Computing and digital literacy in the Curriculum and Assessment Review
The Curriculum and Assessment Review puts a strong emphasis on the place of computing in the national curriculum, as well as broadening the scope of the GCSE to include computer science, information technology and digital literacy. In the Curriculum and Assessment Review report, concerns were raised that the current GCSE in computer science is too narrow and doesn't reflect the full breadth of computing.
The Review therefore recommends replacing the current computer science GCSE with a computing GCSE. This new qualification would retain core computer science content but expand to include essential digital literacy, data, and applied technology skills - preparing young people both for specialist computing careers and for digital skill use across wider sectors.
In its published response, the government has pledged to:
- Rebalance the computing curriculum to include both computer science and essential digital literacy, ensuring pupils understand how technology like AI works, how to use technology safely and learning essential digital skills from a young age.
- Replace the computer science GCSE with a broader GCSE in computing that better matches the updated curriculum.
- Explore a new level 3 qualification in data science and AI, helping young people secure high value skills for the future.
In addition to these changes the government stated that it will:
- bolster the pipeline of digital talent by encouraging more pupils to consider computing qualifications.
- consider the computing curriculum to be the main vehicle for teaching about digital literacy, and where it is required in other subjects ensure that it aligns with the computing curriculum, to reduce the risk of duplication.
- continue to invest in the National Centre for Computing Education, equipping teachers to confidently teach about topics such as digital literacy and AI, and supporting them to improve their schools’ computing provision.
The new curriculum will be implemented in full, for first teaching from September 2028. The government will aim to publish the final revised national curriculum by spring 2027 – giving schools four terms to prepare for the changes.
There is already a significant amount of support that your school can access from the National Centre for Computing Education, which can help you prepare for these future changes.