CAS Secondary Community

If you’ve missed our recent events here are the summaries for you to catch up on.

A new programming language suitable for KS3-5 Elan – First Language for British Schools Since 1981 - TC meeting

Ideas for educational visits and work experience for KS3-5 Inspiring Computing Students Beyond the Classroom

How to get started with unreal engine and the Rube Golberg competition Interactive 3D: Rube Goldberg in Unreal Engine

Richard Pawson is donating his analogue computer to a school. Find out more here: I'm giving away my state-of-the-art analog computer

Help Shape the Future of Computing Education – Share Your Insights!

We’re seeking your input to better understand the challenges and opportunities surrounding GCSE Computer Science and part-time teaching roles. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us identify practical solutions to improve access and support for Computing education. Both of these surveys are anonymous and multiple choice so very quick to fill in!

Survey 1: GCSE Computer Science Availability
If you’re a teacher, we’d love to hear whether your school offers GCSE Computer Science and the factors influencing this.

Survey 2: Part-Time Teaching Insights
If you work part-time, please take a moment to complete this survey. We want to understand how schools manage timetables and school activities for part-time staff, including events on your non-working days.

Thank you for your time and input – your voice matters!

Have you seen the BCS report on secondary school teachers and AI? Many of the CAS community were part of the research and we’re really grateful to everyone who took part.

If you want more information on using AI in the classroom, particularly if you’re not a computing specialist, head over to the new AI page. We’ve collated a range of useful resources, including an AI policy template you can adapt for your school.

Hello,
We’re starting now! Join us for the CAS Secondary Community meeting, Free events, residentials and work experience for KS3-5.

Get your tea/coffee ready and click the link below to join:

Looking forward to seeing you shortly!

Happening Today: Free Events, Residentials, and Work Experience for KS3–5

Looking for exciting opportunities for your students? Join us today for a session with the Access and Learning Team from RAF Museum Midlands and Martin Sexton.

Discover free events, residentials, and work experience for Key Stages 3–5.
Gain insights from Martin Sexton on trips and broader educational opportunities.

It’s a fantastic chance to explore unique offerings for schools. Don’t miss it!

Sign up here: Free events, residentials and work experience for KS3-5

Hello Awesome CS Teachers,

Computer Science Education Week has started and continues with all its excitement.

Join us for the world’s largest Coding Competition for students.

We want to raise awareness for coding education by organizing coding competitions for all grade levels across the World. Take your place in this fun and award-winning adventure with your school.

International Coding Competition 2024 - ONLINE & FREE

Get your classroom ready in just a few steps. Allow your students to easily participate in the competition.

You have until December 15.

Blocks
Python
Javascript

FREE Register Now: Codementum - The Easiest Way to Learn Coding

Thank you!

Unreal Engine Rube Goldberg Competition Webinar

Get Started with Unreal Engine!

Join us on Tuesday, 10th December, for an exciting and informative webinar to help you get your students up and running with Unreal Engine, while creating a whimsical and wacky Rube Goldberg machine!
This is a fun way for students to develop valuable skills in Unreal Engine while taking part in a creative challenge!

Don’t miss out!

Register here: Live Demo: Unreal Engine Rube Goldberg Competition

Hi everyone,

CAS A-Level Thematic Community meeting, Elan – First Language for British Schools Since 1981, is happening today at 4pm and there’s still time to join us!

Register here if you haven’t yet: Elan – First Language for British Schools Since 1981

Looking forward to seeing you there!

You can still join us for this week’s CAS AI Thematic Community session. This practical webinar will dive deep into how Google NotebookLM, an AI-powered assistant, can transform the way you plan, collaborate, and manage teaching materials.

We’ll Explore:
Smart Document Analysis: Simplify policy updates, curriculum reviews, and teaching material revisions with AI-powered insights.
Resource Development Made Easy: Learn how to turn your existing documents into lesson plans, study guides, and summaries.
Collaborative Planning: Enhance teamwork with shared notebooks that streamline curriculum and policy development.
Enhanced Learning Support: Use features like audio summaries to make complex topics more accessible to students.
Don’t miss this chance to unlock the potential of AI in education and make your day-to-day planning smarter, faster, and more collaborative!

