Is computing compulsory at GCSE?

[Painaupain]

I know that students don't have to choose to take Computer Science GCSE. But is it right that they DO have to had some level of computing education (even if they don't choose CS as one of their options)? In the same way as even if you don't choose PE GCSE, you still have to do some PE!

From googling, it looks to me like you do have to.
But my son's school seems to be saying, you either do CS for GCSE ... or you never study it again!

@clary
This would have been 2018/19.

Maybe the subject was computer studies rather than ICT? All I know is that the young people who hadn't got these subjects at GCSE had to do some modules in them alongside the NVQ. DS had got his maths and English but didn't do the ICT/computer studies at school so had to undertake some additional modules alongside his NVQ. It was something like the computer driving licence.

You don't need to recruit 2-3 specialist Computer Science teachers (as it's not learning to type and make tables in Excel) at a cost of around £160-190k with onboarding and employer costs included to tell kids to do their tie up.

Do you mean they are taking a GCSE in ICT (because there isn't really one any more)? Or just having a weekly lesson in it? I mean as such that's not a bad idea, if timetabling allows.

It would have been ICT Functional Skills, approximating to the hands-on practical element of the old GCSE.

Edited to add that I teach first year university students and their practical ICT skills are almost universally dire. One explained to me that everyone seemed to think that because they were considered “digital natives” they would automatically be able to use all standard applications software effectively (they absolutely can’t).

That was Michael Gove who got rid of ICT lessons because of the assumption that kids would know how to use computers from owning a phone.

Watching my DS trying to do basic stuff like create a new folder and copy files across is painful.

This is interesting actually.

My DC are not bad at all but yes, I have worked with YP who seem unable to cover basic functions within Word or PPt.

Maybe there is a role for a compulsory IT lesson or compulsory FS IT?

Hi @Painaupain I also thought it was compulsory. At my dc's school, they don't have to take it as a GCSE, but they have to do 'core computing', the same way they do PE and PSHCE at KS4. In their school, it's one hour a fortnight. State secondary school.

Mine was a GCSE, theirs is timetabled similar to mine and I know my cousin who is in her final year is currently doing her coursework for ICT the same as I did.

I found it really useful as a GCSE because it meant I left school knowing some very basic coding and had experience using different softwares, didn’t really enjoy it at the time but I have since used those softwares in various jobs so was useful there.

Yeah, that’s how I thought it would be. But it looks like that’s not the case! Seems a shame tbh but I accept staffing etc is tricky.

No.

@stichguru Religious Studies is also compulsory. Whether schools do it or not is another matter, but it is a legal requirement that it’s studied.

It isn't at my nearest high school (NW, a large academy).
A parent whose daughter was choosing GCSEs told me and I couldn't believe it.

It's really not.

No it isn't.

Studying it in some form is, which is why so many do short course at least as compulsory (may as well get something out of it). The GCSE is not compulsory at my school.

RS is not a compulsory GCSE subject. Some schools choose to state it has to be done but this is the school's choice. CS is also not compulsory and there is a worrying lack of teachers in this area. It's not just about using Excel and Word either.

In fact it’s not about that at all. That was the old ICT (which was amazingly simple and could be taught be anyone really). It’s computing now. Which is more focused on programming and engineering.
At A Level Computing has one of the biggest pieces of coursework.

Yes, I have a DC doing it and several friends' DCs too.

That was the old ICT (which was amazingly simple and could be taught be anyone really)

That is entirely untrue. Please don’t post such misleading nonsense.

Edited to add: though it is true that almost any subject could be taught, albeit badly and unsuccessfully, by anyone.

It really isn’t untrue. The old IT GCSE was simple. It was basic IT skills that all teachers who qualified when I did had to prove they had (we had an IT skills test as well as English and Maths).

DD did her GCSE in 2023 and never ever had dedicated IT lessons. I think she did more in Y6 in primary than in the 5 years secondary.

They offered it as an option though.

All girls academy, so following the curriculum is not mandatory and it's also a huge issue that there aren't enough teachers - as for lots of option subjects.

I think IT teaching provision in this country is woeful. I agree with a pp that it’s nuts we make kids wear blazers and ties to prepare them for work, when few professions still require this, but don’t make them acquire the IT skills that they absolutely will need.

Dd is doing computer science GCSE and there are only two girls in the whole year taking it, which I find shocking in this day and age.

I know there’s a shortage of teachers. This needs addressing as a matter of priority if we are to equip the next generation with the skills they need in today’s workplace.

You are wrong and don’t know what you are talking about.

I taught it for a number of years (I’m actually Maths trained) and it was very technical and demanding at the higher end. Relational database design, advanced spreadsheet skills including VB programming, website design and HTML programming, knowledge and understanding of networks and Internet protocols, legislation and so on. Context-based use of applications to solve real life problems.

There were three assessments at two levels (Foundation and Higher): a one-hour multiple choice exam, a 60 min Foundation and a 90 min Higher written paper covering theory, and a practical assessment that we chose to do as a 5 hour whole day exam.

I can confidently say that my students left with a broad range of essential to high level skills and knowledge, including well developed problem solving skills, that will have served them well in later life or at A level (where we offered both the ICT and Computing A levels, also both taught to an exactingly high standard).

DS's school offer computer science and ICT for years 7-9 - I think ICT might be a BTEC rather than a GCSE though. Only comp sci at A-level though.

I've never heard of having to do CS (outside of the bits you do in other lessons) if you don't choose it as a GCSE OP.

I’m not wrong. Our students found it a piece of cake. This was of course in the days when everyone was using html on their MySpace accounts.
We’re going to have to agree to disagree. It was specifically replaced by Computing because IT wasn’t rigorous.