January Update | Pearson qualifications

January Update

Wed Jan 25 12:33:53 UTC 2023

Welcome to 2023 happy new year to you and your students family and colleagues. We are getting to grips with actual exams series and upcoming moderation series in new and existing qualification I hope these notes will provide support and help you to navigate the opportunities that are up and coming.

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Computer Science 2020 Specification

If you are delivering, or are considering delivering, the 2020 Computer Science specification and have not already been contacted please complete the Intention to offer form below.

Intention to offer

Please join the 1,804 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!

Appointments can be made using this link.

The PLS Version 3 is now on the wesbite see the link below. It is largely unchanged but has introducted some clarifications – there has been no increase in the scope being required – we developed a changes document right along side it to summarise precisely where any changes have been made, I am sure you will all be satisfied that this represents a consistent approach.


Component 3 exam February 1st Tech Award in DIT

Please see the JCQ document on the approach to disruption for exams.


Redeveloped 2022 Tech Award in DIT

Please review carefully the FAQs related to the new 2022 specifications here there is also a Key Dates document to help clarify scheduling to help with planning.

2022 Tech Award FAQs

Here you can find a recording of the recent getting ready to teach the Digital Information Technology (DIT) , this training session will be a useful watch.

Training Event Recording

This communication (21 July 2022) is a recent update to all matters related to the new Tech Awards, it includes information about Registrations, Entries and training please do have a look at this.

Tech Award Communication

I have created an old spec to new spec mapping document which is easier to use than the one embedded in the Transition guide.

Mapping document

Here are some interesting video resources here on our Quality Nominee Support page (scroll down to BTEC Tech Awards 2022)

Video resources


Level 3 Reforms, T-Levels and Nationals

Our ongoing position on this very important topic can be followed on the webpage below.

L3 Updates

Since the last update the DfE have published the requirements going forward for redevelopment of Level 3 qualifications see here it is fascinating reading and will guide our redevelopments which need to be done at pace this year.

DfE Guide to the post-16 qualifications landscape at level 3 and below for 2025 and beyond


Systems improvements for Learner Work Transfer

Following customer feedback, we’ve undertaken a range of system improvements for our Learner Work Transfer.
New server: we have moved to a new server for Learner Work Transfer that now enables us to handle increased capacity during peak periods.

Better user experience: we will now confirm when an upload has been completed by the introduction of a new file status called ‘Uploaded’. Once all files are in an 'Uploaded' state, you can submit your request.

Improved scanning: we have removed the ‘Scanning’ status so that this takes place in the background automatically. This means that once a file is uploaded to us, you can leave this within the system and check back to see if it has been ‘Accepted’ or 'Rejected’.

Future improvements for summer 2023: we’re working on further improvements to Learner Work Transfer which will be in effect for the summer 2023 exam series. These include:

  • being able to remove a file in an ‘Uploaded’ state
  • enabling a Shared Files function so that your learners can be linked to a file once it has been uploaded, rather than waiting for a file to move to an ‘Accepted’ state.

For more support with Learner Work Transfer please visit our support page.
LWT Support Page




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