Have you ever wondered how the Web works? Or how anybody can start to develop something as complex as a new computer game? Computing is an exciting and challenging subject in which you will develop valuable skills in problem-solving as well as learning how computers work. Many of our students go on to Higher Education courses in Computer Science but you will gain skills and knowledge which will prove useful in a wide range of other courses and careers, particularly in Maths, Science and Engineering.
A level Computing is a very different subject from ICT. Many students find school ICT courses to be lacking in challenge. Computing is not about acquiring ICT skills: you will not be taught how to use a word processor or spreadsheet.
To find out more about Computer Science, visit the Computer Science For Fun website. You can also find out more by visiting our Facebook page.
Entry with:
GCSE grade B in Maths or Science and Additional Science and GCSE grade B in a subject requiring good writing skills, e.g. English or Humanities. You do not need to have studied ICT at GCSE but you do need a logical mind, an enjoyment of puzzles and problem-solving and a passion for computers.
- • At Hills Road the emphasis is firmly on problem-solving and programming. You will learn how to analyse a problem, consider alternative solutions and use a computer to develop and test a solution.
- • There is a strong element of programming from the start: you will be writing your own programs from the first few weeks of the course! Teaching is centred on Pascal (using Delphi) but other software tools such as Scratch, mySQL and ASP are also used..
- • The vast majority of students have no previous experience of programming and we assume none. However, we do provide alternative, more challenging exercises for experienced programmers.
- • There is an active student-run Computer Science Society and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including regular guest speakers and the chance to take part in the British Informatics Olympiad and the National Cipher Challenge.
Awarding body:
AQA
AS Level Units
Unit 1: Problem-solving, programming, data representation and practical exercise 60%.
Unit 2: Computer components, the stored program concept and the internet 40%.
Advanced (A2) Level Units
Unit 3: Problem-solving, programming, operating systems and networking 60%.
Unit 4: Practical project – coursework 40%.
| | Year | Qual | A* | A | B | C | D | E | U | A-C | A-E |
| Computing | 11/12 | A | 6 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
87.5%
|
100.0%
|
| Computing | 10/11 | A | 4 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
80.8%
|
100.0%
|
| Computing | 09/10 | A | 6 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
83.8%
|
97.3%
|
| Computing | 08/09 | A | | 17 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
83.7%
|
100.0%
|
| Computing | 07/08 | A | | 16 | 14 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
84.2%
|
96.5%
|
| Computing | 11/12 | AS | | 27 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
89.3%
|
100.0%
|
| Computing | 10/11 | AS | | 19 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
90.7%
|
100.0%
|
| Computing | 09/10 | AS | | 29 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
81.8%
|
98.2%
|
| Computing | 08/09 | AS | | 27 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
83.6%
|
100.0%
|
| Computing | 07/08 | AS | | 33 | 21 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
90.1%
|
100.0%
|
- • The College has a modern, robust network.
- • The department has a dedicated teaching room with a 1:1 student-to-computer ratio.
- • A very extensive range of resources is available via the department’s intranet website.
- • Students are able to use the department’s own servers, providing the opportunity to develop dynamic websites using mySQL, PHP and ASP.
“The programming is fun and it's exciting to see how much you can do with the most basic knowledge of a programming language.”
Ryan Morrison
“The lessons are enjoyable, in fact by far the most enjoyable of any subject.”
Daniel Salomon