What does the qualification aim to achieve?
How is the course assessed?
What topics will you study?
Pearson Edexcel GCSE in Computer Science
Students are able to choose Computer Science as a brand new option subject in Year 10 and 11, following the new Edexcel specification GCSE qualification. From 2015, Edexcel GCSE Computer Science counts as a science option in the EBacc measure in secondary school performance tables. This means that a student who sits any three of the four separate sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science) and achieves a C or above in two of them will fulfil the science requirement of the EBacc.
There’s more to Computer Science than simply programming. Computer Science is the study of how computer systems work, how they are constructed and programmed. It consists of a body of knowledge, a set of techniques/methods for solving problems, as well as practical programming skills. What this means is that a course in Computer Science has to cover a lot of theory teaching, as well as plenty of practical problem solving and programming. Computational thinking is a large part of the course and forms the bulk of what is taught.
This qualification specifically aims to:
develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science
develop and apply computational thinking skills to analyse problems and design solutions across a range of contexts
gain practical experience of designing, writing, and testing computer programs that accomplish specific goals
develop the ability to reason, explain and evaluate computing solutions
develop awareness of current and emerging trends in computing technologies
develop awareness of the impact of computing on individuals, society and the environment, including ethical, legal and ownership issues
communicate computer science concepts and explain computational solutions clearly and concisely using appropriate terminology
The Pearson Edexcel GCSE in Computer Science is a linear qualification. It has two assessment components: a written paper with a weighting of 75% and a controlled assessment task with a weighting of 25%.
Computational thinking is a key feature of both, accounting for approximately 65% of the marks across the two components.
Written Paper Content
Controlled Assessment Content
The topics you will study:
The subject content of the specification is divided into six topics, mirroring the ‘Range and Content’ of the CAS curriculum
(Computing at School - http://www.computingatschool.org.uk/index.php?id=cacfs)
Topic 1: Problem Solving (algorithms)
Topic 2: Programming (programs)
Topic 3: Data
Topic 4: Computers
Topic 5: Communication and the Internet
Topic 6: The Bigger Picture
For more information on this qualification please see the Edexcel website:
For further subject information please contact Miss Sarah Harris - Head of Computing/ICT