Register here: Google NotebookLM: practical applications for educators and school leaders

If you’re interested in being a mentor to a Teach First trainee you can still sign up. This isn’t a weekly formal thing and just an online meeting 1-3 times a year. If you’ve got any questions you can email jusherwood@teachfirst.org.uk and if you want to sign up please complete this form:
Microsoft Forms

CAS A-Level Community session: Elan – The First Programming Language for British Schools Since 1981

Date: 5th December

Join the conversation about Elan, the first programming language for British schools since BBC Basic in 1981. Free, browser-based, and launching in May 2025, Elan is designed to make programming accessible and adaptable for classrooms.

Richard Pawson, leader of the Elan design team, will share the journey behind its creation and how it can transform computing education.

Sign up here: Elan – First Language for British Schools Since 1981

Want to mentor a teach first trainee? We’re having an info session starting now if you want to join: Join conversation

Are you a teacher in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Swindon, Gloucestershire or Buckinghamshire?

You might be interested in nominating up to two students for the Computer Science Masterclasses below.

The Royal Institution Masterclasses in Computer Science are a series of 6 hands-on and extra-curricular activities that are designed to inspire and engage young people in Computer Science. Each session is led by enthusiastic speakers from industry, academia and education.

The Oxford Royal Institution Masterclasses in Computer Science are supported by Morgan Stanley and University of Oxford’s Department of Computer Science.

They are for Year 9 students from UK state funded schools in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Swindon, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.

Deadline for applications is Friday 29 November.

For more information and nomination criteria: Royal Institution Masterclass: Computer Science
Any questions or interested in nominating? Email masterclasses@cs.ox.ac.uk

Are you a teacher in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Swindon, Gloucestershire or Buckinghamshire?

You might be interested in nominating up to two students for the Computer Science Masterclasses below.

The Royal Institution Masterclasses in Computer Science are a series of 6 hands-on and extra-curricular activities that are designed to inspire and engage young people in Computer Science. Each session is led by enthusiastic speakers from industry, academia and education.

The Oxford Royal Institution Masterclasses in Computer Science are supported by Morgan Stanley and University of Oxford’s Department of Computer Science.

They are for Year 9 students from UK state funded schools in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Swindon, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.

Deadline for applications is Friday 29 November.

For more information and nomination criteria: Royal Institution Masterclass: Computer Science
Any questions or interested in nominating? Email masterclasses@cs.ox.ac.uk

Do you have a STEM Governor in your school? We’ve been working with others on this new toolkit!

The STEM Governor Toolkit has been developed by AtkinsRéalis, Governors for Schools and GovernorHub to define the role STEM school governance through a guidebook of questions designed to prompt teachers on how to uplift the culture of STEM provision and careers advice in schools. Ultimately benchmarking performance and creating a standard that can be adhered to across the education system in the UK.

The questions within the toolkit have been coined in collaboration with a number of expert education partners who are all dedicated to modelling high quality teaching across the STEM curriculum subjects in a show of strength to raise the bar and drive attainment.

We collectively believe this is the missing product in careers provision that will not only help governing colleagues to apply their time effectively, but ensure STEM is prioritized on the school agenda to ultimately respond to, and, provide a solution to the skills crisis.

Discover the toolkit:
• Questions to ask about STEM: https://ow.ly/7rZa50U4tVP
• STEM: role of the link governor: https://ow.ly/nAqn50U4tVS
• How to make STEM a strategic priority in your school or trust: https://ow.ly/y06v50U4tVQ

Do you have any poster for this that we can display in the school for better visibility please?

Just a quick reminder that our community meeting, Code Editor for Education, is happening today at 4pm.

In this session, Phil Howell and Mel Farrington will showcase new classroom management features available free for schools. Whether you want to help your students create their own games and art using Python or build websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Code Editor for Education allows you to create and share custom coding projects.

There’s still time to join us for what promises to be an engaging and insightful session

Register here if you haven’t yet: Code Editor for Education

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Are you teaching 14-18 year olds Computing and looking to introduce or improve your students’ SQL skills?
We’ve just launched a set of FREE resources designed to help you teach SQL with confidence!

These resources cover the essentials, from basic queries to more advanced database concepts, tailored to engage and challenge your students. Whether you’re new to SQL or looking to refresh your lessons, these materials are perfect for you!

Download now and give your students a head start in understanding databases: KS4 and KS5 SQL Lessons

Hi everyone,

There’s still time to join us for today’s AI Community meeting, Teaching Programming with LLMs, which is happening at 4pm.

