The End of Computing Hubs: What’s at Stake for…

The End of Computing Hubs: What’s at Stake for Digital Skills Education in the UK?

A Shift in Education Policy

The decision by the new Labour government to discontinue funding for Computing Hubs is part of a broader series of educational funding cuts affecting various subject-specific support programmes. This move has significant implications for the development of digital skills across the UK.The Impact of Computing Hubs on Digital Skills

Computing Hubs have been instrumental in enhancing the quality of tech education by fostering collaboration among schools, sharing best practices, and providing specialised training for teachers to further their expertise and careers. Since the launch of the programme in 2019, the 30 Computing Hubs have supported teachers from Key Stages 1 to 5 through development programmes, certification, and peer networking, while also signposting resources and lesson plans. Notably, the number of learners taking A-level Computing almost doubled from 10,375 to 19,276 between 2019 and 2024, with a 35% increase in the proportion of learners receiving an A or above.The Reasoning Behind the Funding Cut

Despite these achievements, the government has decided to end funding for Computing Hubs. This decision is part of a broader cost-cutting initiative to address a fiscal shortfall.Concerns Over the Future of Digital Skills Education

The discontinuation of funding for Computing Hubs raises concerns about the future of digital skills development, particularly in ensuring equitable access to quality tech education across all regions. The lack of independent evaluations for several hub programmes, including computing, has been a point of criticism, with only four out of thirteen hub programmes having published independent evaluations.Evaluations of Other Education Hubs

Independent evaluations have been published for the following four Department for Education (DfE) hub programmes:

Maths Hubs: A 2022 qualitative study by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) assessed schools' perceptions of the West Yorkshire Maths Hubs. The findings indicated that participating schools observed a deepened understanding and improved application of mathematical concepts among pupils.
English Hubs: The DfE conducted a process evaluation of the English Hubs Programme, which was published in November 2024. This evaluation gathered insights from hubs and their partner schools regarding the delivery and experience of the programme, highlighting both successes and challenges.
Science Learning Partnerships: An evaluation by the Isos Partnership in 2015 found that 82% of subject leaders reported a high or very high impact of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provided by the hubs on pupils' learning, noting increased engagement in science lessons. A subsequent 2022 evaluation by the Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education (CUREE) reported that 66% of participating teachers believed the CPD had a positive impact on students.
Early Years Hubs: An external evaluation by Diane Dixon Associates assessed the Early Years Hubs Programme. The evaluation found that the programme was successful in improving the quality of and access to early education, noting increased collaboration among providers and enhanced support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).techskills' Commitment to Digital Skills Education

In response to these funding cuts, techskills is committed to maintaining accessible digital skills education. We plan to leverage our extensive network of learning providers and employers to support tech education initiatives, ensuring that learners continue to have opportunities to acquire essential digital skills. Our goal is to sustain the UK's growth as a leader in technology and innovation.The Need for Collaboration and Future Plans

We recognise the critical importance of collaboration between educational institutions, industry partners, and policymakers to navigate these changes effectively. By working together, we can develop innovative solutions that uphold the standard of computing education and prepare learners for the demands of the digital economy.

As we finalise our plans, we will share more information about our initiatives to support tech education in the absence of government-funded hubs. Our commitment to accessible, high-quality digital skills education remains unwavering, and we are dedicated to empowering learners to thrive in an increasingly digital world.