New report calls for greater access to computer science teaching
More needs to be done to ensure that as many children as possible have access to computer science teaching, according to a new report from the Royal Society.
Analysis carried out by the UK's national academy of sciences has revealed that at present, 54 per cent of English schools do not offer the computer science GCSE, with 30 per cent of English GCSE pupils attending a school that does not offer this course - the equivalent of 175,000 pupils each year.
Take-up rates for these courses was also shown to be patchy in regional terms, with Bournemouth showing the highest uptake of the computer science GCSE with 23 per cent of all pupils. By contrast, Kensington and Chelsea (five per cent), Blackburn (five per cent) and the City of London area (four per cent) were cited as the worst-performing areas.
The report also offered evidence that more needs to be done to persuade girls to take an interest in the subject, as only one in five computer science GCSE students are female.
Part of the reason for this low uptake could be to do with a lack of confidence among teachers about their expertise in this field. Staff still feel most confident with elements of the curriculum inherited from previous ICT courses, with 44 per cent feeling happier delivering the earlier stages of the curriculum than the later parts.
The country is currently only 68 per cent of the way towards its recruitment target for entries into computing teacher training courses, lower than physics and classics, while a lack of teacher conversion courses for computing is also causing issues.
Professor Steve Furber of the Royal Society said: "The rate at which technology is transforming the workplace means that we live in a world where many primary schoolchildren will work in technology-based roles that do not yet exist, so it is essential that future generations can apply digital skills with confidence."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£130 - 160 per day
Location free text
Bury
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teacher
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Teaching Personnel are currently seeking confident and pro-active individuals to join our team of dedicated Supply Teachers. Our team work flexibly across a number of local client schools in Bury and
Reference
STBUR0611
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester West SecondaryAuthor
Manchester West SecondarySalary
£100 - 180 per day
Location free text
Leicestershire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Leicestershire
Description
Secondary Teachers & Cover Supervisors Needed for Day-to-Day Supply Work Across Leicestershire! Looking for flexible work that fits around your lifestyle and commitments?Teaching Personnel is see
Reference
CST3LA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Leicester BranchAuthor
Leicester BranchSalary
£100 - 120 per day
Location free text
Loughborough
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Leicestershire
Description
Secondary School Cover Supervisors – Loughborough | £16–£25 per hourLooking for flexible work that fits around your lifestyle? Whether you're an experienced educator, a university student, a graduate
Reference
LOUGH CS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Leicester BranchAuthor
Leicester BranchSalary
£140 - 170 per day
Location free text
Newcastle upon Tyne
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Description
Secondary Supply Teacher Needed in Newcastle Pay- £140-170 a day (dependent on experience) Start Date: ASAPTeaching Personnel is recruiting a qualified teacher for general cover across secondary schoo
Reference
GCTSD2021
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£179.04 - 205.00 per day
Location free text
Abergavenny
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£750 - £1,249 per week
Sector
Geography
Location
Monmouthshire
Description
Inspire the next generation of geographers in a thriving secondary school near AbergavennyA welcoming and ambitious secondary school in the Abergavenny area is seeking a passionate and knowledgeable
Reference
lc0511geomomtea
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport Primary & SENAuthor
Newport Primary & SENSalary
£130.00 - 171.71 per day + PAYE
Location free text
Cambridge
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Cambridge
Description
Secondary Supply Teachers – Cambridge & Surrounding Areas Central Cambridge | East Cambridge | South Cambridgeshire Flexible Supply Work | Day-to-Day & Pre-Booked OpportunitiesAre you a qualified Sec
Reference
LPGEN
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cambridge SENAuthor
Cambridge SENSalary
£93 - 100 per day
Location free text
Swindon
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Wiltshire
Description
Learning Support AssistantLooking for a new Learning Support Assistant opportunity? Thrive in a 1 on 1 environment? Passionate about every child’s success? This could be the opportunity for you!Within
Reference
TM-5/11/26-LSA(Swin)
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£93 - 100 per day
Location free text
Salisbury
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Salisbury
Description
Learning Support AssistantLooking for a new Learning Support Assistant opportunity? Thrive in a 1 on 1 environment? Passionate about every child’s success? This could be the opportunity for you!Within
Reference
TM-5/11/26-LSA(Sals)
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£93 - 100 per day
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Learning Support AssistantLooking for a new Learning Support Assistant opportunity? Thrive in a 1 on 1 environment? Passionate about every child’s success? This could be the opportunity for you!Within
Reference
TM-5/11/26-LSA(Bou)
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£160 - 250 per day
Location free text
Dudley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
English
Location
West Midlands
Description
Qualified English Teacher Location: DudleyStart Date Jauary 2026Pay Rate: MPS/UPS (dependent on experiecne) Are you a passionate English Teacher looking for your next opportunity from January 2026?
Reference
Qual Eng DY
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
October marks Black History Month in the UK, giving schools an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, contributions and experiences of Black communities while encouraging meaningful conversati
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As ADHD Awareness Month shines a spotlight on neurodiversity, Teaching Personnel's Ellen shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how greater awareness and understandi
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants' Day 2026, we're delighted to recognise the incredible individuals who have been selected as our Teaching Assistant of the Year winners.This year,
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
After a well-earned summer break, schools across the UK are opening their doors once again for a new academic year. Whether you're returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, Septemb
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for changes to the way temporary staff are sourced from September 2026, many will look to work more closely with framework-approved recruitment partners. Understandin
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Summer has only just started, and September might seem a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. Schools and trusts are already planning for September, with new opportunities open
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for September 2026, the shift from CCS (Crown Commercial Service) to the new GCA (Government Commercial Agency) framework marks a significant change in how supply sta
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
When schools wind down for the holidays, nurseries keep open. Many early-years settings remain open throughout the summer. Nurseries rely on skilled, caring staff to help children and
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job