National 5 Computing Science What is this website?
This site contains lesson notes, key facts, and practice questions for the National 5 Computing Science course at James Gillespie's High School. It is designed for pupils to use independently. Each lesson page covers one topic from the course specification — with notes, worked examples, and questions pupils can check themselves. Pupils can work through any page at any time to review a topic or test their own understanding.
What your child is studying
The course is taught over two years. The content differs between S3 and S4.
Three units this year
- Computer Systems How computers store and process data — including binary, processor components, and memory.
- Database Design & Development Designing and querying databases using SQL.
- Web Design & Development Building web pages using HTML and CSS.
One new unit, plus revision
- Software Design & Development Programming concepts, algorithms, and the software development process — the largest unit in the course, introduced for the first time in S4.
- Revision of S3 units All three S3 units are revisited and consolidated in preparation for the May exam.
How the course is assessed
There are two assessed components. Together they make up the full N5 grade.
Question paper
Sat in the May exam diet. Covers all four units. Section 1 is mandatory; pupils then choose between a database section or a web design section for Section 2.
Assignment
Completed under supervised conditions in school, typically after the February half-term. Pupils produce a short program, a database, or a website. They may refer to their own notes during the assignment.
What you can do at home
The JGHS Revision Lab has detailed guidance on how to support revision at home — including what the evidence says actually works, and what to avoid. The advice there applies directly to Computing Science.
Visit the JGHS Revision Lab →Questions worth trying
You do not need to know the answers to these. The point is to get your child talking through the material out loud — one of the most effective revision techniques there is.
- "Can you explain what RAM does — without looking at your notes?"
- "What's the difference between an interpreter and a compiler?"
- "Walk me through what happens when you search a database."
- "What unit are you on at the moment, and what's the hardest part of it?"
- "Have you tried the practice questions at the bottom of that lesson page?"
Progress information
Progress in Computing Science is reported through the school's regular written reporting cycle. These reports are the main way we share information about how your child is getting on. If you have questions following a report, the school's standard contact routes are the right place to start.