This will be an interactive online session exploring the use of LLMs for teaching text-based programming. We’ll specifically look at how LLMs can be used to explain programming error messages.

If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here: Teaching programming with LLMs

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Digdata is thrilled to announce free virtual work experience events with National Highways this November and December. These career challenges are designed to develop key employability skills such as problem solving, data literacy, storytelling, and presentation. Hosted on Microsoft Teams, these sessions take place outside of school hours, making them easily accessible.
First Step Challenge Years 7-6 (England and Wales), Years 8-10 (NI) and S1-S3 (Scotland) - 27th November
Next Step Challenge Years 10-13 (England & Wales), Years 11-14 (NI) and S4-S6 (Scotland) - 11th December
Find out more: National Highways career challenges - Digdata - a Data Inspiration Group programme

Looking for a way to learn Python? Check out the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s new course:

‘Teach teens computing: Programming in Python’

• Designed for teachers
• Learn key programming concepts
• Make your own adventure game

Feel confident about teaching Python with your students.

Find out more: rpf.io/ttcpython

This sounds great - thanks Becci. I’m not free at that time but I’m happy to be paired up with a trainee if it’s possible to do that without coming to the event on 21st? I’ve mentored lots in the past but haven’t got an ITT student this year.

This is a great opportunity for you to support the Teach First year 1 trainees and year 2 ECTs. Some of their computing teachers could massively benefit from your wealth of expertise. Ideally they would like you to pair up with one/two of their computing teachers to offer guidance and support them on their journey, they have been identified as requiring support for various reasons. They would require a small time commitment from you, with a minimum meeting of once per half term, but this could increase depending on your time availabilities although we appreciate there isn’t a lot of that in school! If you would like to be part of this mentoring that would be great, come along on the 21st November for a short meeting and we can explain the process to you as well as potentially meet some of their computing teachers.

Hi ,

We are looking for a secondary computing teacher/leader to review our OCR Computer Science revision guide. This is review work completed for a fee and may open up additional opportunities for writing and reviewing in the future.

https://global.oup.com/education/product/oxford-revise-ocr-gcse-computer-science-9781382044080?region=uk

Please get in touch with me amie.hewish@oup.com if you are interested.

Apps for Good has a few courses: Innovate for Climate Change, App for Social Action and AI for Good. Has anyone used these with their classes and would be happy to share their experiences? If so, please email becci.peters@bcs.uk
Courses | Apps For Good

Hi everyone,

Just a quick reminder that our CAS Secondary Community meeting, Careers in Tech, Digital & Data, is happening tomorrow at 4pm. There’s still time to join us!

Register here if you haven’t yet: Careers in Tech, Digital & Data

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Congratulations to Sir Demis Hassabis CBE, Google DeepMind, on winning the Noble Prize for Chemistry. His team has recently been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their ground breaking work on AlphaFold2, a revolutionary AI system that predicts protein structures. We’re also proud that Sir Demis Hassabis CBE accepted the BCS Lovelace Medal last year for his significant contributions to the field of AI and the UK tech sector

It’s great to see computing is a driving force at the cutting edge of scientific innovation, with the Nobel Prize for Physics awarded for work on Machine Learning!

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has just launched the beta version of Code Editor for Education. You can find out more and register for a free school account here: Code Editor | Raspberry Pi

The Code Editor helps make learning text-based programming simple and accessible for children aged 9 and up.

Try out the new classroom management features:

• Invite teachers to join
• Add students and organise them into classes
• Help students reset their passwords quickly
• Create coding projects to share with students

We’ll be actively looking to develop new features over the coming months. This will include an extended set of Python libraries, custom instructions that sit alongside starter code projects and teacher-to-student feedback capabilities.

Events next week:
Join Alex Parry and I on Monday to explore the use of Large Language Models for evaluating free-text responses to questions. Can an LLM be effectively deployed to achieve the level of assessment provided by an experienced teacher? Sign up here: Can AI be used to mark accurately, fairly and consistently?

Exciting News for Educators & Game Developers!
Earlier this year, we launched resources to help educators and students get started with Unreal Editor for Fortnite. The response has been fantastic, and I’m thrilled to announce new follow-up enrichment resources are being released next week!
To showcase these new materials, there is a webinar on Wednesday which will walk you through how these resources can enhance your curriculum or gaming projects.
Sign up here: Unreal Editor for Fortnite - additional enrichment resources
Earlier resources: Getting started in Unreal Editor for Fortnite
Whether you’re looking to expand your teaching toolkit or level up your game design skills, this event is a great opportunity to dive deeper into the possibilities of Fortnite in education.
Don’t miss out—see you there!

