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Teach computing and computer science effectively

This essential secondary computing toolkit encompasses the support available to all teachers and leaders of computing in secondary education.

Our offer will support you at every step towards improving your teaching of computing and computer science at all levels. Grow your confidence, support your team, enrich your students’ learning and lead the computing curriculum across your school.

Advance your subject knowledge

Begin your professional development journey by building on your Key Stage 3 and GCSE subject knowledge. Strong subject knowledge is a foundation for great teaching, helping to build student understanding and tackle misconceptions.

With our A level certificate, you can also demonstrate your subject knowledge at an advanced standard.

Build on your pedagogy and leadership

Improve your pedagogy and teaching effectiveness across secondary computing.

Progress through our Teach secondary computing certificate alongside the KS3 and GCSE subject knowledge certificate to put your strengthening subject knowledge into classroom practice that raises student attainment.

Assess your school’s computing provision

Self-evaluation is the first step to improvement. The Computing Quality Framework helps you identify strengths and weaknesses in your computing curriculum and set actionable goals towards achieving our accredited Computing Quality Mark.

You can also join a Computing Cluster to work collaboratively with other schools to improve your computing provision.

Supporting your GCSE Computer Science provision

If you don’t currently offer GCSE Computer Science at your school, we are dedicated to work with you. Our support will help you create a sustainable computing department, improve provision and build capability and confidence –ultimately getting you in a better position to offer this key subject to your students.

Find out more

“We need the best talent to enjoy creative skills in computing at every stage so that any student can picture themselves thriving in a computing career [and use] their tech skills to make the world a better place.”

Pete

Pete Head of Computing at Fulford School

“Teachers played a pivotal role in fostering my interest by providing guidance and support in navigating the complexities of computing studies, highlighting the variety of opportunities which are available in the field.”

Tori

Tori Computer Science and AI student at the University of Sussex

Courses to advance your knowledge and skills

Eligible state-funded secondary schools and colleges in England can also access subsidies to help with supply cover.

STEM course

Python programming constructs for OCR specification

Learn how to write code to input, process and output data, and how to manipulate data stored in variables.

Live remote
6 hours
STEM course

Supporting GCSE computer science students at grades 1 to 3

This evidence-based CPD explores how to improve attainment in Computer Science for students working towards grades 1 to 3.

Live remote
6 hours
STEM course

Impact of Technology: How To Lead Classroom Discussions

Explore the ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental concerns surrounding computer science.

Online
8 hours

Browse our courses

Resources to help you teach secondary computing

Curriculum resources for Key Stages 3 and 4

Free, time-saving resources to enhance provision and support planning across the computing curriculum.

It includes teacher guides, curriculum maps, lesson plans and more. Use this to plan and deliver high-quality lessons to your learners.

Isaac Computer Science

Get support with remote teaching, homework and marking with our free online textbook for teachers and students. With resources covering the full English curriculum for all exam specifications, and GCSE and A level student events, this is a perfect revision tool.

Secondary Question Banks

A collection containing quality‑assured question banks to use with Key Stage 3 computing and GCSE Computer Science students.

Explore a series of 10 topics, covering areas across the computing curriculum.

Online safety resources

Online safety directly impacts the well-being and development of students. Teaching online safety not only safeguards students from dangers they encounter online but also empowers them with essential skills to navigate the digital world responsibly. Use our resources to learn how to help your students make informed decisions, engage critically with online content, and cultivate respectful and ethical online behaviour.

Resources to support girls' engagement with computer science

All resources and activities that support your efforts in improving gender balance in computer science and motivating more girls to choose this key subject are identified across our website with the I Belong flag.

Take your students’ learning further

Encourage your students to develop important life skills through enrichment and engage with the wider community in practical, enjoyable, and meaningful ways.

Running an enrichment activity with students also supports teachers' progress through our Teach secondary computing certificate.

Explore enrichment activities

Computing Ambassadors

Part of the STEM Ambassadors volunteering programme – Computing Ambassadors are people from a wide range of industries who can help bring your computing lessons to life and provide real-world context, creating an invaluable link between schools and industry.

Computing Ambassadors can visit your school, introduce a topic, judge a competition or show students what career paths are available to them.

Additional support

We operate a network of local Computing Hubs led by schools and colleges across England with excellence in teaching computing. Your local hub will work with you to identify your computing needs and provide a targeted programme of support.

Building on this support, the online STEM Community offers a way for teachers to connect, ask questions and support each other with professional advice and resources sharing.