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Computer Science, A Level

Marsh Academy, The

Station Road, New Romney, Kent, TN28 8BB

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Science and Mathematics

Available start dates

Available start dates

Sunday, 01 September 2024
The Marsh Academy
12 Term(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours
Block B

Application Instructions

Applications Open: - 14th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th April 2026

Entry Requirements: -We cater to the individual needs of each student, creating a program of study that meets their unique requirements. We offer a wide range of Level 3 qualifications, including A levels, allowing students to combine their interests with relevant courses for their future pathways. Each subject has specific entry requirements in addition to those set out below, and all students must receive a positive reference and maintain an end-of-year attendance record of 95% or higher to be offered a place in The Marsh Academy Sixth Form.

It is important to understand that all students are expected to attain a minimum of GCSE grade 4 in Mathematics and English by the time they leave school or college. Therefore, if a student has not achieved these grades, they are legally required to retake these subjects until they achieve the grade 4 or above or until they complete their programme of study.

For students unable to undertake a full Level 3 program, we offer a combination of qualifications across Level 3 and Level 2, depending on the qualifications gained in Year 11.

For students who achieve:

7+ GCSEs at grade 7+ can study four Level 3 courses.

5+ GCSEs at grade 5+ can study three Level 3 courses.

4 +GCSEs at grade 5+ can study two Level 3 courses and two Level 2 courses.

Level 3 Vocational Courses

5+ GCSEs at grade 4+ in English and maths GCSE to study three Level 3 vocation courses However, it is important to note that some Level 3 courses will have specific requirements in addition to those set out here.

This year, subjects have not been placed into fixed option blocks. Instead, they have been grouped by subject area to allow students greater flexibility in selecting the courses that best suit their interests and future goals. Once we have received students’ subject choices, we will create option blocks based on demand and subject compatibility. It is important to note that while The Marsh Academy aims to offer all courses listed in the prospectus, we do reserve the right to withdraw any course that does not attract sufficient interest. This approach ensures that our curriculum remains responsive, student-focused, and sustainable.

The Marsh Academy reserves the right to review student course offers on an individual basis.


How to apply:

Students who wish to apply for a place at the Marsh Academy Sixth Form and are currently a student at another school or college in Kent or East Sussex, must apply via the Kent Choices website application process (www.kentprospectus.co.uk). External applicants must ensure that the application is completely correctly by completing all sections of the application form in full for the application to be considered:


If you are applying from outside of Kent and are unable to register for Kent Choices, please use the external student application form which is available on the Sixth Form page of the Marsh Academy website.

Once the application has been made, we will contact you to discuss your application and invite you for interview. After the interview, conditional offers will made pending examination results. We ensure that students are kept up do date with events regarding Sixth Form during the remainder of the academic year.

On GCSE result day, students should contact the Marsh Academy with a record of GCSE results so that courses can be confirmed or adapted in line with the achieved results. Students will then attend a registration day early in September to process the required documentation.


Course Summary

Computing is an exciting course that gives you a strong understanding of how computers work and how to write your own programs. It focuses on
problem-solving, mathematical reasoning and engineering based thinking. It is a good foundation for understanding future challenges in this fast-moving technological world. The Business and Computing Department at The Marsh Academy prides itself on the excellent teaching that you will be receiving. The facilities and resources are second to none and will help you achieve your full potential. There is a clear distinction between ICT and Computing. The two courses have been written to avoid any overlap of content. Computing is about designing new algorithms to solve new problems. This course covers the technical side of Computing including ‘Programming’ and ‘Computer Architecture’.

Course Details

Computer Science is about the devices and systems that enable our digital age to exist. It is not a study of the software used every day in offices and homes around the world but more about how these systems actually work, how they do what they do, their limitations, their strengths and the astounding way we humans have adapted basic logical thinking to create such amazing tools.
Over the whole two years you will:
• Learn to program using a high level (3GL) language
• Appreciate the role of binary in storing numerical and non-numerical data
• Learn how images and sound are stored digitally
• Understand the use of logic gates and Boolean Algebra
• Grasp how software and hardware work together to form the systems of today
• Visualise how the processor works by studying the Fetch-Execute Cycle
• Know how data can be stored, sorted and searched through
• Gain an appreciation of the use of vectors within the computing field
• Learn about Finite State Machines, Regular Expressions and Language
• Extend your understanding of fundamental computing by studying Turning Machines
• Study the role of operating systems, explore networking and the way the internet works
• Become aware of the client-side and server-side languages of the web
• Understand how 4GL languages are used to manipulate data or diagnose illnesses.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

This course is 100% linear with all examinations taken at the end of year 13.
• Computer Systems (2.5 hr written paper) 40% of the final grade.
• Algorithms and Programming (2.5 hr written) 4 0% of the final grade.
• Programming Project (internal programming project) 20% of the final grade.

Entry requirements

Minimum grade 7 in Computer Science, a grade 6 in Mathematics and a grade 5 in English GCSE.

Equipment required

No specialist equipment required

Your next steps...

One can study Computing and go on to a career in medicine, law, business, politics or any type of science. However, if you decide to do a computing
related degree then this A level will be extremely useful. Some universities demand Maths A level as one of their requirements to do a Computer Science Degree (please check university website for more information).

Additional information


For more courses like this, check our courses page.