Hartismere School

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

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Taking A Level Computer Science

Two most important questions

Can I study A level computer science if I have not studied it at GCSE?

Many students ask this question. The answer is always ‘yes… but…’. Computer Science requires a lot of programming - it's one of the reasons we insist on a grade 6 in maths or a grade 6 in computer science. If you don’t like programming, you will hate it. There is also quite a bit of complex theory and those who study at GCSE will have a basic understanding of most of it. To be brutally honest, most of the students who have taken computer science after not studying at GCSE have found it a step too far and have not achieved as they would have expected. If you want to be successful, it would be a good idea to prepare a little first, both in terms of programming and theory. 

What can I do to prepare for A level computer science?

The most useful way of preparing would be to improve your skills in programming. Understanding how programming works will help to make everything else in the course make sense. It is also best learnt independently, unlike theory. The programming language we use to create software is C#, with a bit of HTML, CSS and JavaScript for web development. Any work you can do in these would be very beneficial. Below are some links that will be useful: 

In this section...

How robots are taking over warehouse work

Coding Challenges for GCSE and A Level Computer Science

Toyota Virtual Plant Tour

A Level CS: Algorithm Assembly Instructions

See also...

Technology and Food Studies

Charities

Social Sciences

Our curriculum

Binary addition 1

Science & Innovation

Professional Services

Humanities

Programming

C# Cook Books

Explore...

Attack the Block revision 2

The Lost Boys Revision

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

Attack the Block revision 1

The Wave: summary

Candidate Information - Coursework Assessments

The Lost Boys opening

Candidate Information - Non-examination assessments

Bronze DofE Enrolment Letter 2024-2025

Examinations

New...

What happens to your examination script?

Teacher of Mathematics (possibility to combine with a head of year post)

School Policies

Teacher of Mathematics (with specific year group responsibilities for key stage 5)

Local Governing Body Information

Pan's Labyrinth

Hartismere Art & Photography Exhibition 2025

Careers in Food & Nutrition

Discover...

Robmiles.Com Student Information A Level A Level CS GCSE Computer Science GCSE CS The Wave Nhs Attack The Block SCI Revision Year 11 GCSE Drama Bullying Vacancies Year 9 Options Miss Baker ZEN C# Recipes Year 9 Ingredients Design Technology Governor Technology

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