Computing subject leaders: Getting ahead for the new year
As you look ahead to September, you are likely balancing familiar pressures with a changing landscape in computing education. Curriculum development, staffing, and ensuring high-quality teaching across Key Stages 3 and 4 all sit alongside a subject that continues to evolve nationally.
The National Centre for Computing Education is here to support you through this period. Whether you are stepping into subject leadership for the first time or refining an established curriculum, there are practical, accessible ways to help you lead computing with confidence in the year ahead.
Developing your subject leadership
Strong subject leadership depends on both secure subject knowledge and clear curriculum direction. The NCCE provides CPD designed specifically to support computing subject leaders at different stages of their journey.
If you are new to subject leadership, you will find structured support to help you establish your vision for computing, develop consistent curriculum planning, and build confidence across your team. This support focuses on the practical realities of leading a department day to day, from sequencing content to supporting non-specialists.
If you are an established subject leader, you will find CPD that helps you refine curriculum design, strengthen assessment approaches, and evaluate the impact of what you are already delivering. This allows you to build on existing practice and make informed improvements over time.
All CPD is available online, free of charge, and designed so you can access it flexibly when it suits you.
Evaluate and celebrate your computing provision
The start of a new academic year is an ideal opportunity to review where your department is now and identify priorities for the year ahead. The Computing Quality Framework provides a structured way to evaluate your school's computing provision, celebrate areas of strength, and identify opportunities for further development. Whether you are signing up for the first time or continuing your journey through the framework, it offers practical guidance to help you build a high-quality computing curriculum and demonstrate the impact of your leadership. Completing the framework can also provide a valuable focus for departmental improvement planning and help ensure your provision continues to develop in line with national expectations.
Have you prepared your curriculum for September 2026?
While the Curriculum & Assessment Review published in November 2025 begins to set out the future direction of travel for the subject, it is important to be clear that there is no immediate requirement to completely change your curriculum.
The Teach Computing Curriculum (TCC) continues to fully meet the requirements of the current Programme of Study. This means you can continue to use it with confidence as the foundation of your computing provision.
At this stage, you may choose to make small adjustments, such as refining sequencing or adapting units to better meet the needs of your learners and staff. There is no expectation for a full redesign, and in most cases, steady refinement will be more effective than large-scale change.
Preparing for change ahead
Looking further forward, a refreshed computing curriculum will be taught from September 2028. The Department for Education is expected to publish a draft version during the upcoming autumn term, providing an important opportunity for you to review and respond to proposed changes.
When this consultation is released, you are encouraged to engage with it. Your experience in the classroom will be essential in shaping a curriculum that is practical, relevant, and workable in schools.
It is also important to note from September 2028 that all schools, including academies, will be expected to deliver Key Stage 4 computing.
To support this, the TCC non-GCSE computer science resources provide flexible, ready-to-use materials for KS4 computing pathways. You may also find Oak National Academy resources helpful when planning and delivering this provision.
Strengthening your department for September
As you prepare for the new academic year, it is also a good time to focus on strengthening your team and ensuring staff feel supported.
The NCCE residentials in York, part of the Summer of Computing offer, provide a valuable opportunity to step away from day-to-day pressures and focus on subject development. You will benefit from expert-led professional development, practical classroom guidance, and the chance to connect with other computing teachers and leaders from across the country.
These residentials are fully funded for teachers in state-funded schools in England, including accommodation and meals, making them a highly accessible and impactful way to prepare for the year ahead.
Supporting new staff in your department
Many subject leaders will also be welcoming new staff in September, including early career teachers or colleagues new to computing. Supporting these staff effectively will be key to building consistency and confidence across your department.
Encouraging new colleagues to complete the KS3 and GCSE Computer Science Subject Knowledge Certificate is a practical step you can take. It helps teachers identify and address gaps in their subject knowledge, build confidence in key concepts, and strengthen their understanding of the curriculum they are teaching.
This shared foundation can make a noticeable difference to the quality and consistency of teaching across your department.
A period of opportunity
While there is change ahead, there is also a clear opportunity to strengthen your curriculum, invest in your team, and engage with national developments shaping the future of computing education.
The NCCE will continue to support you with high-quality CPD, practical resources, and clear, classroom-focused guidance. You do not need to navigate this period alone, and support is available now as you prepare for September and beyond.