Session for Trainees and Early Career Teachers - Behaviour for learning in the Computing classroom Sign up here: Behaviour for learning within computing lessons

Join us today at 4pm. Find any LEGO robotics kits you have in your classroom / cupboards and bring one along to this session where Brian Egles will be talking us through what the kit is (if you don’t know) and giving some ideas of how you can use them and where to find free resources.

If you’re using LEGO robotics kits in your lessons / clubs please come along and share what you’re using them for!

You’ll also get a CPD certificate for attending.

https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/events/2024/october/lego-robotics-what-do-i-do-with-this-kit-ive-got

We’re delighted to hear that BCS will be taking part in @WMinsightUK’s #AIinSchoolsWM Digital Conference on the benefits, opportunities, and risks for GenAI in schools and colleges across the UK. Julia Adamson, Managing Director – Education & Public Benefit, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, will be chairing this online event.

For 20% discount, use code SPKR4385 AI in Schools and Colleges Digital Conference - Westminster Insight

Just a friendly reminder that our AI community meeting, Oak Academy’s AI Lesson Planning Tools, is taking place today at 4pm.

Oak National Academy’s AI lesson planner helps teachers create custom lessons using adaptable content. Learn how it can aid in planning computing lessons at this intro session.

There’s still time to register and join us for what will undoubtedly be an engaging and thought-provoking session.

If you’ve not registered yet, you can do so here: Oak Academy's AI Lesson Planning Tools

I am excited to share an excellent professional development opportunity that I believe will be highly valuable. The event, BRILLIANT, is a free, full-day professional development experience designed to inspire, educate and equip teachers with the tools to innovate in the classroom.
Why Attend BRILLIANT?

This event offers a blend of inspiration, hands-on learning and cutting-edge resources to help you and your staff enhance your teaching practice, particularly in the fields of Computing and STEAM - and it is free!

CAS have a stand at the event and I will be delivering a presentation in The Inspire Theatre at 11.35am that unpicks students learning about AI.

Key Highlights:

Classroom of NOW: Experience the latest technologies, teaching methods and see firsthand how they can be applied in your classroom.
STEAM Integration: Discover practical ways to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics into your curriculum to foster problem-solving and innovation.
Visionary Speakers: Hear from renowned educators, thought leaders and industry experts on the future of education and the role technology will play.
Hot Topics: Explore key trends such as Artificial Intelligence, DE&I in classrooms and the growing world of Esports and Gamification.
Networking & Collaboration: Connect with over 1,000 fellow educators and industry professionals, sharing ideas and building a robust learning community.
Date: 15th October 2024 (8.30am - 5.00pm)
Location: ACC Exhibition Centre, Kings Dock, Liverpool, L3 4BX

I highly recommend registering to take advantage of this inspiring day of learning and growth. Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge in computing or broaden your understanding of STEAM, BRILLIANT offers something for every educator.
To register or learn more, visit the BRILLIANT website.

I hope to see you there.
Becci

Great news! The blog and recording of our recent meeting, “Transition from Blocks to Text with EduBlocks,” are now available.

Edublocks has a classroom feature that allows you to set assignments using starter code (in blocks or text). You can track who’s submitted their work, give feedback, and even import Python libraries!

Check out the blog and recording to learn more:

New resource alert! We’ve just launched a new resource for teaching students aged 10-12 all about AI. You can view the resource here: Understanding what AI is and what to watch out for

Hi everyone,
Just a quick reminder that our next meeting, Transition from Blocks to Text with EduBlocks, is happening tomorrow at 4pm. There’s still time to join us for what promises to be an engaging and insightful session.

Whether you’ve attended before or are joining for the first time, this is a great chance to share your experiences and connect with others in the community.

Register here if you haven’t yet: Transition from Blocks to Text with EduBlocks

One for teachers in Scotland:

To kick off the school year, Ada Computer Science has mapped their content to the SQA’s National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications, giving teachers and students access to free SQA Computing Science resources that meet the specific requirements of their qualification: Ada Computer Science

We have also introduced two new (free) table database scenarios for the Database Design and Development area of study. The scenarios provide practical, hands-on experience and deepen students’ understanding of database concepts and applications.

