Hartismere School

Est. 1451. An outstanding coeducational secondary school & sixth form college and England's first academy

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A Level Computer Science

What is it all about?

A level Computer Science builds upon the knowledge and skills developed at GCSE by going into greater depth, particularly with the workings of the CPU, operating systems, web technologies and programming. We have had many successful students who have studied this without taking GCSE computer science, but it would be a steep learning curve.

What do we study?

The course is split into two units at AS (year 12) and three in year 13 for the full A level: 

1. Computer systems: What we learn about includes the workings of the CPU, how software is created and the different types of software, how data is stored and represented in computers, how data is transferred between computers and the impacts of technology.

2. Algorithms and programming: This is all about understanding computational thinking and programming. We do quite a bit of programming using C# to develop experience coding.

3. Programming project: In year 13, students have the opportunity to develop a piece of software of their choice for an end user. They will use an Agile methodology to design, implement and test the program. This is a substantial bit of work but allows students to massively develop their programming ability.

Why would it be useful?

Students have expressed how the problem solving they have developed in computer science has complimented work in other subjects. Even if not actively pursuing a career in the industry, knowledge of how computers operate can only help in the modern world. Every year we have students go on to study computer related subjects at university, degree apprenticeships or straight into employment. The range of careers in the computing industry is massive. There are industries within industries! You have software development, hardware development, database management, web development, cyber security, network management, and many more.

 

We follow the OCR specification

Taking A Level Computer Science

A Level CS: Algorithm Assembly Instructions

Toyota Virtual Plant Tour

How robots are taking over warehouse work

Coding Challenges for GCSE and A Level Computer Science

In this section...

Sorting Visualiser

C# Yellow Book

C# Cook Books

Essential programming skills to learn

GCSE Computer Science

Online Little Man Computer - CPU simulator

I Belong: encouraging girls into computer science programme

CPU Fetch-Decode-Execute Animation

Programming software

See also...

Creative iMedia

Useful Websites

Year 12 revision

GCSE PAST PAPERS -ADDED FEB 2025

Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)

Languages

Sixth Form

Charities

Design and Technology

Useful Websites

Explore...

Artificial intelligence and assessments

Examinations

Hartismere Art & Photography Exhibition 2023

A levels: pre-reading and research materials

SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural) Learning

DofE Kit List

Code.Org - Express computer science course

Computerphile Sudoku Python

MegaProcessor - the largest CPU in the world

Using social media and examinations/assessments

New...

Hartismere Sixth Form College

Book a tour... appointments for 2025 - 2026 academic year will be available soon

E-Safety

Academic challenge and independence; attainment

University and careers; destinations & retention

Hartismere Bursary Criteria

Sixth Form Course Information

GCSE CS: 1.5 Networks - TCP/IP Layers and Protocols

Discover...

ICT Computer Science A Level CS Student Information A Levels A Level Pastoral Guidance Wellbeing Headteachers ZEN Parent Information Notices Algorithms Year 12 Digital Test Homework Year 10 Biology Key Stage 3 Photography Art

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