Computer Science Hub

1. Department Overview & Exam Board

Key Department Contacts:
- Head of Department: michelle.best@moultonschool.co.uk
- Deputy Head of Department: -
Exam Board & Course Codes:
- GCSE Computer Science AQA 8525

2. The Journey (Curriculum Map)

What is GCSE Computer Science

GCSE Computer Science is much more than learning how to use computers.

Students learn how computers work, how information is represented, how networks communicate, how algorithms solve problems and how programs are created.

It develops skills including:

•logical thinking

•problem solving

•computational thinking

•programming

•analysing problems

•debugging

•applying knowledge to unfamiliar situations

It is a subject where understanding and applying knowledge is just as important as remembering facts

3. The Destination (Exam Requirements & Goals)

Students need to be able to:

understand algorithms
1. trace algorithms
2. write and complete code
3. identify and correct errors
4. use selection (if, elif, else)
5. use iteration (for, while)
use functions/procedures
work with lists
use validation
test programs
explain how code works
solve programming problems

AQA specifically assesses students' ability to design, write, test and refine programs.

4. Permanent Guide (Parent Support/Empowerment Presentation)

Computer Science

5. The Support Toolkit & Resources

Pupil Google Classroom Code / Links:

Computer Science google classroom: orcfv73f
Specification - https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science/gcse/computer-science-8525/specification
Past Paper 1
Past Paper 1 Markscheme
Past Paper 2
Past Paper 2 Markscheme
Practice coding here: https://edublocks.org
Practice theory here: https://www.knowitallninja.com
Parents cheat sheet
Theory and programming explanations https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=craig+n+dave+aqa+gcse
Programming tutorials https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mosh

Programming - A Particularly Important Area:

Programming is a skill that improves through regular practice.

It is similar to learning a musical instrument or a language – reading about it isn't enough.

Students should practise:

•reading code

•predicting outputs

•writing small pieces of code

•finding errors

•explaining code

•solving unfamiliar problems

6. Practical Advice for Support at Home

You do not need to be able to program to support your child.

The most useful things parents can do are:

1. Encourage regular revision

Short, frequent sessions are generally more useful than trying to learn everything the night before an exam.

For example:

20–30 minutes several times a week

rather than:

3 hours the night before a test

2. Ask them to explain things to you

You can ask:

"Can you explain that to me?"

You don't need to know whether their answer is correct.

The act of explaining a topic can reveal whether they really understand it.

Try:

•"What is RAM?"

•"What's the difference between RAM and ROM?"

•"What does an operating system do?"

•"What is malware?"

•"What is an algorithm?"

•"What is a variable?"

•"What does this piece of code do?"

3. Encourage them to practise programming

Don't just revise definitions.

Students should actually write and trace code.

Useful questions include:

•"What will this program output?"

•"Where does the loop start?"

•"What happens if the user enters 0?"

•"Can you find the error?"

•"How could you test this?"

4. Don't let them rely entirely on memorisation

AQA questions often require students to apply their knowledge to a scenario.

For example, rather than simply:

Define a firewall.

students might need to explain how a firewall could protect a particular organisation.

That means students need to understand why and how, not just learn definitions.

Exam Paper and Cheat Sheet

Computer Science

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