Computer Science

What is Computer Science?

In this course, students will work creatively and collaboratively to develop their computational thinking skills. By establishing their own games company, they will develop project management and technical skills using a projectbased approach. Students will be able to develop games using either a visual or text-based programming language for online and virtual reality gaming environments. They also develop a website and use online resources market their band The Purple Spiders and will understand how to use feedback to improve their website. They will also learn and develop their programming skills to solve problems. The open-ended brief beyond task allows our students to exemplify our values of ambition, curiosity, and courage through developing their understanding of the subject area. By working in teams, they are given opportunity to further represent our values of being a community.

What skills are involved/developed through the courses?

The course builds on the visual programming techniques used in lower years, with an emphasis on how project management is used in the games development process. A range of development tools are available. Students will also learn advanced programming and marketing skills, HTML development, image manipulation and the effective presentation of documents. As students have scope to develop games of their own choice, this course will also strengthen students’ organisational skills and develop their ability to use IT tools creatively.

What sort of student do they suit and what will they get out of the courses?

Students who enjoy both problem solving; using a range of tools and independent project-based work will find this course very satisfying. Developing their own game and establishing a game company requires students to be able to visualise an idea and then be able to decompose that idea into small achievable goals. This will allow them to showcase both their technical and creative abilities. Writing their own programs requires students to be able to think logically.

For students considering reading Computer Science at public examination level, this course is excellent preparation for the project-based and collaborative approach undertaken at GCSE and A Level.