Outwood Grange Academy celebrates receiving Computing Quality Mark

Outwood Grange Academy has been recognised for delivering high-quality computing education to young people, developing their digital skills and preparing them for the future.

The school has achieved the national Computing Quality Mark after evaluating its computing education and demonstrating high-quality provision. The Computing Quality Mark is awarded by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) and recognises the excellence of computing education offered by a school as part of their curriculum development through the Computing Quality Framework (CQF).

Andrew Downing, Principal at Outwood Grange Academy, said:

“We are extremely proud that the hard work of the Computer Science department has been recognised nationally. It is essential we equip our students with the knowledge they require for the future and there are few subject areas where such rapid advancements will be witnessed. This award is a rightful acknowledgement of the high-quality curriculum delivered which has resulted in exceptional outcomes for students.”

The Potovens Lane-based academy completed all seven aspects of the CQF in order to receive the Computing Quality Mark, which recognises achievement in:

•           Leadership and Vision

•           Curriculum and Qualifications

•           Teaching, Learning and Assessment

•           Staff Development

•           Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and SEND

•           Careers Education

•           Impact on Outcomes

Claire Garside, Senior Lead Facilitator at the NCCE, said:

“Congratulations to Outwood Grange Academy, on becoming an NCCE ‘Computing Quality Mark’ school! They’re among the schools leading the way to deliver high standards in computing education.

“The Computing Quality Mark recognises the quality of their provision to ensure all students receive the computing skills and knowledge so valuable for today and in their future careers.”

Nick Houlton, Head of Computer Science at the academy, added:

“I am delighted the NCCE has recognised the department for providing a high-quality Computer Science curriculum. It is so important that pupils have the digital skills they need to flourish later in life. 

“The award shows we are getting it right for our students. We are proud of our work and its impact on student learning and outcomes.”

The National Centre for Computing Education is funded by the Department for Education and supporting partners, to improve the provision of computing education in England.

Since the NCCE’s establishment in 2018, it has engaged with 60,000 teachers from more than 20,000 schools in England, created the Teach Computing Curriculum which has seen over one million downloads of lessons, engaged over 1,600 schools with the Computing Quality Framework and supported 54% of students studying AS and A level computer science through the Isaac Computer Science platform.