As you will be aware, we're working with Ofqual to develop our next generation CiDA (120 GLH) qualification to ensure it meets all the characteristics required of high-quality vocational qualifications under the guidance laid down by the Wolf Report.

The DfE is currently considering qualifications for inclusion in the headline measures list from 2015, including our next generation CiDA. We will, of course, contact you as soon as we receive any further news on the 2015 List. DiDA continues to be popular with centres and learners alike and we want to reassure you of our ongoing commitment to this suite of qualifications in the future.

Continuing with DiDA from September 2012

The existing CiDA, CiDA+ and DiDA qualifications are all on the DfE's 2014 headline measures list so you can continue to teach these qualifications confident in the knowledge that they will contribute to your centre’s headline measures in 2014.

The existing AiDA qualification is 90 GLH and, while still valuable in progression terms, does not meet the 120 GLH requirement as stipulated by the DfE. This means that it won’t count in the 2014 headline measures. Learners who complete this qualification and cash in before 1 January 2015 will still be certificated.
 
AiDA, CiDA, CiDA+ and DiDA are all accredited until 31 December 2012. This means you can continue to offer these qualifications from September 2012. Please note that registrations for this cohort must be submitted no later than 31 December 2012 and final cash-ins made by 31 December 2014 (last sitting June 2014).

We continue to work with Ofqual to gain accreditation for our next generation CiDA (120 GLH) qualification. We aim to have this accredited as soon as possible and included in the next issue of the DfE list for 2015. You can stay up to date with our accreditation progress by following our subject advisor on Twitter @ICTSubAdvisor or signing up to our alerts at www.edexcel.com/dida.

Year 9 starters from September 2012
There are various options for your Year 9 starters from September 2012:

• For centres where headline measures recognition is not important, the full suite of NQF DiDA qualifications is accredited until the end of December 2012.
   
• For centres where headline measures are important, there are two options:
  
  - We are working to get the next generation CiDA qualification (120 GLH) accredited and available for first teaching in September 2012. We anticipate that this will be eligible for headline measures recognition in 2015. Learn more.
  
  - Alternatively, learners could take our GCSE ICT, which is very similar in style and content to AiDA. You can find out more about this qualification by visiting GCSE ICT and/or attending an online briefing session. Book your place by emailing ICTTeam@pearson.com.

2012 Summative Project Briefs (SPBs)
A final set of SPBs for the current suite of DiDA qualifications will be available in the DiDA section of the website in September 2012. This will be the only set of SPBs available in the final assessment session for this specification in June 2014.
 
The September 2011 SPBs will expire as planned in December 2013.

If you have any questions, please contact us on 0844 576 0031 or visit www.edexcel.com/dida.