Why Computer Science and Design Technology leads, Teachers, TAs and Cover Supervisors are coming together in Bury St Edmunds on January 6th?
‘Make hay while the sun shines’ - Funding is due to finish at the end of this academic year
Funding for Computing Hubs is due to finish at the end of August. There is some talk of this being extended, but we’re told that the current government are still deciding - so, for now, we’ll assume that there will be NO MORE opportunities like this with quite this level of fully funded support for secondary school Computer Science leads and teachers beyond the end of the year.
We know that Computer Science can be an isolating experience for teachers and leaders - often with small departments and teaching a subject few others in schools genuinely understand….Computing is literally another language - tricky to teach and an enigma for students until you (literally) ‘unlock the code’ of understanding, relevance and enjoyment.
Most people think children are “great with technology”, but we need children to be able to do more than swipe screens and play games. We need our next generation to build the technology that will keep our cars moving, our agriculture producing and our homes safe!
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CS and DT teachers are at the heart of the next generation of Computing whiz kids!… society needs Computer Science Leads and teachers to be motivated, supported and helping to close the very real technological skills gap with other parts of the world.
Why are others joining us on the Jan 6th event?
We understand that many schools have INSET days on 6th January. Some schools have already been eager to release their CS and DT teachers for high-quality CPD and networking, seeing it as more impactful than on-site activities. However, we also recognise that some schools are fully committed to whole-school staff activities on their INSET days. That’s why we’ve designed the Jan 6th Local Networking Day in a dip in / dip out festival style format - meaning you can come and go as you need - and dip in and out of most relevant courses and subject sharing sessions. You can also hold your own internal department meetings over coffee and biscuits at our place (the UPDC, Bury St Edmunds) - or join in for the whole day!
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One of the reasons we chose 6 January to help CS and DT leads is that we’re told many times that CS teachers tend to ‘get on with their own stuff’ on PD Days, but would really love to be able to share good practice with other leaders - developing a culture of outward-facing sharing and inward-facing challenge - whilst and access the latest cutting edge CPD from the National Centre for Computing Education.
Hit one or more focus in one day…
I Belong – complete the course if you haven’t already
Have your own internal department meets in an informal environment 'at our place'
Prepare and complete the 30 minute online test with support from PDLs
Priority access to the student events in the new year
Complete relevant, short CPD courses
Share good teaching practices and unlock tricky teaching areas
DT Teachers – gain an insight into how computing can be utilised in DT (and access to our extensive FREE bank of loan kit)
Priority access to our new loan kit (Bitbot Pros, Crumble Bots, Edisons and more)
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Finish the test!
GET QUALIFIED: The BCS NCCE Accredited Test: We’ve also included the opportunity to brush up, fill gaps in knowledge, take (and pass) the 30 minute teachcomputing test (for those who have yet to do so!) with support from our team.
Give and take…
The day will include sessions to share ideas, teaching methods - (informally, but against the backdrop of the official 7 CQF Dimensions - also giving you an opportunity to update or start your CQF).
A Level 'Assembly'?
And, for A Level teachers: We’ve also put on the A Level ‘Assembly Language’ course - something we’ve been asked to do before. You’ll also be able to increase your network of mutual support.
Increasing uptake in GCSE - I Belong - Encouraging Girls in KS3
Do you Belong yet?
If you or any of your school staff have yet to complete the full I Belong course which opens the door to the I Belong Certificate (worth shouting about, and more importantly – genuinely useful for inclusion and encouraging uptake of girls into GCSE) - we’ll also be running this course face-to-face, so you won’t need to take one of the online versions.
You might be closer than you think to national recognition….
An increasing number of schools are gaining the CQM (The Computing Quality Mark). The latest awards will be for Alde Valley High and St Albans High, and, we’re finding that many schools are closer than they think to getting the Computing Quality Mark, and many are actually ready but are not sure whether to ‘submit’ for verification. The general advise is ‘PRESS SUBMIT’…. NCCE will give you feedback if there’s more to tweak. But, you may have done enough to get it already, but, by attending our session, you’ll get a clearer picture of whether you’re ready - and what to do if not.
Invite TAs, Cover Supervisors, Teachers and Leaders
Upskilling and immersing TAs in the world of technology can help to improve confidence and skills when supporting SEND students within DT and Computer Science - or across the curriculum. This can also make it so much easier for CS / DT teachers to liaise with TAs for best impact. Some Cover Supervisors and TAs even go on to become Computer Science or DT Teachers (and we all know how difficult this pipeline of teachers is to recruit!). Improving the ability of Cover Supervisors to work with students in computing and tech environments - even if it’s simply understanding some of the key terms and subject matter can really help to improve behaviour and student enjoyment, rather than simple supervision and passive engagement.
