Design & Technology and Computer Science

Please watch the video below to view some of the more frequently asked questions about these subjects, then scroll down to the forum below to submit any of your own questions.

Thank you for watching.  If your question was not covered in the video, then please use the "add comment" button below to ask one of our teachers for help.  Staff will be live on the forum from 6pm to 8pm on Friday 16th October and will then be checking for questions throughout the weekend (although response times will not be as quick).  The forum will close at 4pm on Monday 19th October, after which you can email any questions to admissions@kesbath.com 

For General Enquiries: The forum below is intended for subject-specific questions.  If your query is more general, then please post it on the Admissions and General Enquiries forum and one of our admissions team or senior teachers will get back to you.

RETURN TO THE SIXTH FORM VIRTUAL OPEN EVENING WEBPAGE

Click here to access the main Subject Q&A Forum menu

Please note that any comments posted below will be visible to all users.  Although your name will not be displayed in the forum, please do not post any comments that contain personal information about you or your child

Submit your question...

Comments

  1. Hello, I am Mrs James, Head of Computing & ICT, and I am looking forward to answering your questions this evening.

    Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:9627, 16/10/2020 at 18:00

    1. How many students go on to study Comp Sci at university, and where do they go?

      Posted by Guest343, 16/10/2020 at 18:45

      1. We have had quite a few go on to study Computer Science (or one of it's offshoots) at university. Students have had places at Cambridge, St Andrews, Southampton & Swansea to name but a few.

        Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:9627, 16/10/2020 at 19:07

    2. Hello, I am Mrs Roy, Head of Design and Technology and am looking forward to answering any questions you have about A level Product Design this evening.

      Posted by Mrs M Roy, 16/10/2020 at 18:02

      1. Hi Mrs Roy, what is the format of the course? i.e proportion of course/practical work vs end of year exam? thanks

        Posted by GuestK713, 16/10/2020 at 18:39

        1. In Year 12 you will work on a number of mini projects alongside theory work. In Year 13 you will focus on your Non Examined Assessment [NEA]. This is approximately 65 hours. The NEA is equivalent to 50% of your final exam. The other 50% is made up of two examinations at the end of Y13 one is on technical principles and worth 26.7% and the other is a problem solving paper worth 23.3%.

          Posted by Mrs M Roy, 16/10/2020 at 19:13

      2. How much of a focus in the 6th form is programming?

        Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 18:22

        1. The course is split into 2 components. Unit 1 is the theory of computing, problem solving, algorithms and programming. Unit 2 comprises computer architecture, system software, networks, security & ethics. This is a similar split to GCSE Computer Science. There is also a sizeable Programming Project that is worth 20% of the marks at A Level.

          Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:9627, 16/10/2020 at 18:26

        2. What are the class sizes in the sixth form for Product Design?

          Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 18:24

          1. Class sizes have historically been quite small for Design and Technology A level. We currently have 4 pupils in total 2 boys and two girls.

            Posted by Mrs M Roy, 16/10/2020 at 18:29

          2. I haven't taken GCSE Computer Science. Will that be a barrier to me taking A Level Computer Science?

            Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 18:45

            1. While it is preferable to have studied the GCSE, we have had students successfully study A Level Computer Science who have not previously taken the GSCE. I would expect you to be at least grade 6 in Maths and be interested in programming. We can supply some bridging work for you to do in the intervening summer to get you up to speed.

              Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:9627, 16/10/2020 at 18:48

            2. In Product Design, what percentage of the A Level is based on coursework?

              Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 18:55

              1. 50% of your total A level is based on the Non Examined Assessment [NEA]. The NEA is started at the end of Year 12 and is based on a context of your own choosing.

                Posted by Mrs M Roy, 16/10/2020 at 18:59

              2. If you have any further questions about A level Product Design please leave a message below and I shall reply to them on Monday. Thank you for your time. Mrs Roy

                Posted by Mrs M Roy, 16/10/2020 at 19:59

                1. Thank you for all your questions this evening about Computer Science. Please keep them coming and I will respond to them early next week.

                  Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:9627, 16/10/2020 at 20:00