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Year 10
AQA

Programming project: iteration I

I can use a project brief to plan a program using flowcharts.

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New
New
Year 10
AQA

Programming project: iteration I

I can use a project brief to plan a program using flowcharts.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The logical flow of a program is described step by step, showing the sequence of actions, decisions, and outcomes.
  2. Implementation involves writing and structuring code to match a planned design.

Keywords

  • Decomposition - breaking down a problem into smaller parts to make the task more manageable

  • Pre-condition loops - a loop that checks its condition at the start before any code inside the loop is run

  • Post-condition loop - a loop that runs its code first, then checks the condition at the end to decide if it should repeat

Common misconception

I don’t need to follow the project brief to draw a flowchart.

The project brief gives you the purpose and requirements of the program. A flowchart must reflect those to show how the program will work step by step.


To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: Programming project: iteration I, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Model how to break the project brief into smaller parts using decomposition. Show how each part becomes a section of the flowchart.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Code in this lesson is made using Python. Code examples use the RPF Code Editor but any Python IDE is suitable.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does it mean for a program to be robust?
It runs quickly.
It uses fewer resources.
Correct answer: It handles errors without crashing.
It has a user-friendly interface.
Q2.
Which of the following is an example of exception handling?
Correct answer: using try and except blocks
writing clean code
adding comments to code
optimising program speed
Q3.
Why is exception handling important in programming?
It ensures that the program runs faster.
It makes the code easier to write.
It improves the program’s visuals.
Correct answer: It prevents the program from crashing due to errors.
Q4.
Which keyword is used in Python to handle exceptions?
Correct answer: except
handle
error
catch
Q5.
What is a common method to test the robustness of a program?
writing more code
running the program on different devices
Correct answer: providing unexpected inputs to see how the program handles them
using only valid inputs during testing
Q6.
What Python statement is used to handle a specific exception, such as a value error?
Correct Answer: except ValueError:

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When you are designing a program, what does a project brief provide?
Correct answer: the purpose and requirements of the program
the program’s flowchart
the program’s code
the expected runtime of the program
Q2.
What term describes breaking a problem into smaller, more manageable parts in programming?
Correct Answer: decomposition, decomposing
Q3.
Correctly order the steps in a pre-condition loop’s execution:
1 - Check the loop condition.
2 - Run the code inside the loop.
3 - Repeat if the condition is True.
Q4.
What is used to visually represent the logical flow of a program, including actions, decisions and outcomes?
Correct Answer: flowchart, flow chart
Q5.
Why is it necessary to follow the project brief for a program when designing the program's flowchart?
It ensures that the flowchart is visually appealing.
Correct answer: It ensures that the flowchart reflects the program's purpose and requirements.
It reduces the time needed to draw the flowchart.
It allows the flowchart to include extra features not required by the program.
Q6.
Match each keyword to its correct definition or description:
Correct Answer:decomposition,breaking down a problem into smaller, manageable parts

breaking down a problem into smaller, manageable parts

Correct Answer:pre-condition loop,a loop that checks its condition at the start before running the code

a loop that checks its condition at the start before running the code

Correct Answer:post-condition loop,a loop that runs its code first, then checks the condition

a loop that runs its code first, then checks the condition

Correct Answer:validation,ensuring that input data is correct and appropriate

ensuring that input data is correct and appropriate

Correct Answer:robust,a program that handles errors or unexpected inputs without crashing

a program that handles errors or unexpected inputs without crashing