Computing & Computer Science

Our approach to teaching Computing at the Harrodian keeps the new realities of the tech economy and the creative and practical skills required by technologically focused employers firmly in mind. All students study the subject in their first year in the Senior school. If they are enthusiastic about Computing, students can then embark on a two-year GCSE course in Computer Science where they will have opportunities to further their understanding of how computers work and how to develop programs that run on them.

GCSE

Pupils study the OCR GCSE course, following the 9-1 assessment. For details please see the OCR Website or the Harrodian GCSE Prospectus.

Course Introduction

After studying GCSE Computer Science, pupils should be able to:

  • analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving problems including designing, writing and debugging programs
  • think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
  • understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with one another
  • understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society
  • apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science.

The course consists of the following components:

Component 1: Computer systems, including: systems architecture; networks; protocols; security; ethical, legal, and environmental concerns.

Component 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming, including; pseudocode; flowcharts; producing robust programs; computational logic; data representation. We will use Python as our main programming language.

There will also be an opportunity to work on an extended programming project: analysing a problem from a choice of possible challenges, and designing, developing, testing and evaluating a solution.

For more specific year-by-year information, please refer to our Curriculum Handbooks/Information Booklets

Extracurricular

Each year we collaborate with the 3D Design Department on a STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) project. Last year we did some coding on BBC Micro:Bit computers to facilitate data logging for the Harrodian “European CanSat Competition” entry.

Staff

Head of Computing / Online Safety Coordinator: James Gledhill 

Other teachers of Computing: please select the relevant department on the dropdown menu to view our full staff list by clicking here.