Exeter Maths School, in partnership with Broadclyst Community Primary School and Uffculme School, is delighted to have been awarded official Computing Hub status by the National Centre for Computing Education.
The National Centre for Computing Education is funded by the Department for Education and marks a significant investment in improving the provision of computing education in England.
The West Country Computing Hub is a focal point for local computing training across Devon and East Dorset – providing high-quality support for the teaching of computing in schools and colleges, from Key Stage 1 through to A level. Our extensive range of training, resources and support covers elements of the curriculum at every Key Stage, catering for all levels of subject knowledge and experience.
Whether you’re a teacher, employer or resource provider, there are plenty of ways you can engage with us.
Please click on the relevant link below to see our courses.
If you have any questions, please email: TeachComputing@exeterms.ac.uk
Teaching and Leading Key Stage 1 Computing (2 day)
Supporting teachers with KS1 computing, this two day course explores how to effectively teach computing to KS1 students including algorithms and programming, digital literacy, creative computing and presenting information.
Teaching and Leading Key Stage 2 Computing (2 day)
Over two days you will broaden your understanding across the KS2 computing curriculum. You will strengthen your knowledge of computer systems and networks, including the internet and technologies such as search engines. You will demystify computers, developing understanding of data fundamentals such as binary, and learning how the parts of a computer system handle this data to carry out useful tasks.
Primary Programming and Algorithms (1 day)
During this one-day professional development, you will discover engaging and effective ways to help children use computational thinking. You will be equipped to develop their knowledge of how technology works, and the skills to make computers follow instructions in simple programs.
Introduction to Primary Computing (1 day)
Computing in primary schools is a practical, creative and knowledge-rich subject. This course provides teachers with the knowledge and confidence to get started on the journey to outstanding computing in your school, whether you’re a subject coordinator or another interested teacher.
We offer free online courses and bursary-supported face-to-face courses for primary teachers working in state-funded schools in England.
One teacher from each school is eligible for a bursary to fund one course per academic year. This is payable on completion of the course.
| Course fee | £35 per day |
|---|---|
| Bursary | £220 per day |
| Your school will receive: | £185 per day |
Subsequent teachers from the same school will pay £35 a day.
The fee for teachers working in independent schools is £220 a day.
Please note that for face-to-face courses you will be taken to STEM Learning to see further details and book.
Online courses are hosted by FutureLearn. If you go through teachcomputing.org to book, these courses will come with a free upgrade. You will need a separate FutureLearn account to sign up for them, please use the same email address as you used for your TeachComputing so that your progress can be tracked.
After you complete the course, go to your dashboard to track your progress towards certification.
Introduction to Primary Computing
| Location | Dates |
| Heatherlands Primary School, Poole – Book your place here! |
Wednesday 20th May, 0930-1530 |
Primary Programming and Algorithms
| Location | Dates |
Thursday 18th June, 0930-1530 |
Teaching and Leading Key Stage 1 Computing
| Location | Dates |
| Westclyst Community Primary School, Exeter – Book your place here! |
Day 1 – Monday 2nd March, 0930-1530Day 2 – Friday 1st May, 0930-1530 |
Day 1 – Friday 13th March, 0930-1530Day 2 – Tuesday 12th May, 0930-1530 |
Teaching and Leading Key Stage 2 Computing
| Location | Dates |
| Westclyst Community Primary School, Exeter – Book your place here! |
Day 1 – Wednesday 4th March, 0930-1530Day 2 – Wednesday 6th May, 0930-1530 |
Day 1 – Friday 6th March, 0930-1530Day 2 – Thursday 16th April, 0930-1530 |
Outstanding Teaching of GCSE Computer Science (4 day)
This four day course explores the research and pedagogy behind outstanding teaching at GCSE in Computer Science, including how to teach programming successfully, using technology in the classroom, effective theory teaching, encouraging girls into GCSE computer science etc.
Creative Computing for Key Stage 3 (3 day)
This three day course explores the fundamentals of a successful key stage 3 computing curriculum. Focusing on curriculum design, the course will look at how to build an inclusive curriculum, how to engage students in programming, physical computing and building a successful department.
Key Stage 4 Computing For All (1 day)
The one day course will explore how computing at KS4 can be embedded cross curricular, the different qualifications available and how to build a strong curriculum offer for all students.
The fee is £35 per day for teachers in state-funded, non-priority schools.
The fee is £220 per day for teachers from independent schools.
Please note that for face-to-face courses you will be taken to STEM Learning to see further details and book.
