Navigating Changes in Computing Education: CAS Computing Leads Meeting Recap - Secondary TC Meeting

If you were unable to join us for the CAS Computing Leads thematic community meeting on 28th January 2025, don’t worry! You can catch up on all the key discussions and access relevant resources below.

Key Takeaways

1. Changes to OCR Examinations: Updates on upcoming modifications to the OCR computing qualifications were discussed.

2. NCCE Update: The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) will continue beyond April 2025 but with a reduced scope.

3. CyberFirst Schools Programme: Insight into how schools can gain accreditation and support for embedding cyber security education.

4. Supporting Low Attaining Students: A look at how Smart Revise can help students who struggle with computing concepts.

5. Upcoming CAS Opportunities: Future events, training, and resources for computing teachers were highlighted.

Understanding the Changes in Computing Education

The meeting opened with a warm welcome from Johnny Palmer, CAS Community Leader for the Three Counties and NCCE Hub Lead for the West Midlands. The agenda focused on key updates relevant to computing teachers, particularly those leading the subject in their schools.

First up was a discussion on OCR examination changes, addressing the evolving landscape of assessment in computing qualifications. While specifics were not detailed in the session, teachers were encouraged to stay informed about updates that may impact their students.

The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) provided a significant update regarding its future. The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a reduction in funding, leading to the closure of Computing Hubs in England by 31st March 2025. However, the programme will continue under STEM Learning, with CPD opportunities still available online and a limited residential offer in York. Teachers were advised to take advantage of current hub-based CPD before the changes take effect.

A key focus of the session was the CyberFirst Schools Programme, which supports schools in embedding cyber security education. The programme offers a tiered accreditation system—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—based on a school’s commitment to cyber security. Schools benefit from links to industry experts, work experience opportunities for students, and free CPD. The importance of cyber security education in preparing students for future careers was a central theme of this discussion.

Addressing challenges in computing education, the meeting explored how Smart Revise can support students with lower prior attainment. The tool helps with spaced retrieval practice, ensuring that key concepts are reinforced over time, and was highlighted as a useful resource for differentiation in the classroom.

The session closed with a reminder of upcoming CAS events and opportunities. Teachers were encouraged to explore CPD courses before the NCCE transition, engage with CyberFirst initiatives, and take advantage of resources such as the “I Belong” programme, which promotes diversity in computing.

Next Steps: Reflecting on Your Practice

As computing educators, how can we adapt to these changes and continue providing high-quality education? Here are some key questions to consider:

• How will the changes to OCR examinations impact your curriculum planning?

• With the transition in NCCE funding, how can you make the most of CPD opportunities before March 2025?

• Does your school integrate cyber security into computing lessons? If not, could the CyberFirst programme offer support?

• What strategies do you use to support lower-attaining students in computing?

• How can you ensure computing remains accessible and engaging for all students?

To put these ideas into practice, consider:

✅ Reviewing the CyberFirst Schools Programme and assessing whether your school could apply.

✅ Exploring the latest NCCE CPD before March 2025.

✅ Using retrieval-based tools like Smart Revise to support students who struggle with computing concepts.

✅ Encouraging students, especially girls, to engage with initiatives such as “I Belong” or the CyberFirst Girls Competition.

Further Resources

For those who want to delve deeper into the topics discussed, here are some useful links:

🔗 CAS Conference: CAS Conference 2025

🔗 SCARI Report on Computing Education: SCARI Report

🔗 CyberFirst Schools Programme: CyberFirst Schools

🔗 National Centre for Computing Education: Teach Computing

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