Explore how the Computing Quality Framework can help you drive positive change for your computing provision and earn nationally recognised accreditations.
The Computing Quality Framework can help inform and guide schools with a range of benefits, including:
Following our guided process provides an evaluation of key strengths and areas of improvement, allowing schools to understand their current computing provision and how best to raise it to aspirational levels for pupils.
Evaluate your current computing provision against these eight benchmarks, helping you identify strengths and areas for development. This will guide you in creating an action plan so you can progress through the benchmarks, working towards your Computing Quality Mark (CQM).
The Computing Quality Framework (CQF) can help inform and guide your school vision for computing, strengthening your leadership and intent across your provision. Collaborate with our SMEs for guidance and evidence how you plan to shape your computing provision.
Explore how your school can improve its computing curriculum intent, sequencing and progression to help prepare pupils for relevant qualifications as they reach secondary school. Support your curriculum leads with free teaching resources and suggested actions.
Discover our guide on areas of computer science for personal and professional development
Focusing on subject knowledge and classroom practices, elevate your computing provision with high-quality lesson planning and learning. Review your progress toward the Computing Quality Mark and inspire learners across all key stages to engage in computing.
Understand the best ways to upskill your teaching staff to achieve curriculum excellence. Following our guided framework, discover how to support teachers to become subject specialists with continual professional development opportunities.
Ensure your staff are enrolled on appropriate certificates for primary and secondary school contexts:
This benchmark focuses on inclusivity, equity of access and encouraging a sense of belonging in computing. We’ll help you tailor your computing provision, curriculum and teaching methods for learners with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) with an evidence-led approach.
Explore our guide on the digital divide in teaching: adapting lessons for all learners
Ensure your computing provision is engaging and multi-dimensional by exploring opportunities to improve enrichment and information surrounding computing careers. Help pupils understand what qualifications and extra-curricular activities are available to help navigate the exciting path into computing.
Discover our guide on explaining careers in computing for every key stage
Combine all you’ve learnt and reflect on your progress to consider the key results of delivering exceptional computing education. Those leading these efforts will consider learner engagement and evaluate the wider impacts of an effective computing provision for the entire school community.
You can receive support for any benchmark in this framework. If you are a state-funded school, you’ll be considered for support from our Subject Matter Experts.
The CQF has now been updated with a brand-new benchmark, with a focus on the growing importance of AI skills in today's digital world.
We are hosting an event in collaboration with CAS to guide through this new benchmark, with practical guidance and opportunity for questions.
Register to understand how to best apply the benchmark in your school.
When you progress through the Computing Quality Framework, our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are on hand for support and guidance.
Our SMEs are experienced primary and secondary computing and digital specialists who support state-funded schools in understanding and progressing through the framework. With their expertise, schools can enhance their computing and digital leadership, curriculum, and overall impact and outcomes.
Our SMEs can offer:
For general queries about the framework process, please see the frequently asked questions here.
Once you successfully progress through each benchmark, state-funded schools in England can apply for the nationally recognised Computing Quality Mark (CQM). This is awarded by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, on behalf of the National Centre for Computing Education.
The new Digital skills & AI benchmark will not be impacting the ability to gain the CQM until 2026.
This award is valid for three years and celebrates the institution’s commitment to delivering a high-quality computing provision.
We also offer two additional certificates to celebrate your progress and achievements working through the CQF; the Certificate of Commitment upon registration to demonstrate that you are working towards improvement, and the Certificate of Progress, upon attaining level 2 in 4 dimensions.
Once your school or academy demonstrates meeting the benchmarks with all of the evidence required, you become eligible to apply for the CQM.
More than 6,500 schools have committed to the Computing Quality Framework (CQF) and over 100 have earned the nationally recognised Computing Quality Mark (CQM), celebrating the quality of their computing provision.
“By following the [Computing Quality] Framework, we ensured that our curriculum aligns with the latest advancements in technology and prepares our students for future careers in computing.”