This release follows the launch of Ada’s Database Design and Development project, and the roll out of material to support the Computer Systems area of study.

Ada now covers more than half of the theory content for Scotland’s National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher specifications.

Hopefully they will be useful to you! Ada Computer Science

In case you missed the exciting announcement at CAS Conference, Richard Pawson announced ELAN - a new programming language designed for education. You can find out more and join the discussion here: Elan - the first new programming language designed for British schools since BBC Basic - #10 by Richard_Pawson

Following evidence provided by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and the CAS community that GCSE computer science was being graded too harshly, Ofqual have published its findings today in A review of standards in computer science. Read more at Ofqual responds to BCS concerns over grading in GCSE Computer Science (computingatschool.org.uk)

Thank you to everyone who joined us for CAS Conference on Saturday - it was great to see you all in person! We hope you all enjoyed catching up with each other and listening to some great speakers as well. And don’t forget, the session materials are available to download from

https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/communities-and-events/cas-conference-2024/workshop-programme

Hi folks,

With the academic year coming to an end and GCSE exams finally over, we (Ada Computer Science) have prepared some summer resources to help you pique your students’ interest in continuing to study A Level Computer Science next year.

As always, our content is completely free and you can easily tailor it to meet your students’ needs.

Our summer resources include a slide deck and lesson plan for A-level taster sessions, as well as several engaging quizzes to spark your students’ curiosity.

Highlight the benefits of studying Computer Science and view our Summer Learning page today.

Link - Ada Computer Science

Hi everyone! You can now catch up on our recent Physical Computing meeting. We’ve got a summary blog and a recording ready for you to check out.
Creative KS3 Computing with a micro:bit - CAS Physical Computing TC meeting

Next week a report is being launched on a three year project looking at computing education in England. This includes 5,000 surveys with young people, interviews with senior leaders in high provision non-selective state schools and analysis of national data sets. The findings are being presented along with evidence informed ideas to help you improve the uptake of the subject in your school; also, there is a nice interactive website for you to explore national subject provision. The event is free and open to everyone: Microsoft Forms
Subject Choice, Attainment and Representation in Computing
Online launch
Date: Thursday, 27th June 2024 Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM UTC +1

Catch up on yesterday’s CAS Secondary Community meeting, ‘Strype: Python with a blocks-like interface,’ with our summary blog post and recording.

Check out the latest blog post for a summary and recording of our recent community meeting on Pearson Edexcel Tech Awards in Digital Information Technology and Creative Media Production.

Edexcel Tech Awards in DIT & Creative Media Production - CAS Vocational Qualifications TC meeting

New resource! This is ideal for year 6 students on a transition to secondary day. It can be done with or without computers and focuses on ciphers and code breaking.

New resource! Use this to teach students how to use AI responsibly and what to watch out for.

We’ve got 3 events this week:
Cisco isn’t just networking tonight: Cisco NetAcad - it isn't just Networking
Edexcel’s Creative Media Production course overview tomorrow: Edexcel Tech Awards in DIT & Creative Media Production
Stripe (Python with a blocks interface) on Wednesday: Strype: Python with a blocks-like interface, in the browser
I hope to see you there!

!! Calling all schools longing for more engaging STEM lessons and lightbulb moments !!

SEND, Primary, Secondary, Specialist, Grammar, Private, Academies, clubs, all welcome!

My multi-awarding winning company CirKits Ltd® is currently selecting 25 schools in 3 regions for the opportunity to road test the teaching resource ComponentBuilder, which:

• Encourages more girls to take up STEM subjects
• Improves grades (21% average mark improvement in our trial)
• Makes computer science more engaging for all students

ComponentBuilder is a tactile learning resource that I have developed to give students the opportunity to interactively experiment with the insides of the computer in a collaborative, innovative way.

If you’re passionate about improving computer science learning experiences and having an impact on STEM results in UK schools, please give me a shout.

Our aim with these 25 schools is to replicate our trial results before bringing ComponentBuilder to the market nationwide.

Here’s how it’ll work:

• I’ll come visit your school twice (and bring my 10 years of computer science teaching experience with me) - once to teach a computing/STEM lesson using ComponentBuilder and once to get your feedback.
• You will then get to loan a ComponentBuilder kit, free of charge, for 2 weeks to use in lessons, focus groups, extracurricular activities and transition days.
• I’ll support and advise you throughout the demo period.

