New OCR GCSE will focus on cyber-security and programming
Students will be taught programming skills, which will include an individual coding project with a focus on solving a real world problem and could take the form of an app or a game.
Additionally, the course will cover online viruses and firewalls as well as online fraud and security issues.
Rob Leeman, subject specialist for computer science at OCR, said: “This specification builds on OCR’s pioneering qualification development in this subject area. We have consulted with companies such as Google, Microsoft and Cisco, as well as teachers and higher education academics and organisations like Computing At School (CAS) to ensure that the content is relevant.
“There is growing demand for digital skills worldwide. Whether students fancy themselves as the next cyber-spook, Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates, our new qualification will be the first exciting step towards any career that requires competence in computing.”
Latest News
01/10/2025 - 10:23
The Welsh Government has agreed to continue a licensing deal which will give all learners at Welsh state schools free access to Microsoft 365 at school and at home.
01/10/2025 - 09:51
Schools will play a greater role in ensuring every pupil has a clear post-16 destination, with a new approach to a guaranteed college or FE provider place available as a safety net being tested.
30/09/2025 - 09:51
The Chancellor has committed over £10 million in funding to guarantee a library for all primary schools by the end of this parliament.
30/09/2025 - 09:45
New data from Ofqual shows that schools and colleges across England are making progress in cyber security training, but are struggling to recover quickly from attacks when they occur.
29/09/2025 - 10:34
Low-income White children (LIWC) are among the least engaged pupils in England’s schools, according to new research.
