Computer Science AS Level

Applications Open: - 13th October 2025

Applications Close: - 18th November 2025

How to Apply: - Please apply directly to the school via our website www.twggs.kent.sch.uk. Follow the route 'Joining TWGGS', 'Joining The Sixth Form' to complete your application on Applicaa. For enquiries please contact admissions@twggs.kent.sch.uk.

We don't accept applications through Kent Choices.

Entry Requirements: - Entrance Criteria

Pupils entering the Sixth Form will be expected to have attained an average overall GCSE point score of at least 6 from their top 6 subjects. They must also achieve a minimum of a grade 5 in either English Language or Mathematics and a grade 4 in the other of English Language or Mathematics, and are usually expected to achieve at least a grade 7 in the subjects they wish to pursue at A level (or related subjects, as agreed by the school). In addition, pupils wishing to take Art or Design Technology will be expected to submit a portfolio of artwork and pupils wishing to take Music will be expected to have reached at least Grade 5 in their instrument or voice.

Offers will be made on the basis of predicted performance at GCSE, with the requirement that the above grades are achieved in the final examinations prior to entry to the Sixth Form and the pupil’s 3 or 4 chosen subjects being accommodated on the timetable, with no group size exceeding its maximum number of pupils.

All offers made during Year 11 are conditional on pupils meeting the grade criteria specified and will only become firm offers upon confirmation of actual GCSE results.

This is a one year course with examination in the summer of the Lower Sixth as as AS Level.

Computer Science is about problem solving, designing solutions and programming. The main emphasis is on computational thinking skills; a process of producing generalised solutions to open ended problems. The critical thinking skills can be applied to a wide range of real-world problems. Computer Science will support further studies in Science, Engineering and Mathematics as well as being an exciting field of study in its own right.

The OCR AS Level Computer Science is split into two components:

1. Computing Principles
2. Algorithms and problem solving

This component will introduce learners to the internal working of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the exchange of data and will also look at software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. It is expected that the learner will draw on this underpinning content when studying computational thinking and developing programming techniques.

1.1 The Characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices

1.2 Software and software development

1.3 Exchanging data

1.4 Data types, data structures and algorithms

1.5 Legal, moral, ethical and cultural issues

Component 2 - Algorithms and Problem Solving

Computing Principles. Written paper, duration 1hr 15mins. Marks 70. Weighting 50%

Algorithms and problem solving. Written paper, duration 1hr 15mins. Marks 70. Weighting 50%