Reigate Grammar School · First Form

First Form Computing

Work through each section, test yourself, then practise with flashcards.

Year 7 · End of Year Exam Revision

Microsoft Office tools & what is a computer? ✓

Office apps, presentation design, hardware components, input/process/output

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Key Office 365 apps

App	What it does
Word	Creates and edits written documents
PowerPoint	Presentation software using slides
OneNote	Digital notebook for notes, drawings & files
OneDrive	Cloud storage — access your files anywhere
Teams	Communication — chat, video & file sharing

Good presentation design

Use short bullet points — not full paragraphs
Include one relevant image to support your message
Choose colours with good contrast (avoid clashing colours)
Fewer words on a slide = clearer message

How a computer works — Input → Process → Output

⌨️ INPUT

Keyboard, mouse, microphone, webcam, scanner, touchscreen

⚙️ PROCESS

CPU — the brain — carries out all instructions

🖥️ OUTPUT

Monitor, printer, speakers, headphones, projector, touchscreen

⚠️

Touchscreen — both input AND output You tap the screen (input) and see the response on it (output). It's the only common device that does both.

Inside the computer — hardware components

Component	What it does
RAM	Temporary memory — lost on shutdown
Hard Disk	Permanent file storage — keeps files even when off
Motherboard	Everything connects to it
CPU	The brain — runs everything
Heat Sink	Draws heat away from the CPU to keep it cool
Power Supply	Powers the machine and helps keep it cool

🔑

Software vs Hardware Software = programs you run (Word, Windows). Hardware = physical parts you can touch (CPU, RAM).

✏️ Test yourself

Question 1

Which Office app would you use to keep a digital notebook for handwritten notes, drawings and files?

Explanation

OneNote is a digital notebook for notes, drawings and files. (OneDrive is cloud storage; it keeps files but isn't a notebook.)

Question 2

Which device is BOTH an input and an output device?

Explanation

A touchscreen takes input (your tap) and shows output (the result) on the same surface — that's why it counts as both.

Question 3

Which component permanently stores files even when the computer is turned off?

Explanation

The hard disk is permanent storage — files are kept even when the power is off. RAM is temporary memory and gets wiped on shutdown.

Question 4

What is the job of a heat sink inside a computer?

Explanation

The CPU works hard and gets hot. The heat sink draws heat away to stop it overheating and breaking down.

Programming logic, Microbit & Python turtle ✓

Sequence, variables, loops, selection, subroutines, drawing shapes

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Key programming concepts

Concept	What it means
Sequence	Instructions run in order, top to bottom
Variable	Named store for a value, e.g. `score = 0`
Input	Data entered into a program (button press, text typed)
Output	Result shown to the user (display, LED, sound)
Loop / iteration	A block of code repeated a set number of times
Selection	`if` / `else` — only one branch runs based on a condition
Subroutine	A named block of code you can call whenever needed

Reading Microbit / block code — tips

Read top to bottom — instructions run in order (sequence)
"on button A pressed" is the trigger — an input event
A counter variable adds 1 to itself each time the loop runs
In if/else, only ONE branch ever executes — read the condition carefully (> means greater than, = means equal to)

Python turtle — drawing shapes

📐

360 ÷ number of sides = turning angle So a triangle (3 sides) turns 120° each time, a square (4 sides) turns 90°, a hexagon (6 sides) turns 60°.

Triangle

3 sides · turn 120°

Square

4 sides · turn 90°

Circle

range(360), turn 1°

Python turtle — key commands

Command	What it does
`import turtle`	Must appear at the top of every turtle program
`turtle.forward(100)`	Move the turtle forward 100 steps
`turtle.right(90)`	Turn the turtle right by 90 degrees
`for i in range(4):`	Repeat the indented code 4 times
`def square():`	Define a subroutine called `square`
`square()`	Call (run) the subroutine

Worked example — drawing a square

# Draw a square using a loop
import turtle
for i in range(4):           # repeat 4 times
    turtle.forward(100)        # go forward
    turtle.right(90)          # turn 90°

# Same thing as a subroutine
def square():               # define it
    for i in range(4):
        turtle.forward(100)
        turtle.right(90)

square()                  # call it (with brackets!)

