← AQA GCSE Computer Science program
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AQA GCSE Computer Science — Full Lesson Plan

Exam-prep lessons mapped to every point of the AQA 8525 specification. Taught in AQA pseudo-code and Python, with worked examples, key terms and real exam-style practice for both papers.

All unitsPaper 1 · Unit 1 · Spec 3.1Paper 1 · Unit 2 · Spec 3.2Paper 2 · Unit 3 · Spec 3.3Paper 2 · Unit 4 · Spec 3.4Paper 2 · Unit 5 · Spec 3.5Paper 2 · Unit 6 · Spec 3.6Paper 2 · Unit 7 · Spec 3.7Paper 2 · Unit 8 · Spec 3.8
82
Lessons written
8
Units
📝 Exam prep
Paper 1 · Unit 1 · Spec 3.1

Fundamentals of algorithms

6 lessonsSpec 3.1Paper 1🗺️ Syllabus↗ Open lessons
CodeLessonTypeMilestone
AAlgorithms6 lessons
CS-L1-01Representing AlgorithmsDecomposition, abstraction, AQA pseudo-code and flowcharts.
CS-L1-02Trace TablesFollow an algorithm step by step and record every variable.
CS-L1-03Efficiency of AlgorithmsCounting steps — why one algorithm beats another.
CS-L1-04Searching — Linear & BinaryTwo ways to find a value in a list.
CS-L1-05Sorting — Bubble & MergeTwo classic ways to put a list in order.
CS-L1-06Unit 1 Review & Exam PrepRecap every spec point and practise exam questions.Review📝 Exam prep
Paper 1 · Unit 2 · Spec 3.2

Programming

15 lessonsSpec 3.2Paper 1🗺️ Syllabus↗ Open lessons
CodeLessonTypeMilestone
AData & variables2 lessons
CS-L2-01Data TypesInteger, real, Boolean, character, string — and casting.
CS-L2-02Variables & ConstantsNamed stores that change, and values that don't.
BControl flow2 lessons
CS-L2-03SelectionIF / ELSE IF / ELSE and nested decisions.
CS-L2-04Iteration — LoopsCount- and condition-controlled loops (FOR, WHILE, REPEAT).
COperators2 lessons
CS-L2-05Arithmetic Operations+ − * / and integer division DIV & MOD.
CS-L2-06Relational & Boolean OperationsComparisons and AND / OR / NOT.
DData structures2 lessons
CS-L2-07Arrays — 1-D & 2-DIndexed collections of items of the same type.
CS-L2-08RecordsGroup related fields of different types.
EInput, output & strings2 lessons
CS-L2-09Input, Output & Random NumbersUSERINPUT, OUTPUT and RANDOM_INT.
CS-L2-10String HandlingLength, substring, position, concatenation, case, char codes.
FSubroutines & structure2 lessons
CS-L2-11Subroutines — Procedures & FunctionsReusable named blocks, parameters and return values.
CS-L2-12Scope & Structured ProgrammingLocal vs global variables; modular design.
GRobust & secure programming3 lessons
CS-L2-13Validation & AuthenticationCheck input is sensible; confirm identity.
CS-L2-14Testing & Test DataNormal, boundary and erroneous data; error types.
CS-L2-15Unit 2 Review & Exam PrepRecap every spec point and practise exam questions.Review📝 Exam prep
Paper 2 · Unit 3 · Spec 3.3

Fundamentals of data representation

11 lessonsSpec 3.3Paper 2🗺️ Syllabus↗ Open lessons
CodeLessonTypeMilestone
ANumber bases & conversion3 lessons
CS-L3-01Number BasesDenary, binary and hexadecimal — and why each is used.
CS-L3-02Binary ↔ Denary ConversionThe place-value method, both directions.
CS-L3-03Hexadecimal & ConversionsNibbles, and binary / denary ↔ hex.
BUnits & binary arithmetic3 lessons
CS-L3-04Units of InformationBit, nibble, byte, kB, MB, GB, TB.
CS-L3-05Binary AdditionAdding bytes — carrying and overflow.
CS-L3-06Binary ShiftsLogical shifts that multiply and divide by 2.
CEncoding text, images & sound3 lessons
CS-L3-07Character EncodingASCII and Unicode character codes.
CS-L3-08Representing ImagesPixels, resolution, colour depth, file size.
CS-L3-09Representing SoundSampling, sample rate, bit depth, file size.
DCompression & review2 lessons
CS-L3-10Data CompressionLossy vs lossless; RLE and Huffman coding.
CS-L3-11Unit 3 Review & Exam PrepRecap every spec point and practise exam questions.Review📝 Exam prep
Paper 2 · Unit 4 · Spec 3.4

Computer systems

10 lessonsSpec 3.4Paper 2🗺️ Syllabus↗ Open lessons
CodeLessonTypeMilestone
AHardware, software & logic3 lessons
CS-L4-01Hardware & SoftwareThe physical parts and the programs — and how they depend on each other.
CS-L4-02Boolean Logic — Gates & Truth TablesAND, OR and NOT gates, their symbols and truth tables.
CS-L4-03Logic CircuitsCombine gates; work out a circuit's output and expression.
BSoftware & languages2 lessons
CS-L4-04Software ClassificationSystem vs application; the OS and utility software.
CS-L4-05Programming Languages & TranslatorsLow/high level; assembler, compiler, interpreter.
CSystems architecture3 lessons
CS-L4-06The CPU & Von Neumann ArchitectureALU, control unit, registers and cache.
CS-L4-07Fetch–Decode–Execute CycleHow the CPU runs instructions; the key registers.
CS-L4-08CPU PerformanceClock speed, cores and cache.
DMemory, storage & review2 lessons
CS-L4-09Memory & StorageRAM vs ROM; magnetic, optical and solid-state storage.
CS-L4-10Unit 4 Review & Exam PrepRecap every spec point and practise exam questions.Review📝 Exam prep
Paper 2 · Unit 5 · Spec 3.5