!! The road test will run in the September-October 2024 term !!

If you’re at STEMFest 4-5th of July I’ll be exhibiting the ComponentBuilder and I’d love to see you.

For more information about me and this exciting opportunity, look me up on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hwright3d/ or email me at info@cirkits.co.uk.

Can’t wait to hear from you

Hannah Wright
Founder and CEO of CirKits Ltd®

CirKits is fuelled by a passion for lightbulb moments, bringing more women into STEM and creating better computer science learning experiences for students.

Have you got year 6s joining you at some point before summer for a transition to secondary school day? Need an activity you can do with them. We’ve got you covered! Year 6 - 7 Transition

Apologies, the link was wrong in my last update. This is the new course link:

The Raspberry Pi Foundation have just announced a free online course that makes it easy to learn the concepts behind AI: ‘Understanding AI for teachers’.

It opens for learning on 01 July.

Build your knowledge about the types of AI systems, both predictive and generative.

Evaluate the impacts of AI tools on work and education, and how you and your learners can ethically use AI tools.

Prompt an AI “chatbot” and an image generator, and discover how knowing more about how these tools work can help you improve their output.

Learn anytime, anywhere, with the option to earn a professional certificate.

Go here to view the course: https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-programming/raspberry-pi-foundation-impact-of-technology-how-to-lead-classroom-discussions?utm_source=cas_forums&utm_medium=partner-marketing&utm_campaign=raspberrypifoundation

If you missed last night’s session about the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s code editor for Python & HTML, you can read a summary and check out the resources here Raspberry Pi Foundation's Code Editor - TC meeting

Are you teaching in the Yorkshire region?
Good news! You can now submit an expression of interest to become a CyberFirst school.

Timeline:

Expressions of interest must be submitted before 20th July, 2024 (link to the form below).
September: Teachers will be supported through the formal application process by the CyberFirst outreach team.
In mid-to-late October 2024: the CyberFirst assessment panel will review formal applications submitted by schools.

Link to express interest now: Microsoft Forms

*Applications are open for schools in Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, NE Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Rotherham, Sheffield, Wakefield, and York.

A request from Rachel Arthur:
Hi all

If you teach GCSE computing please can you help me by completing this form:

https://forms.office.com/e/siHKz5v1SC 6

I am completing my masters and researching the impact teaching AI has on girls uptake of GCSE computing, and I am hoping to be able to share my findings at the CAS conference in July !

So would really appreciate you taking the time to complete this so I have something to present to you all then !!

Thanks
Rachel

Join me on Thursday at 4pm to get a demo of Raspberry Pi Foundation’s code editor suitable for HTML & Python Raspberry Pi Foundation's Code Editor for Python & HTML

If you missed the session earlier this week about free careers resources suitable for students, check out the summary including links here: FREE Careers resources from BCS & Tech She Can - Primary & Secondary TC meeting

Are you a newly-qualified computer science teacher (or know of one)?

Ada Computer Science is running a free mentoring programme run by experienced teachers that will support you with your continuing professional development. It starts in June and runs throughout the summer.

We are here to help you hit the ground running next year!

Ada Computer Science

The Department for Education is proposing an updated version of the Computer Science GCSE to reflect advancements in technology since the publication of the current subject content in 2015. Findings from this consultation will be taken into account when finalising the subject content. Give your views here:

Join me on Wednesday at 4pm for a hands on AI masterclass from James Kuht (former CTO). With free pro tools now available from ChatGPT this is going to be a very interesting session!
https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/events/2024/may/cas-ai-hands-on-ai-masterclass-from-a-former-cto

Hi folks, Ada Computer Science has now released the new Database Design and Development project on their platform. We previously released material to support the Computer Systems area of study earlier this year which means we now cover more than half of the theory content to support Scotland’s National 5 and Higher specifications.

Database Design: Ada Computer Science

Computer Systems: Ada Computer Science

We’ve also finished tagging our content to the SQA exam board, so teachers and students can quickly see what’s relevant to them in all four areas of study.

You can filter the platform to find SQA content in two ways:

While logged out: go to Topics > select a topic, e.g Data Structures > Use the drop down in the top-right corner of the screen to select your Stage.

While logged in: My Ada > My Account > Select the Exam Board and Stage you want to filter our topics by to permanently customise your logged-in experience.

