Programming skills

A key part of the delivery of this specification is the development of students’ programming skills. Throughout their course of study, students must be given the opportunity to design, write, test and refine, using one or more high-level programming language(s) with a textual program definition. In developing these skills schools and colleges are free to choose the context (ie they can be developed in relation to solving a specific problem or to a specification).

In assessments where programming skills are assessed, we will assess students’ ability to:
  • design
  • write
  • test, and
  • refine

a program to a set task/brief (or to solve a problem). Students are free to use any of the programming languages supported by this specification at the time of their assessment.

Programming skills authentication

The head of the school or college is responsible for making sure that the programming skills are delivered as an essential part of the course.To meet Ofqual’s qualification and subject criteria, schools and colleges must provide a 'Practical programming statement'.

The ‘Practical programming statement’ is a true and accurate written statement made by each school or college which confirms that it has taken reasonable steps to ensure that each learner has had the opportunity to undertake a programming task or tasks that allows students to develop the required skills.

The ‘Practical programming statement’ will be provided by us.

Avoiding malpractice

The school or college must submit to us a ‘Practical programming statement’ which confirms that all students undertaking this course of study have had the opportunity to develop the skills outlined above.

Failure to complete the ‘Practical programming statement’ and return it to us in good time will be considered malpractice/maladministration and may result in the school or college being referred to our irregularities team.