CHRISTOPHER WHITEHEAD
LANGUAGE COLLEGE AND SIXTH FORM
WELCOME TO CWLC SIXTH FORM!
ELLIOT WHITTAKER | SIXTH FORM STUDENT
I chose Computer Science as I believe it is a very employable course, especially as many jobs revolve around some form of computing. I enjoy Computer Science as it goes into the innerworkings of computers and networks and I have found an interest in Cyber Security which I am hoping to continue with my further education. I think it’s important to understand that Computer Science covers a range of different topics (programming, algorithms, hardware of computers, legal/ ethical issues) so you’re likely to find a few things that interest you.
WHY CHOOSE A-LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE?
With an emphasis on problem solving and applying computational thinking A level computer Science will develop your capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically. You will study topics covering
- The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
- Software and software development
- Exchanging data
- Data types, data structures and algorithms
- Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
- Elements of computational thinking
- Problem solving and programming
- Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms
The practical project will allow you to develop your programming skills and build a computational solution to a problem of your choice.
WHY STUDY A-LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE AT CWLC?
We follow the flipped learning approach to study, you will come to the lesson prepared for the questions and activities, this encourages independence and helps prepare for study beyond 6th form.
You will do a range of practical activities to support learning. You will have an opportunity to sample programming languages such as Python, looking at how instructions implemented at processor level with assembly language, storing and manipulating data with SQL or scripting with PHP, JavaScript and HTML.
Visits from ex-students working in a variety of areas of computing will give you an insight into the exciting opportunities beyond A level.
WHAT COULD YOU DO NEXT?
Many ex-students who have gone on to study computer science as undergraduates and continuing this to master’s degree. CWLC alumni have gone into careers in top level cyber security apprenticeships. Computer science supports other subjects at degree level including sciences and maths.