Join me on Tuesday at 4pm to find out about free resources for promoting tech careers to students
https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/events/2024/may/tech-she-can-stem-careers-inspiration-for-children

Hopefully your students are acing the exam this afternoon! Please use these forum posts to comment on the paper once you’ve seen it.
OCR: OCR Exam paper 1
AQA: AQA Exam paper 1
Edexcel: Edexcel Exam paper 1

Registration for the Coolest Projects 2024 online showcase is closing next week.

Coolest Projects is a free technology showcase open to young people up to age 18 from anywhere in the world.

Entries are open until Wednesday 22 May. All digital projects are welcome, from beginner to advanced, and participants can even enter a project that isn’t quite finished.

Participants will:

· Get certificates to recognise their achievements
· Receive personalised feedback from judges on their projects to help them take it to the next level
· Join a fun livestream on 26 June to celebrate all the amazing entries with the global Coolest Projects community

Find out more here Coolest Projects online 2024, or get in touch with the team at hello@coolestprojects.org with any questions.

Neil asked
Does anyone have any suggestions to the issue of needing to replace a lot of hardware in a short space of time with limited resources? A good number of our PCs are not going to support the upgrade to Windows 11. Has any particular strategy worked well for your school?
Respond in the forum if you can help Hardware - strategies for upgrading a number of PCs

Join me tomorrow at 4pm where I’ll be joined by Tech We Can for careers resources for KS3 Tech She Can - STEM Careers inspiration for children

If you missed the session last night about the DataFace competition which is open to schools nationwide for KS3 students here is all the info you need DataFace - what is it and how can you get involved? Secondary TC meeting

On Tuesday we’ll be discussing the DataFace competition which is aimed at Y8-9 students. Working with four core datasets focused on environmental responsibility, gender equality and the cost-of-living crisis along with a range of short teaching videos, students develop their skills and produce a creative visual outcome. Sign up here: DataFace Competition - Find out more

On Wednesday we’ll be discussing being a Head of Department (and those who are aspiring to be) and the new Secondary Leaders Toolkit resource launching next week. Come and get insights from experienced HoDs. Sign up here: CAS Secondary - Reflections on leadership

Join me on Monday where I’ll be joined by 2 teachers discussing AI for assessment AI to enhance assessment and integrity

Ada Computer Science: tips, resources, and questions for the ultimate exam prep

Hi folks. As exam season approaches, we (Ada Computer Science) have put everything you need for GCSE and A level Computer Science revision into one ‘revision special’ blog post.

Whether you’re a student looking for revision topics, or a teacher who wants to save time when setting practice questions, we’ve got free revision materials that are perfect for a stress-free exam prep.

Read the article here: Ada Computer Science

If you missed this week’s session about Mission Encodeable’s fun, free programming platform you can check out the blog post and recording here: Mission Encodeable - Making programming fun - Secondary TC Meeting

Tonight Interactive 3D community had a session around Interactive 3D and some new free resources which are great for the KS3 curriculum: Getting started with Epic's Unreal Editor for Fortnite - Interactive 3D Community Meeting

On Thursday at 4 pm I’ll be joined by Rebecca Franks for an introduction to Unreal Editor for Fortnite.

Explore our new enrichment resources that will support your learners in getting started in Unreal Editor for Fortnite. In the enrichment sessions, learners can design their own 3D world and personalise it with their own objects, they can then make a fun collectable game.
Sign up here: Getting started in Unreal Editor for Fortnite

On Wednesday at 4 pm I’ll be joined by Harry Wake and Anna Wake who will be
-offering some top tips on how you can make your programming lessons more interesting.
-demonstrating how to teach fundamental programming contexts with real-life scenarios, for instance, how programming can be used to tackle climate change.
-showcasing Mission Encodeable, the website they’ve created that takes students from knowing nothing about programming in Python to being able to answer high-demand GCSE programming questions. It’s completely free to access, very popular with students, and includes lots of interesting, real-world projects.
Sign up here Mission Encodeable's free programming resources

Hi everyone,

We’ve recently released video resources to help with online platforms like Google, Teams, and Seesaw:

• Seesaw - Evidencing Using Seesaw - 4 video sessions

• Google Classroom - Getting Started with Google Classroom - 4 video sessions

• MS Teams - Getting started with Microsoft Teams - 3 video sessions

We wanted to draw your attention to the TEALS UK programme, where volunteers from industry such as Microsoft support computing lessons (KS3 or KS4) on a weekly basis. This follows on from a pilot carried out this academic year and applications are now open for the 2024-2035 academic year, To find out how your school can benefit from this increased capacity and contextual knowledge, which may be specifically helpful for lessons led by non-specialists in your department, please see the following application page:

We’ve also recorded a webinar if you wanted the finer details of the programme here: https://youtu.be/aiWD7FAgoLw
Have a wonderful break when it arrives.