✏️ Test yourself

Question 1

What is a variable in programming?

Explanation

A variable gives a name to a value so you can store, change and use it. score = 0 creates a variable called score set to 0.

Question 2

A loop runs 5 times. Each time, it adds 2 to a counter that starts at 0. What is the final value of the counter?

Explanation

The counter goes 0 → 2 → 4 → 6 → 8 → 10. Five jumps of +2 from 0.

Question 3

What angle should the turtle turn each time to draw a regular hexagon (6 sides)?

Explanation

360 ÷ 6 = 60°. Always divide 360 by the number of sides.

Question 4

What does def do in Python?

Explanation

def square(): defines the subroutine. To actually run it you must call it with square() later.

Question 5

In an if/else statement, how many of the branches will run for any given condition?

Explanation

if/else means "do this OR do that" — exactly one branch runs. The condition picks which one.

Question 6

What is the difference between defining a subroutine (def square():) and calling one (square())?

Explanation

def just creates the subroutine — it doesn't run it. You then have to call it (with brackets) to make it actually work.

Binary ✓

Why binary, conversion to denary, denary to binary, addition

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Why do computers use binary?

⚡

Computers are made of billions of tiny electrical switches. Each switch is only ever ON (1) or OFF (0) — so binary (1s and 0s) is the perfect match.

The 8-bit place value table

128	64	32	16	8	4	2	1
0/1	0/1	0/1	0/1	0/1	0/1	0/1	0/1

Worked example — binary to denary

Convert 10110100 to denary:

128	64	32	16	8	4	2	1
1	0	1	1	0	1	0	0

Add the columns where the digit is 1: 128 + 32 + 16 + 4 = 180

Denary to binary — the method

Write out the 8 headings (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1)
Does 128 fit into your number? Yes → write 1, subtract. No → write 0
Move right to 64 and repeat with the remainder
Continue until the 1s column — your row of 1s and 0s is the binary answer

Binary addition — the four rules

0 + 0

= 0

1 + 0

= 1

1 + 1

= 10
(write 0, carry 1)

1 + 1 + 1

= 11
(write 1, carry 1)

Worked example — binary addition

Add 00110011 + 01010101:

carry		1	1		1
number 1	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	1
number 2	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	1
answer	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0

Check in denary: 51 + 37 = 88 ✓

Key terms

Term	Meaning
Binary	Base 2 — uses only 0 and 1
Denary	Base 10 — our normal number system (0–9)
Bit	A single binary digit (0 or 1)
8-bit	A group of 8 bits — can represent 0 to 255

✏️ Test yourself

Question 1

How many different digits are used in binary?

Explanation

Binary uses only two digits, 0 and 1, because computers are made of switches that are either off (0) or on (1).

Question 2

Convert 0110 1010 to denary.

Explanation

The 1s are in columns 64, 32, 8 and 2: 64 + 32 + 8 + 2 = 106.

Question 3

Convert the denary number 50 into 8-bit binary.

Explanation

50 = 32 + 16 + 2. So the 32, 16 and 2 columns are 1: 0011 0010.

Question 4

When you add 1 + 1 in binary, what do you write down?

Explanation

1 + 1 = 10 in binary. So you write 0 in that column and carry the 1 into the next column to the left.

Question 5

Add these in binary: 0001 0010 + 0000 0011. What is the answer?

Explanation

Check in denary: 18 + 3 = 21. 0001 0101 = 16 + 4 + 1 = 21. ✓

Question 6

What is the value of the leftmost (highest) bit in an 8-bit binary number?

Explanation

The 8-bit place values from left to right are 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1. The leftmost bit is worth 128.

Cybersecurity ✓

Phishing, passwords, public WiFi, oversharing online

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Key threats to know

🎣

Phishing A fake email or message designed to steal your login or personal information. Clues: urgent or threatening tone, spelling mistakes, suspicious links, sender address looks odd.

