Computing Science
- Computing Twitter
The Computer Science department ethos is to provide the pupils we teach with a broad knowledge of computing, how computers work, the tasks they can be used for and the effect their use can have on society.
Courses provided will give opportunities for pupils to develop practical skills and aim to foster interest and enthusiasm for ICT in society. The department offers a pleasant and friendly atmosphere where pupils can form good relationships with their teachers and peers.
Each member of staff has their own computer laboratory, containing 20 computers for pupil use. There is also a computer linked to a projector and interactive white board for staff use.
Principal Teacher: Miss Louise Adam
Department staff: Mr Chris Sneddon
Broad General Education
These course are based on the Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes. The topics are arranged in blocks. Practical abilities are graded by the teacher from on-going observation and the work produced by each pupil. All pupils follow the same course to consolidate work done in primary school before going on to develop new skills.
Differentiated materials are available to support pupils and extend the work done by the most able pupils. The course in S3 aims to provide pupils with a broad based understanding of computing allowing an informed choice to be made at the end of S3 for further study in S4. This course supports much of the content needed and programming abilities needed for National 5 Computing Science.
Senior Phase
The Senior Phase courses are designed to prepare pupils for one of the following National Qualifications.
National 3
National 3 consists of two units:
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Building Digital Solutions
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Information Solutions.
There is no formal examination. The course is internally assessed at the end of each unit. The course is graded Pass or No Award.
National 4
National 4 consists of two units:
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Software Design and Development
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Information Systems Design and Development.
Pupils must pass all the Outcomes set for each unit to pass the qualification.
Pupils studying National 4 must also complete an Added Value Unit. The Added Value Unit consists of a project set by the SQA.
There is no formal examination. The course is internally assessed. The course is graded Pass or No Award.
National 5
National 5 consists of two units:
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Software Design and Development
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Information Systems Design and Development.
Pupils must pass all the Outcomes set for each unit to pass the qualification.
Pupils studying National 5 must also complete an assignment. The assignment consists of a project set by the SQA. It is internally assessed with the mark being sent to the SQA.
There is a formal examination. The course is graded A, B, C, D or No Award.
Higher
Higher consists of two units:
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Software Design and Development
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Information Systems Design and Development.
Pupils must pass all the Outcomes set for each unit to pass the qualification.
Pupils studying Higher must also complete an assignment. The assignment consists of a project set by the SQA. It is internally assessed with the mark being sent to the SQA.
There is a formal examination. The course is graded A, B, C, D or No Award.
Advanced Higher
Advanced Higher consists of two units:
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Software Design and Development
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Information Systems Design and Development.
Pupils must pass all the Outcomes set for each unit to pass the qualification.
Pupils studying Advanced Higher must also complete an assignment. The assignment consists of a project, which has an element of choice within SQA guidance. It is internally assessed with the mark being sent to the SQA.
There is a formal examination. The course is graded A, B, C, D or No Award.
NPA in Computer Games Development
NPA in Computer Games Development consists of two units:
- Unit 1 - Design
- Unit 2 - Media Assets
- Unit 3 - Development
Pupils must pass all the Outcomes set for each unit to pass the qualification.
There is no formal examination. The course is graded Level 4, Level 5 or Level 6.