Top computer scientist chosen to lead National Centre for Computing Education

One of Britain’s leading computer scientists has been appointed as chair of the new National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), it can be announced today.

Simon Peyton Jones of Microsoft Research has achieved worldwide recognition for his work on programming language among other things and will now lead the work of the centre as it improves the teaching of computing and drives up participation in computer science.

Professor Peyton Jones said:

The National Centre offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to firmly establish computer science as a foundational subject discipline that will enable all our young people to be active participants in the complex digital world that surrounds them.

I am delighted to have a role in translating the big vision of the new computing curriculum into a vibrant reality in every classroom in the country.

As the chair of the National Centre for Computing Education, Professor Peyton Jones will uphold the integrity of computing as an academic discipline across all the resources, guidance and professional development for teachers that the centre provides.