Computer Science August Update
This update will provide useful links and information for this years results day, and for beyond that as we all prepare for next years teaching. I hope the results exceed your expectations. I also hope that you are managing to have a relaxing and well earned break over the summer.
This summer saw a return to the full examination requirements for the first time since 2019 and we fully appreciate the hard work which students have put into their studies and revision. On behalf of the Pearson Computer Science teams, we want to thank everyone in schools and colleges for your dedication in supporting students and helping to make sure they achieve the grades they deserve. We wish you and your students a well-deserved break over the summer, and the best of luck on results day.
Results Dates
| Qualification | Date released to centre | Date released to student |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE | 23 August 2023 | 24 August 2023 |
Availability of assessment materials
| Assessment materials | Date of availability on website |
|---|---|
| Question Papers | Tuesday 4 July |
| Mark Schemes | Tuesday 25 July |
| GCSE Examiner Reports | Tuesday 29 August (available on ResultsPlus from Results Day) |
| Paper 2 Item Level Mark Breakdown | Results Day |
Post Results Services
If you're not happy with your students' results this summer, you should take the following steps:
- View the grade boundaries, question papers, mark schemes and examiner reports for the paper/qualification concerned.
- View your students’ scripts using our free access to scripts service. NB. This is available only for Paper 1
- Log in to ResultsPlus to see how your students have performed on every question and compare their performance to the national average. For Paper 2 we will provide more detailed data via your exams officer - please contact them to access this 'Item Level Mark Breakdown'.
- If you are still unhappy with your students' results, you may apply for a review of marking via our post-results services.
Full details of all our post-results services are available on our website.
Access teacher post-results support
Find fees for post-results services
Find key dates for post-results services
Post-results support for students
We have a dedicated web page for student post-results support. Please forward this link to your students where they can find information on the services for students.
Network Event
We will be holding another Network event for Computer Science GCSE in the week of the 18th September 2023.
We will invite a panel of your peers to discuss their experience of moving to our specification and it will be an excellent opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. Registration link to follow.
Preparing for the Summer Exam
This event is broken down into three parts. Part 1 will summarise the requirements of Components 1 and 2 and then focus on the logistics and setup of the onscreen component. Part two will look at a range of question types, providing guidance on how best to approach these questions with suitable examples. The final part is a live Q&A session where you have the opportunity to speak to the trainer and ask any questions you may have to help you prepare for the summer exams.
Summer 2023 Feedback – Components 1 and 2
This live online training is designed for teachers wishing to receive feedback on our Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science qualification.
Preparing for First Assessment/Mocks Marking Training
This live online training is designed for teachers wishing to receive feedback on our Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science qualification.
If you are delivering, or are considering delivering, our 2020 Computer Science specification and have not already been contacted please complete the Intention to offer form below.
Please join the 1,960 colleagues currently active in the Facebook group for this qualification it is teachers only and provides the platform for free and open sharing of views resources and opinions.
Summer 2022 demonstrated that we have improved accessibility on Paper 1 and the new Paper 2 performed really well. We are now in line with other AOs in terms of grade boundaries and grade statistics. The question now is, why would everyone not, adopt our specification? – if you are convinced, please do make sure you spread the word among colleagues, moving to our specification is easily done as so much of the content is the same or similar and the practical programming aspect of our spec and the lack of a Pseudocode language are motives enough!
Feedback on 2022 paper 1 and paper 2 is available on our website
Let me know of any colleagues that would like to chat!
Subject advisor
Tim Brady
Computer Science and ICT Subject Advisor
