Around the UK - Wales

Employers - Invitation to be involved in the reform of the ICT GCSE

We are very pleased to inform you that following recent work on the secondary curriculum review in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we have been provided with an opportunity to review and revise the ICT GCSE qualification. Therefore, e-skills UK would like to offer you the opportunity to be proactively involved in the ICT GCSE redevelopment process.

We are arranging three mechanisms for your input; you would be very welcome to be involved in any or all of these:

1. Online consultation - (closing date 12th September 2008. approx 15-30 minutes to complete). This will enable you to share your views on the proposals. e-skills UK will provide an analysis of employer input to QCA by the end of the September.
2. Employer focus workshop – (Monday 15th September, PM – London, venue to be confirmed). The purpose of this event will be for employers to articulate to QCA*, how employers could be innovatively contributing to the development of a qualification that will inspire young people.
3. Employer discussion forum with Awarding Bodies* – (Date – October/TBC, Venue – London/TBC) once the online consultation is complete a set of rules will be issued and used by Awarding Bodies to develop the ICT GCSE specifications. We would welcome you to an open discussion, between employers and Awarding Bodies, on how joint development could be facilitated. This will be a significant step in creating a qualification which employers see as relevant, important and appealing to young people...

This is an important opportunity for employers to influence the ICT curriculum in schools, and we very much hope you will be able to contribute your views. Please could you advise where you are able to participate via email to Sarah Snowdon who is leading the GCSE reform work within e-skills UK.

If you choose to participate in the 'Online consultation' please find attached the supporting documentation and the link to the online consultation at: www.e-skills.com/ictgcse

If you choose to participate in the 'Employers focus workshop' and/or the 'Employer discussion forum' further details will be emailed to you prior to the respective events.

Thank you again for your interest and support.

Footnote:

* QCA are the regulators of curriculum and qualifications within England

* Awarding Bodies design the specification of a qualification and accredit the qualification

 

Last modified: 04 Sep 2008