Computer Science June Update
With the summer exam series now ending, focus turns to reflection, next steps and preparing for results. This update provides key information and practical guidance, with further support on results preparation to follow in my July update.
Feedback
Our General Qualification Exam Feedback Surveys for the May/June 2026 exam series are now open, and we'd really value your feedback.
The feedback you give is shared directly with our senior examiners and subject teams here at Pearson so that we can understand what's working well and where we can make improvements for future series.
There is a survey for each of our key general qualification areas, and each should take no more than five minutes to complete.
New V4 of the Getting Started Guide
The Getting Started Guide is a crucial accompanyment to the Specification - please ensure that you and all your colleagues are aware that a new V4 has been created. This version has had additional exeplification added and had some improvements made to be more clear about the specification content and scope.
Training and Resources
These free online PD and training events are available now for you to book a place.
| Topic | Date | Time | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Dive into Paper 2 – Questions 5 and 6 | 10 Jun 2026 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
Exam 2025 Feedback
This session was run on the 8th of October and a recording can be found in our Past training content section of the qualifications page.
GCSE Computer Science: Exam Insights Summer 2025
Effective Teaching & Learning for Paper 2
This session was run on the 12th of November and a recording can be found in our Past training content section of the qualifications page.
This free online event took place on the 11 February 2025 at 16:00-17:30.
You can now access a further set of Specimen Papers - these are Set 4. These Specimen papers will remain under padlock and are a very valuable resources to be used by teachers for mocks and other in program assessments. The silver padlock means that only teachers can access these resources. Further Set 4 resources, such as exemplar training materials will be added during the next academic year.
In the meantime please utilise all Sets 1 to 4 to help prepare your students for the live assessments.
Useful background content
We're proud to announce that Pearson is now sponsoring Mission Encodeable!
Founded and run by cousins Harry and Anna Wake, when they were in Year 10. They are passionate about actively doing something to improve the uptake of computing and programming in schools, and we wanted to help them.
Mission Encodeable provides free project-based, creative and engaging coding tutorials for young people. Their Python Fundamentals course is a great way to support your students to prepare for the Pearson Edexcel programming exam content. The course is broken into a series of simple, well-scaffolded levels that teach Python fundamentals, and includes multiple choice quizzes and signature projects. It's free to access, with no registration required.
Find out about Mission Encodeable and their lovingly crafted free resources.
Paper 2 support and FAQs
We have compiled this knowledge base set of articles to help you find information relating to all aspects of our GCSE Computer Science Paper 2, if you are looking for an answer it may be here:
On Tuesday 13th April 2026 I hosted a live support session focussed on the delivery of GCSE Computer Science Paper 2, along with a Q&A drop-in session ahead of the exam series. Please see the 20min recording.
Please watch this short case study video
Pete Dring, Head of Computer Science at Fulford School, tells us about the school’s experience of teaching Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Computer Science.
Recording of Network event 19th March 2024 with Mission Encodeable
Recent students Harry and Anna who are currently in Year 12 studying A Level Computer Science presented their Mission Encodeable resources and answered questions about their experience of GCSE Computer Science.
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 2272 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.
Join us as an Examiner
Excellent opportunity to join this growing team and gain invaluable CPD.
A GCSE -Computer Science (2020 Specification) Examiner will mark candidates’ responses in accordance with the pre-defined mark scheme, whilst adhering to conditions of recognition and examination procedures. A high level of subject knowledge is necessary in order to apply the mark scheme. Each examiner will receive an agreed allocation of scripts.
Please note that if you wish to be considered you must have experience with Python Computer Language for 1CP2 02.
Responsibilities
- To mark accurately and consistently to ensure overall standards are maintained
- To submit samples to your Team Leader at designated times
- To ensure milestones for marking are adhered to
- To ensure all administration is completed as specified
Experience/qualifications needed
- You will have one academic year's worth of teaching experience: a. within the last 8 years b. within the relevant qualification and subject
- You will have a degree or equivalent
- You will be a qualified teacher
- You will have experience in Python
We want all students from all backgrounds to be able to see themselves in, and get excited about tech careers. Our new 'Be the Future of Tech' initiative is designed to spark curiosity and ambition in your classroom and beyond. Discover resources to inspire your learners into a variety of tech careers, including posters and videos.
Free teacher access to Pearson’s online GCSE revision.
We're here to help your GCSE Computer Science students have the best chance to succeed with online revision from the exam experts.
Pearson Revise Online gives every student the same access to all their revision guides for Pearson Edexcel and AQA subjects. All in one place online, with quick quizzes and knowledge checks to help them prioritise their learning.
This year, teachers can get free access to the platform to use in front-of-class revision lessons in the run-up to mocks.
Subject advisor
Tim Brady
Computer Science and ICT Subject Advisor