The slides from the Pearson session yesterday are here: Demo_p2_27feb24.pdf - Google Drive The recording is here https://youtu.be/TQ3ggO8f6Ao

At KS4 teachers often wonder what the alternative is to Computer Science or IT for those who can’t access the subjects or who are more interested in using technology than programming. coding and theory. On Thursday at 4pm, Jennie Eyres will introduce the Cambridge National in Creative iMedia as a possible alternative course for those students.
https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/communities/cas-vocational-qualifications

The next community meeting is on Tuesday at 4pm. It will be a practical demonstration of the Pearson Edexcel Paper 2 on-screen assessment covering the logistics of running the assessment from a student’s perspective. Additional time for questions about all aspects of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science specification and assessments. This session would be excellent for any teachers who would like to know more about this approach so that they can consider the use of this for their students.

https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/events/2024/february/on-screen-assessment-gcse

To celebrate Careers Week (4–9 March), the Ada Computer Science team have invited two speakers from different fields of computing to talk about their careers. The live Q&A webinars are for students aged 14 to 18 and their teachers.

Students can find out how our speakers navigated their way through formal education, what challenges they faced, and what it’s like to work in the exciting fields of AI and machine learning and video game design. Students will also have the opportunity to ask their own questions in our live Q&A at the end of each session.

Find out more and sign up your class for free today: https://adacomputerscience.org/pages/20240206_careers_week?examBoard=cie&stage=all

It’s here, the first episode of “How to Teach Computer Science - The Podcast”, it’s got jokes, silly sound effects and a competition, and I explain why I don’t allow pupils to play games when they are “finished”. Oh and I give some Computer Science teaching advice too. Please subscribe in your favourite podcast app (search “httcs”) or find all episodes here:

I will publish one episode per week, coming up I have Data Representation, Programming, Inclusion and an episode provisionally entitled “Call it ICT again, I dare you!”, with some great guests coming in.
Thanks for your support!

Thanks to everyone who came to the CAS Secondary online community event on Thu 8th Feb 2024. Here’s a recording for anyone who couldn’t make it: https://youtu.be/r2JFV5U7rBA

Thank you to Matt Hewlett from Digit for sharing and the Coding for Climate Action resources: https://www.digitall.charity/codingforclimateaction and the Meet And Code grants: https://www.digitall.charity/meetandcode

Thank you to Laura Cumming and Florian Aucompte from Ocado who talked us through how to make the most of the blockly and python levels on Rapid Router and the collaborative python challenges on Kuromo. Both free and available here: https://www.codeforlife.education

Finally, thank you to Prem Hirani and Helen Clemson from Oxford University Press who shared about their new Revision Guide for OCR GCSE Computer Science: teachers can get a free copy by emailing Helen with your school name and school postcode from your school email address: helen.clemson@oup.com

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The next event is 27th Feb looking at the on screen python assessment in the Pearson / Edexcel GCSE Computer Science qualification. More details here: CAS Secondary Community

Huge thank you to Becci Peters for getting these events set up for the Secondary CAS Community. Have a really good half term.

Dear Secondary Computing teachers.
Wow, the long month of January finally ended and we can see half-term on the horizon!

I am recruiting additional members for the NCCE Network Practitioner Panel on A-level and GCSE Computer Science. The next meeting is this Tuesday, 6th Feb at 4pm, and we meet half-termly online for about 90 minutes.

No experience is necessary, just come along and share your ideas and network with other teachers. The topics for this Tuesday are:
• Preparing for exams – what are your top tips?
• KS4 qualifications – alternatives to GCSE CS
• The Isaac Computer Science offer from the NCCE
If you feel this is something you wish to be part of, and can commit to at least 3 sessions per year, please get in touch asap at alan@httcs.online.
Many thanks
Alan

Alan Harrison, Specialist PDL for the NCCE

If you missed the esports event you can catch up with the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr59GHNNsrU
The slides are here: British Esports BCS CAS Mtg Dec 2023.pdf - Google Drive