The state of ict/Computing delivery in Key Stage 3 and 4

During October 2013 a survey was completed of 8 schools in Somerset to examine the situation with the delivery of ICT/Computing. The survey was completed by interviewing Subject Leaders. Of the schools, 2 were Upper Schools and 6 were 11-16/18 schools, with 6 being Academies.

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  All schools intended to follow the National Curriculum for Computing.
  

Key Stage 3

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  Most schools were teaching ICT/Computing to all Key Stage 3 learners. One Upper school had no delivery in year 9 and one 11-16 school delivered ICT in a cross-curricular fashion (and did deliver discrete sessions to a small minority of learners). One 11-18 school only delivered ICT to years 7 and 8.
  
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  Delivery at Key Stage 3 was for 1 hour a week in general.
  
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  Delivery of the subject was by teachers who had a history of teaching ICT. Most schools were confident of the ability of the teachers to deliver the ICT syllabus. The more ‘technical’ parts of the Computing curriculum were seen as a challenge, especially programming.
  
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  In most schools there were the beginnings of a change to include programming and/or coding including the use of Scratch and Python.
  
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  In the main e-Safety was embedded in the course structures although it was increasingly seen as a whole school issue.
  

Key Stage 4

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  Most schools were offering an option for the study of ICT/Computing with only one school delivering courses for all learners. In most schools the offering was through an optional subject.
  
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  There was a sharp increase in the number of schools offering or considering offering GCSE Computer Studies.
  
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  There was a large minority of schools who were trying to offer both ICT and Computer Studies exams but class sizes were on the small side.
  
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  The most common exam followed was Cambridge Nationals although there was an increasing variety of GCSE Computing, GCSE ICT, BTEC and Functional Skills exam followed.
  
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  Those students that did not opt for ICT or Computer Studies received no further ICT/Computing education.
  

Questions for schools to consider

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  Are non-specialist teachers confident and able to deliver the ‘technical’ parts of the new Programme of Study?
  
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  How are all teachers of ICT/Computing being supported to deliver the ‘technical’ parts of the new Programme of Study?
  
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  How are those learners in Key Stage 4 going to fulfil the Computing Programme of Study if they do not opt for a Computing option? The element of e-safety is most important in this respect.
  
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  Does inclusion of GCSE Computing in the performance tables for 8 subjects change the status of the subject?
  
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  How can the subjects be made attractive to increase take up in Key Stage 4?
  
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  How does the school stand if there is a subject inspection of Computing?