Fundamentals of computer networks

10 lessonsSpec 3.5Paper 2🗺️ Syllabus↗ Open lessons
CodeLessonTypeMilestone
ANetworks & topologies3 lessons
CS-L5-01Networks & Network TypesWhat a network is; advantages/disadvantages; PAN, LAN and WAN.
CS-L5-02Wired & Wireless NetworksCables vs radio waves; factors affecting network performance.
CS-L5-03Network TopologiesThe star and bus layouts — and their trade-offs.
BThe internet & hardware2 lessons
CS-L5-04Network HardwareNIC, switch, router, WAP and transmission media.
CS-L5-05The Internet, DNS & the CloudHow the internet finds things; hosting and the cloud.
CProtocols & layers3 lessons
CS-L5-06Network ProtocolsTCP, IP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP and IMAP.
CS-L5-07The TCP/IP 4-Layer ModelApplication, transport, internet and link layers.
CS-L5-08Packet SwitchingPackets, headers, and routing data across the internet.
DSecurity & review2 lessons
CS-L5-09Encryption & Network SecurityPlaintext, ciphertext, keys, and securing data in transit.
CS-L5-10Unit 5 Review & Exam PrepRecap every spec point and practise exam questions.Review📝 Exam prep
Paper 2 · Unit 6 · Spec 3.6

Cyber security

10 lessonsSpec 3.6Paper 2🗺️ Syllabus↗ Open lessons
CodeLessonTypeMilestone
AThreats — people & malware3 lessons
CS-L6-01Cyber Security & ThreatsWhat cyber security is and the main threat types.
CS-L6-02Social EngineeringBlagging, phishing, pharming and shouldering.
CS-L6-03MalwareVirus, worm, trojan, ransomware and spyware.
BTechnical attacks3 lessons
CS-L6-04Brute-Force & Password AttacksGuessing passwords; weak and default password risks.
CS-L6-05Denial of Service & Data InterceptionFlooding a service offline; sniffing data in transit.
CS-L6-06SQL InjectionAttacking a database through an input box.
CDetection & prevention3 lessons
CS-L6-07Penetration TestingAuthorised attacks to find weaknesses first; white vs black box.
CS-L6-08Identifying & Authenticating UsersPasswords, biometrics, CAPTCHA, email confirmation and 2FA.
CS-L6-09Protecting SystemsAnti-malware, firewalls, access levels, encryption, updates, physical security.
DReview1 lesson
CS-L6-10Unit 6 Review & Exam PrepRecap every spec point and practise exam questions.Review📝 Exam prep
Paper 2 · Unit 7 · Spec 3.7

Relational databases & SQL

10 lessonsSpec 3.7Paper 2🗺️ Syllabus↗ Open lessons
CodeLessonTypeMilestone
ARelational concepts3 lessons
CS-L7-01Databases & Flat FilesWhat a database is; redundancy and inconsistency.
CS-L7-02Relational DatabasesTables, records and fields.
CS-L7-03Primary & Foreign KeysUniquely identifying records and linking tables.
BSQL — retrieving data4 lessons
CS-L7-04SQL: SELECT & FROMRetrieving chosen columns, or all with *.
CS-L7-05SQL: WHERE & Logical OperatorsFiltering rows; AND, OR and comparisons.
CS-L7-06SQL: Wildcards with LIKEPattern matching with % and _.
CS-L7-07SQL: ORDER BYSorting results ascending and descending.
CInserting & combining2 lessons
CS-L7-08SQL: INSERT INTOAdding a new record with matching values.
CS-L7-09Building Complete QueriesCombine SELECT, WHERE, LIKE and ORDER BY.
DReview1 lesson
CS-L7-10Unit 7 Review & Exam PrepRecap every spec point and practise exam questions.Review📝 Exam prep
Paper 2 · Unit 8 · Spec 3.8

Ethical, legal & environmental impacts

10 lessonsSpec 3.8Paper 2🗺️ Syllabus↗ Open lessons
CodeLessonTypeMilestone
AIssues & frameworks3 lessons
CS-L8-01Impacts of Technology — The Big PictureThe five impact lenses and stakeholders.
CS-L8-02Privacy & Personal DataHow data is collected; benefits vs privacy risks.
CS-L8-03Ethical & Cultural IssuesDigital divide, misinformation, bias and censorship.
BUK legislation4 lessons
CS-L8-04The Data Protection Act 2018Controlling personal data; the key principles.
CS-L8-05The Computer Misuse Act 1990Hacking and malware as criminal offences.
CS-L8-06Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988Protecting creative work; infringement.
CS-L8-07Software LicensingOpen source versus proprietary software.
CEnvironment & evaluation2 lessons
CS-L8-08Environmental ImpactsE-waste, energy use and responsible computing.
CS-L8-09Emerging Technology & Extended ResponsesAI, autonomous vehicles, wearables; how to answer 'Discuss'.
DReview1 lesson
CS-L8-10Unit 8 Review & Exam PrepRecap every spec point and practise exam questions.Review📝 Exam prep
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