serves as an introduction to the world of professional software development within an independent school environment. It combines the development of a theoretical basis for how computers work with a hands-on practical approach, allowing the students to develop programming skills by writing high-level programming languages. The course will be taught with the programming language of Python, a simple yet powerful language that is easy to learn from as part of Malvern College’s GCSE Computer Science programme in the Sixth Form pathway.
The student is assessed with two written examinations, Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Paper 1 tests a student’s ability to describe how computers work. The paper is broadly split into four topics:
Paper 2 tests a student’s ability to use computers to solve problems and assess a student’s algorithmic thinking.
Within this they will need to show a mastery of using the Python programming language to solve algorithmic problems. Whilst there is no assessment that tests a student’s ability to program on a computer, a good number of our lessons will be learning to program in Python.
Standard/Higher Level
Computer Science is fundamentally about problem-solving. Students learn to analyse problems, design algorithms, and implement solutions in Python. The course builds a deep understanding of computing systems and prepares students for a future shaped by technology, particularly in fields like machine learning, data science and software development.
The course combines theory and hands-on programming, developing skills in both computational thinking and real-world coding. Python is the core programming language taught.
Students study two main themes:
All students undertake a Collaborative Sciences Project and design a computational solution to a real-world problem. HL students explore additional content and tackle more advanced concepts.
Minimum Requirements: Grade 7+ in GCSE/IGCSE Computer Science is recommended; students with a Grade 6 may be accepted but should expect a steep learning curve.
Note for Swiss Universities: Computer Science can only be used as a Group 6 subject (arts/electives), not as the required Group 4 (science) subject.
The Computer Science A-Level programme seeks to extend knowledge already studied in the GCSE course to really develop a student’s understanding of how computers work, how to make them do useful things and how to think like a Computer! As with the GCSE course Python will be the programming language of choice. The A level also introduces new topics not previously taught in the GCSE syllabus such as website development, Object orientated programming and relational databases.
Component 1 – Computer Systems: The students will learn how computers work and will develop a good understanding of hardware components that work together to make a computer work. The students will also learn about the types of software, networks, databases and data representation of information. Finally this component features an ethical and moral component where students will review the impacts of computers, the laws that guide their use and think about how to use them ethically.
Component 2 – Algorithms and Programming: The students will develop their problem solving skills and programming work. We learn about various techniques in programming such as recursive algorithms and object orientated programming. We analyse how these techniques can be applied to different scenarios with the aim of students reviewing algorithms and comprehending how they work.
Component 3 – NEA Project: As part of the course the students work on programming project. They need to choose a problem to tackle and they have great freedom in their choice of topic. Once they have chosen a topic; they analyse it, design a computational solution and develop it themselves. In the past students have created some very impressive projects including a chess game, a gravity simulation and an ecological simulation.
Component 1: Computer Systems (2 hours and 30 minutes) 40% of the Qualification
Component 2: Algorithms and Programming (2 hours and 30 minutes) 40% of the Qualification
Component 3: Non examined Assessment – Programming Project 20% of the Qualification
Examination board: OCR (H446)
Experience has shown that in order for students to have a strong enough base from which to study Computer Science with confidence in the Sixth Form, they should have a grade 7 or higher in GCSE/IGCSE Computer Science, although students will be accepted on the course with a grade 6.