Combined Science GCSE

Child Development

This qualification will help students to develop their independence and confidence using skills that would be relevant to the Childcare sector. It provides students with knowledge, understanding and practical skills that will allow them to help and support children in their care, starting from preconception through to children aged birth to five years.

The three modules that will be studied throughout this course are:

Unit R057: Health and well-being for child development (exam)

This unit focuses on the importance of pre-conception health and reproduction, antenatal care and preparation for birth. The unit also covers postnatal care and the conditions in which a child can thrive.

Unit R058: Create a safe environment and understand the nutritional needs of children from birth to five years (coursework)

This unit focuses on how to create a safe environment for children from birth to five years in childcare settings. Students will research and choose equipment that is suitable and safe for use and will learn about children’s nutrition and dietary needs.

Unit R059: Understand the development of a child from one to five years (coursework)

In this unit students will learn the physical, intellectual and social developmental norms for children from one to five years. They will understand the importance of creating plans and providing different play activities to support children in their development.

Exam Board: OCR

How is the course assesed?

60% coursework- this includes two assignments

40% exam- this includes one written paper

Computer Science GCSE

The Computer Science GCSE give students an in-depth understanding of how computer technology works. It offers an insight into what goes on ‘behind the scenes’, including a significant amount of computer programming, which many students find absorbing.

Suitable Candidates

Are you interested in learning about how children develop? How to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children?

Are you considering a career working with children in the childcare sector? This course will suit you if you want to progress onto other care related study, such as qualifications in Childcare or Health and Social Care. This course will suit those who work x+y= better through completing coursework and taking part in role-play rather than sitting exams

Post 16 Progression

Routes

Students will be learning about: • computer systems, including hardware and software • the fundamentals of IT systems, networks and the internet • current and emerging technologies • ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns • computational thinking, algorithms and programming • the programming design process A significant part of the course is spent developing and programming systems to solve problems. This means students must be prepared to invest time and effort into mastering the basics of writing solid code. The students will have access to a wide variety of software to develop and advance their skills and knowledge. The main programming language used at school is Python.

Level 2 or Level 3 OCR Cambridge Technicals in Health and Social Care

T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Childcare

Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

Access to A Levels or apprenticeships This course will enable students to develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills. For many it will be a fun and interesting way to develop these skills, which can be transferred to other subjects and applied to daily life.

Exam Board: OCR

How the course is assessed

Assessment is at the end of Year 11, through two written exams. Each is 1 hour and 30 minutes and worth 80 marks, 50% of the GCSE.

In addition, there is a 20 hour Programming Project which all students must complete.

Suitable Candidates

This course would suit students interested in computers and computer programming. Students must be proficient and confident with mathematics and have a wider interest in the technical aspects of computing.

Students who may find the mathematical aspects of computer science a challenge should consider opting for Creative iMedia.

Post 16 Progression Routes

• AS, A Level and BTEC Level 3

Computer Science and Information

Technology qualifications (not a pre-requisite). • Students wanting to go on to higher study and/or employment in the field of computer science or engineering will find that this course provides a superb basis on which to apply

Student Comments

“Computer Science has helped me become more independent when solving problems”

“Since starting Computing GCSE I’ve learned to write code to a much deeper level than before.”