Online courses are hosted by FutureLearn. If you go through teachcomputing.org to book, these courses will come with a free upgrade. You will need a separate FutureLearn account to sign up for them, please use the same email address as you used for your TeachComputing so that your progress can be tracked.
After you complete the course, go to your dashboard to track your progress towards certification.
Dates will be posted here soon!
The Computer Science Accelerator (CSA) Programme is a professional development programme designed to support teachers from non-specialist backgrounds who want to improve their knowledge of computer science and teach it at GCSE level.
The programme is suitable for those already teaching or planning to teach GCSE computer science and will help teachers to fill potential gaps in their knowledge. Generous financial support is available for schools, including bursaries to help cover the costs associated with CPD participation.
The CSA Programme offers free online courses to all teachers and free face-to-face CPD for teachers in state-funded education. A £1500 bursary is available for teachers in state-funded education on completion of the programme.
We hope you find the programme supportive and that it helps to give you the confidence to teach computer science across the curriculum.
Teachers can choose to complete individual courses from a menu of face-to-face and online options, as detailed below. Download the brochure for an overview of the programme, learning opportunities and support available for teachers.
Introduction to GCSE Computer Science
This course allows participants to learn the core subject knowledge that unlocks understanding of the whole computer science GCSE curriculum, and the key terminology used. This course is designed to be an introduction of the 4 areas to the GCSE Accelerator programme.
Python Programming Essentials in GCSE Computer Science
The level of programming skill required for GCSE may seem daunting to those without a programming background. This professional development aims to take you from novice programmer to competent teacher of Python programming.
Algorithms in GCSE Computer Science
An understanding of algorithms is fundamental to success in computer science. To reach their full potential, students of GCSE computer science need to be confident in using decomposition and abstraction to solve problems. This course centres on the core search and sort algorithms; exploring how they manipulate data.
Data & Computer Systems in GCSE Computer Science
Computer programs are written in a language that humans understand, but what about the computer itself? Every piece of software and the instructions and data it contains is encoded and processed as 1’s and 0’s. This course opens the box, looking at the components, internal architecture and low level instructions needed to make all modern computers function
Networks & Cyber-Security in GCSE Computer Science
Networked computers and cybersecurity issues are the focus of this professional development. Gain comprehensive knowledge of the hardware and software systems that comprise networks, including the globally connected systems forming the internet. We will demystify the numerous protocols, network topologies and key applications used for data transfer between computers.
The Computer Science Accelerator Programme offers free online courses to all teachers and free face-to-face CPD for teachers in state-funded education.
| Teacher Progress | Receive |
| Attend 1st two day face-to-face course | £440 |
| Attend 2nd two day face-to-face course | £440 |
| Complete the programme including 2 online courses and sitting final test | £620 |
| Total Bursary | £1500 |
Teachers in independent schools can access any of our online CPD for free. A fee of £220 per day is payable for face-to-face courses.
Please note that for face-to-face courses you will be taken to STEM Learning to see further details and book.
Online courses are hosted by FutureLearn. If you go through teachcomputing.org to book, these courses will come with a free upgrade. You will need a separate FutureLearn account to sign up for them, please use the same email address as you used for your TeachComputing so that your progress can be tracked.
After you complete the course, go to your dashboard to track your progress towards certification.
Python Programming Essentials in GCSE Computer Science
| Location | Dates |
| Exeter – Bookings now closed |
Day 1 – 16th January, 1000-1600Day 2 – 26th February, 1000-1600 |
| Exeter – Book your place here! |
Day 1 – 13th May, 1000-1600Day 2 – 19th June, 1000-1600 |
| Bournemouth/North Devon | To be announced in the spring term 2020 |
Data & Computer Systems in GCSE Computer Science
| Location | Dates |
| Exeter – Book your place here! |
Day 1 – 12th March, 1000-1600Day 2 – 23rd April, 1000-1600 |
| Bournemouth/North Devon | To be announced in the spring term 2020 |
Networks & Cyber-Security in GCSE Computer Science
| Location | Dates |
| Exeter – Book your place here! |
Day 1 – 6th May, 1000-1600Day 2 – 8th June, 1000-1600 |
| Bournemouth/North Devon | To be announced in the spring term 2020 |
Algorithms in GCSE Computer Science
| Location | Dates |
| Exeter – Book your place here! |
Day 1 – 30th March, 1000-1700Day 2 – 31st March, 1000-1600 |
| Bournemouth/North Devon | To be announced in the spring term 2020 |
