Pearson to launch new 'next generation' Computing Science GCSE in September 2012
We're pleased to announce our plans to launch a 'next generation' Computing Science GCSE from September 2012.
We've already been working for several months on the course design with some of the world’s leading technology companies and other experts. If the new course goes well, it could be made available to all schools.
We're also developing a BTEC course for schools and colleges in Information and Creative Technology that includes study of games design and the principles of programming.
Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, has commented on the new qualification and on the issue of Computing Science being included in the English Baccalaureate:
“The Next Generation report made it abundantly clear that computing skills are crucial to the UK’s economic success.
“In the age of the laptop and the smartphone, it should be obvious to all of us in education that young people want to be able to develop their own software, write their own programs and turn those ideas into great technology companies. We need to give them the basics to go on and study computing and get jobs in the technology sector.
“Pearson is therefore planning to work with the brightest and best in the computing world to develop a 'next generation' Computing Science GCSE.
“There is even a good case for including computer science in the English Baccalaureate. While many other subjects are just as important, like it or not, computing skills are going to be integral to nearly every industry in the very near future.”
We'll also be reviewing the existing Edexcel GCSE ICT qualifications, and will take advantage of the new freedoms the government is proposing to make sure that the course is updated with the latest technology developments.
Rod Bristow added: “We also want to help teachers up their computer skills. Many schools already do a great job enthusing their pupils about technology, thanks to the work of innovative teachers.
“There are already some great free resources online to help teachers maximise the power of technology in their teaching, and Pearson will be saying more on this subject in coming months.”