Why Design Technology leads should come?
For the first time, we’re aiming this at BOTH Computer Science AND Design Technology. For example - the more we hear about how the two subjects cross over, the more we realise there’s stuff we can all do to cross-pollinate and help each other’s subject - through physical computing, subject knowledge and concepts.
Why CS / DT Teachers should come?
All courses or sharing sessions are suitable for teachers or leaders. Our delivery and sharing team is made up of existing Heads of Department.
PRIORITY ACCESS TO STUDENT EVENTS IN THE NEW YEAR!
Before I forget, for schools attending on 6 Jan, there is also a priority opportunity to bring up to 12 Year 9 students to BT Adastral Park (5th Feb) and the EEG XR Lab in Bury St Edmunds (28 March) for our I Belong - Green Skills Tech Challenge Days).
On the 5 Feb event we’ll also be joined by Beverly Clark MBE, Tech 100 winner who’ll run inclusivity workshops alongside BT’s trademark Robotics sessions - with the aim to empower and enthuse more girls to feel comfortable and motivated to opt for technology GCSEs. The students will also get a tour of the latest BT Tech showcase!
So - these student events will impact the important inclusion and diversity dimension, the careers dimension AND the GCSE uptake dimension.
Beverly Clarke MBE - LinkedIn profile
Multi-Award-Winning National Leader in Education | Strategic Advisor |Technological Innovator
A proven track record of driving transformative change in education. I am passionate about leveraging technology to raise outcomes for all. As a strategic thinker and advisor, I am actively seeking new opportunities to collaborate with forward-thinking organisations that share my vision for a more equitable and tech-enabled future.
Still here? Then keep scrolling or click here to join us …. 😊
So….what next?
Feel free to show this info to headteachers, line managers (or whomever sanctions your CPD / Release)
CPD / Network day: Register for the Jan 6th DT and Computer Science Local Network day (you can choose as much or as little as you wish)
Student events: Register your interest in bringing students to our I Belong student events on 5 Feb and / or 28 March
Click here to engage with either or both the Networking CPD day AND / OR the Student Events…
GET QUALIFIED….Pass the BCS NCCE Accredited Certificate tests on the day
Sometimes the last thing we think about is ‘ourselves’…our own development, credibility and accreditation. We’re just too busy, we have too many other priorities, can't see the point, or these things are just cost prohibitive. Sounds familiar?
‘Get qualified’ is our support programme for you to take and pass the 30 minute online test on the same day - which is absolutely within your reach - but you may not even know it!
For your profile and for the profile of the subject… we want you to get your badges!
Your NCCE digital badges usher you into a golden era of Computer Science development. They enhance your profile within the school, especially in a subject that few truly understand. Add these badges to your email signature, LinkedIn, social media, and more to impress staff, parents, Ofsted, and line management. They also boost your career development, whether you’re aiming for UPS or leadership roles.
We believe you are the lifeblood of the next generation, building the understanding and advanced computational thinking society now relies on. For every class you teach, a small number will go on to make a significant impact on the development of future technology, and those who choose other life pathways will have supercharged their thinking and problem-solving skills.
The BCS NCCE qualification badges help maintain the credibility and profile of the subject, and they represent your legacy. By raising the profile of Computer Science at the teacher level and media level, we strengthen the subject and gain more support and investment from all stakeholders—parents, colleagues and businesses.
To gain the certificates by completing the 30 minute test: you’ll be supported by teachers and leaders who have already taken the test and can help you fill knowledge gaps and share their experience. The official NCCE course, “Preparing to Take the Test,” lasts about 90 minutes (or less), and you can complete the test on the day in the (now statutory) ‘official environment’. If you’re not quite ready for the test - that’s fine… these sessions will help you to zero in on what you need to do to land the badges.
And…. these guys will be there to help in their official capacities as NCCE Professional Development Leads and existing or former Heads of Computer Science.
Martin Sexton (NCCE Computing Hub / PDL)
Christine Ince (Ipswich Academy / PDL)
Tina Thomas (NCCE Computing Hub / PDL)
David Neill (Alde Valley Academy / PDL)
A reminder that the THREE different Certificates for secondary are:
Key stage 3 and GCSE Computer Science subject knowledge (Start with this one)
Teach secondary computing (Next step - pedagogy and teaching method)
A level Computer Science subject knowledge (Can be done in any order with the others)
Which one are you?
Almost ready to take the TeachComputing Certification test, but lacking confidence, or missing a few gaps in knowledge?
Aware of the test, but too busy or just haven’t gotten round to it.
No idea what the Teachcomputing Certification tests are! In which case - take a look: Secondary teacher certification
We hope you'll Join us!