GCSE Computer Science J276 (J277)
01 October 2019
Launch of GCSE (9–1) Computer Science for first teaching in September 2020 and first assessment in 2022
Following a consultation, Ofqual announced early this year that all awarding organisations who offer GCSE (9-1) Computer Science need to assess practical programming skills via an external examination from 2022. We are pleased to confirm we have updated our qualification which meets Ofqual’s new requirement.
GCSE Computer Science J277
To differentiate clearly between our existing J276 specification and assessment (final assessment June 2021), we have given our updated qualification the new code of J277 (first teach 2020, first assessment 2022).
You can download our updated specification and sample assessment material (SAMs) from our new J277 qualification page.
We’ve kept it simple
Having spoken extensively with teachers over the last year, we know there has been an overwhelming wish for stability. Whilst we have made some changes, we have kept things simple – keeping most aspects the same. You can download our new ‘J276 to J277 Overview’ information sheet which summarises the updates.
Continued support
We will continue to support you. We are updating our resources and have been working with publishers so that their new textbooks reflect the updates we have made. We will be offering free Professional Development until first teaching in September 2020. We also have free places available on our Teacher Networks and webinars taking place this Autumn.
If you have any queries about this update, you can contact us at computerscience@ocr.org.uk or call 01223 553998. You can also sign up to email updates to receive the latest news from us about GCSE Computer Science.
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