Government announces changes to computing curriculum

New qualifications will replace current GCSE to tackle skills gap

The UK government has announced changes to the school computing curriculum in a bid to reverse the declining number of young people studying computing and information technology.

The reforms, unveiled this week following recommendations [pdf] from an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, will see the current GCSE in Computer Science replaced by a broader qualification reflecting the “full scope” of the computing curriculum.

Officials say the revised programme will maintain the fundamental elements of computer science, like programming and algorithms, while broadening its scope to cover data literacy, AI and the ethical use of technology.

"All young people should be equipped with the digital capabilities required for an increasingly technology- and AI-enabled future," the Department for Education said.

Despite computing being introduced as a core subject a decade ago, participation has stalled, and in some areas, declined sharply.

The independent review, led by Professor Becky Francis, highlighted a decline in teaching time dedicated to computing over the last 13 years. Between the 2011/12 and 2024/25 academic years, dedicated time spent teaching the subject dropped from 4% to 3% at Key Stage 3, and from 5% to only 2% at Key Stage 4.

"Despite reasonably wide access in schools, take-up of Computing qualifications is relatively low at Key Stage 4. Following its introduction in 2013/14, GCSE Computer Science saw rapid initial growth, but entries have since plateaued at 12-13%. Technical Awards in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) also continue to see limited uptake," the government says.

The gender gap remains stark. Currently, 20% of boys take the GCSE in Computer Science, compared with only 6% of girls. For ICT Technical Awards, the figures drop to 5% for boys and just 2% for girls.

Building digital literacy and AI awareness

The government said it agrees with Francis' finding that the computing curriculum should act as the primary framework for developing pupils' digital literacy.

The reformed curriculum will focus on AI literacy, helping students understand how AI works, how to use data to solve problems and how to recognise and address bias in digital systems.

In addition, the government is exploring a new Level 3 qualification in data science and AI for 16-18-year-olds.

The review pointed to a significant shortfall in workforce digital skills, with 23% of UK businesses reporting a lack of basic digital competence, and 37% saying they lack the advanced digital skills required for their operations.

Alongside the new qualifications, the Department for Education plans to integrate digital learning more widely across the curriculum.

Work will be carried out with subject experts to determine which digital methods and content should be embedded in other subjects, from science to humanities, to support modern teaching practices.

To implement the new vision, the government has pledged continued funding for the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), which provides professional development and resources for teachers.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "It has been over a decade since the national curriculum was updated, and it's more crucial than ever that young people are equipped to face the challenges of today, so they can seize the exciting opportunities that life has to offer.”