🔓

Weak password Short or obvious passwords are easy to guess or crack with automated tools. Avoid names, pets, dates and common words like "password".

📡

Public WiFi On a shared public network, others may be able to intercept data you send and receive. Watching videos = low risk. Logging into personal accounts = high risk.

📸

Oversharing online Posting your school uniform, your location, or your daily routine lets strangers identify and track you — even if you think your profile is private.

Spotting a phishing email

📧

"URGENT!! Your account has been SUSPENDED! Click here IMMEDIATELY or it will be permanently deleted!!!"

⚠ Urgency and panic — real companies don't threaten you like this
⚠ Excessive capitals and exclamation marks
⚠ Vague — doesn't say which account or what happened
⚠ Pressures you to click a link — always check the URL first

What makes a strong password?

A strong password uses all four of these ingredients:

Aa

UPPERCASE letters

aa

lowercase letters

12

Numbers (0–9)

!@

Symbols ! @ # $ %

💪

Example strong password: H@7k!92Lp# Long · random · no real words · all four types

Password strength comparison

Password	Strength
`summer2024`	Weak — real word + year, easy to guess
`RGS123`	Weak — short, predictable, no symbols
`H@7k!92Lp#`	Strong — long, random, all four types
`password1`	Weak — the most commonly used password!

Staying safe — key rules

Never share your password — not with friends, not with anyone
Avoid logging into personal accounts on public WiFi
Don't post photos showing your school, location or daily routine
Urgent or strange email? Almost certainly phishing — don't click any links
Use a different password for different accounts — if one leaks, others stay safe

✏️ Test yourself

Question 1

Which characteristic makes a password the most secure?

Explanation

A strong password is long and uses all four ingredients: uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols. Real words and short passwords are easy to crack.

Question 2

A real bank email is most likely to:

Explanation

Real companies address you properly and don't pressure you with urgent links. The other three options are all classic phishing warning signs.

Question 3

Why is it a bad idea to use the same password for every account?

Explanation

If one site has a data leak, attackers will try the same password on your other accounts. Using a different password per account stops a single leak from affecting everything.

Question 4

Which is a low-risk activity to do on public café WiFi?

Explanation

Watching videos doesn't expose any personal info. Anything that involves logging in or sending account details is high risk on public WiFi.

Question 5

What does "oversharing online" mean?

Explanation

Oversharing means posting things like your school, location, daily routine, or photos in uniform — information strangers can use to find or follow you.

Question 6

You receive an unexpected email asking you to click a link. What is the FIRST thing you should check?

Explanation

A fake "from" address is the biggest giveaway of phishing. Look at the sender carefully — does it really come from the school / bank / company it claims to?

✨

Reinforce what you've learned

Optional · Listen, watch, and review the slides

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🎯

These are for reinforcement Listen to the podcast on the way to school. Watch the video before bed. Look over the slides any time. No notes needed — just notice how much you recognise now.

🎧 Podcast — How Human Psychology Breaks Machine Logic

A short audio explainer linking everyday human behaviour to the digital safety topics you've learned.

🎬 Video — First Form Exam Blitz

A short film recapping everything you need for the exam.

📑 Slides

Slide deck reviewing the key concepts. Opens full screen with a back button.

RevisionHub

First Form Computing

Key Office 365 apps

Good presentation design

How a computer works — Input → Process → Output

⌨️ INPUT

⚙️ PROCESS

🖥️ OUTPUT

Inside the computer — hardware components

Key programming concepts

Reading Microbit / block code — tips

Python turtle — drawing shapes

Triangle

Square

Circle

Python turtle — key commands

Worked example — drawing a square

Why do computers use binary?

The 8-bit place value table

Worked example — binary to denary

Denary to binary — the method

Binary addition — the four rules

0 + 0

1 + 0

1 + 1

1 + 1 + 1

Worked example — binary addition

Key terms

Key threats to know

Spotting a phishing email

What makes a strong password?

Aa

aa

12

!@

Password strength comparison

Staying safe — key rules

🎧 Podcast — How Human Psychology Breaks Machine Logic

🎬 Video — First Form Exam Blitz

📑 Slides