Python Programming Guide for KS4 (Py3)

An excellent resource which any school using Python would be well advised to purchase. P Chapman, HoD & Independent Reviewer

The perfect companion for any KS4 student learning to program using Python – including those studying GCSE Computer Science.

Chapter list:
  1. Numbers and Basic Operations
  2. Values, Variables and Expression
  3. Data Types
  4. Functions
  5. Control Structures
  6. Lists
  7. Working with Files
  8. Classes
  9. Dealing with Errors

Broken into nine chapters, each containing:

  • Student-friendly explanations interspersed with annotated example code snippets; packed with hints and tips throughout!
  • Extensive end-of-chapter student exercises:
  1. Programming challenges test students' problem-solving skills in a progressive manner
  2. Questions get students thinking about programming theory and Python code
  • Plus 'What you will learn', 'What you should already know' and 'Keyword' overviews

Also includes:
  • Practice controlled assessment-style task with full exemplar solution
  • Model solutions to all exercises in both paper and electronic (.py) formats
  • Glossary of key terms
Provides everything that a teacher new to teaching programming needs to get started and be confident in teaching programming...Clear and easy to follow, it covers everything the pupils need to know and at a price that allows me to give every pupil their own copy... It gives clear explanations of terminology and provides a wide range of exercises and projects at different levels with solutions. E Grant, Head of ICT & customer
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What do teachers say about this resource? (5083)

An excellent resource with clear explanations and a good range of practice tasks with solutions. I purchased the editable version too which means it can be adapted for pupils and staff... Both pupils and staff can use it to learn Python. The answers can be readily used in the electronic version and will aid differentiation.

E Grant, Head of ICT, customer

A fantastic resource. This would be useful to be given to students in lessons or for independent study... The layout is very good, with the theory behind the coding covered in each section... Using this resource, pupils would be able to improve their skills and achieve the required level of skill to create their controlled assessment piece.

A Sanders, Teacher & Reviewer

A great resource for anyone wanting to learn and/or teach the Python programming language. [The resource] has pretty much every thing that you need to set a major programming project / terms work...This resource includes plenty of assessment opportunities with the questions and the end of each section and if the students follow the practical activities as they go through, enabling them and the teacher to check and build on their learning as they use it...The layout is good as there is just the right amount of information on a page so that students do not feel daunted when they are asked to work through a number of pages, in fact they should feel confident as they will be able to see fast they get through it when they apply themselves...This is a flexible resource and depending on the specification could be used thoroughly or just dipped into as and when needed. It should work very well with any specification that requires and element of programming...I will be recommending this to the school and other teachers/non teachers that may be interested in using Python.

R Jackson, HoD & Independent Reviewer

This is a well structured resource that we have been able to use without adaptation. There is a great pathway for students to build and embed their knowledge.

I particularly like this resource because… It can be broken down into lessons and blocks for teaching.

The cost is tiny compared to the hours it could take to make.

It matches the specification really well with clear mapping to the spec (AQA GCSE)

S Rogers, HoD & Customer

The resource is very good. It contain programming activities that will be invaluable when we complete the coursework activities.

The learning curve is pitched right for my students. I have a mixed ability class so I can guide the lower ability students through the guide but it is also well written enough to allow others to progress alone. Having coding examples allows me to clearly show coding structure.

I am a non-specialist computer scientist so it shows me the level of coding I will need to complete assignments. It has put my mind at rest as some teachers may find the teaching of such a subject daunting.

M Sidell, HoD & Customer

Excellent well laid out resource which supports ICT leaders new to programming in developing their skills as well as providing resources for pupils.

It gives clear explanations of terminology and provides a wide range of exercises and projects at different levels with solutions.

This resource provides everything that a teacher new to teaching programming needs to get started and be confident in teaching programming.

E Grant, HoD & Customer

Very good resource. Clear explanations with a good structure to the learning of features of Python.

I particularly like this resource because… All elements are fully explained then exercises are set to reinforce learning.

It is a value for money resource. Students of different abilities are able to access learning at an individual pace.

H J Clement, HoD & Customer

Very beneficial to teaching the course. It has clearly explained concepts and provided activities. It has both the explanation and activities to practice skills learned.

J Flynn, Teacher & Customer

Very clear and well laid out.

I particularly like this resource because…
There are solutions given for each task plus theory notes with each section.

T Coldwell, Teacher & Customer

It is written in a style that is suitable for key stage 4 students, the examples and questions would also be understandable for this age group. This resource contains all the essentials for a programming manual...The questions at the end of each topic can be used by the teacher to differentiate the learning process, by reserving the more difficult questions for the most able students. All the main aspects of Python have been included with examples, which make this an excellent reference manual for a student taking GCSE Computer Science...The consistent layout was useful for a teacher as in each topic there was an explanation, some examples and some questions with model answers. The topics were in the order expected for a programming language, starting with basic data definitions and working up to more complicated areas such as SQL databases, classes and error detection & correction.

P Chapman - HoD, Independent Reviewer