GCSE Computer Science
Both units are sat on screen. Unit 1 tests theory (algorithms, data representation, networks, cybersecurity, logic, the systems development life cycle) and Unit 2 asks learners to design, write, test and refine Python 3 programs with a Tkinter interface in IDLE against a pre-released scenario. The single biggest thing KS3 should build is confident algorithm design and debugging: pupils who can decompose a problem, write it as a flowchart or pseudocode, then code, test and fix it arrive ready for Unit 2.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Level 1 and Level 2
- First taught
- September 2025
- Amount of digital work
- High
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
- Unit 1: Understanding Computer Science: Digital examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 50%, 80 marks
- Unit 2: Computer Programming: On-screen examination based on a pre-released brief, 2 hours, 50%, 80 marks, set and marked by WJEC
Skills that use Digital rights, licensing and ownership
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Weighing the legal, ethical and environmental impact of technology
Learners are aware of issues around manufacturing and disposing of hardware, automated systems and AI, network privacy, and intellectual property in software development.
DCF: Digital rights, licensing and ownership, Health and well-being
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils remix a shared Scratch project, credit the original creator in the notes, and discuss why copying without credit is plagiarism.
- Year 8
- Pupils research where an old school laptop goes when it is thrown away and present the environmental impact on one PowerPoint slide.
- Year 9
- Pupils debate whether an AI-driven automated system, such as a self-checkout or driverless car, should be allowed, using legal and ethical arguments.
Show the specification wording and the DCF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 1, Section 1.8.1 Systems development life cycle, page 21, and Section 1.1.1 Components, pages 11 to 12
“legal and ethical considerations relating to intellectual property in software development.”
Progression step 3
I can understand that copying the work of others and presenting it as my own is plagiarism.
I can identify the wider positive and negative influences of technology, e.g. on my life, on society, on the environment.
Progression step 4
I can understand copyright and can explain the legal and ethical dimensions of respecting creative work, e.g. exploring the ethical and legal ramifications of piracy and plagiarism and know that they are irresponsible and disrespectful, and I can apply my understanding of the rules and regulations to different scenarios.
I can act responsibly as creator and user of creative work, e.g. exploring decisions that creators make when exercising their creative rights and responsibilities, giving consideration to ethical, real-life issues.
Progression step 5
I can understand the legal and ethical debates that surround using other people’s creative work; and I consider the points of view of the original creator, potential audiences, and the broader community when using materials belonging to others.
I can understand the legal responsibilities for disposal of technology and the environmental impact of doing so.
Good to know
- Unit 2 is tied to one tool, page 22: "Learners will require access to Python 3." Learners must sit the Unit 2 examination in the Python IDLE version named in the pre-release, using Tkinter for interfaces.
- Any programming environment is allowed for teaching, page 22: "Centres may use an IDE of their choice for teaching programming knowledge and skills." KS3 can use Scratch before moving to Python.
- No notes are allowed into the Unit 2 examination, page 28: "learners are not permitted to take any prompts or notes into the examination." Pupils must be able to code from memory.
- Unplugged, non-digital work is encouraged but not assessed, page 27: "undertake ‘unplugged’ learning and development activities to help bring to life computational concepts".
- There is no NEA. Both units are examinations, page 5: Unit 1 is a "Digital examination: 1 hour 30 minutes" and Unit 2 is an "On-screen examination based on a pre-released brief: 2 hours".
Links with other qualifications
GCSE Digital Technology shares the binary data representation, compression calculation, cyber threats (phishing, social engineering, man-in-the-middle attacks), data validation and legal and ethical content, and its practical work also involves coding (JavaScript arrays, string methods and form validation), so Years 7 to 9 work on these skills serves both GCSEs; the binary, logic and storage calculations also draw on Mathematics number skills.
Source: WJEC GCSE Computer Science specification, teaching from 2025, for award from 2027, Version 3, September 2025.