West Midlands

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Welcome to CAS Regional Centre West Midlands

Birmingham City University (BCU) has fully backed the CAS initiative to promote and support the teaching of Computer Science (CS) in Schools over a number of years. As a Department of Computer Science we recognise the need for these skills, not only in our future undergraduates, but across all disciplines and at all levels. Today’s children will be working in a world of technology that will be invented by tomorrow's Computer Science graduates.

Within our school we have a team, who for over 15 years have been running an education and support service for other schools, colleges and universities across several programs. This experience has given us a great deal of insight and knowledge in how to provide education, support teachers and promote academic programs. It is this same team that has led the way with the CAS initiative, migrating to the broader curricula at a different level and delivering to a wider range of teachers. However, the same basic principles apply. Teachers need sound subject knowledge, good practical skills in delivering and managing hands on activities, a set of resources that they can pick up and use, and last but certainly not least, a support network they can rely on to offer help and advice as needed.

To this end we; have trained Master Teachers (MT), run a CAS hub, won a DfE funded project to develop and deliver CS resources, deliver CPD sessions, run school enrichment activities and host STEM / CS events at the University.

Our links with our School of Education also ensure our activities impact on the trainee teachers coming through as well as raise awareness of careers in education for our CS Graduates. The broader links are also working to help school children become aware of the wider role of computing in the workplace and society as well as routes through FE and HE to rewarding careers.

Regional Centre Info

No upcoming events this month

September 2017

October 2017

  • Oct 7 from 9:00AM to 5:00PM
    • Preparing to Teach GCSE Computing 9 – 1

    Birmingham, B42 2SY
    With the change in the assessment for GCSE Computing, our training will bring the skills and confidence needed to teach the new specifications in a fun and engaging way. This course is ideally suited for teachers who have been teaching GCSE Computing as w

November 2017

  • Nov 4 9:00AM until Nov 5 5:00PM
    • Two-Day Python Programming Courses for GCSE and A Level

    Birmingham, B42 2SY
    A CPD course for ICT teachers of all abilities, this will equip you with the skills and confidence to teach, in an interesting and engaging way, the GCSE CS curriculum, including the programming content and skills required for approaching examination ques

January 2018

June 2018

  • Jun 7 from 4:30PM to 6:30PM
    • CAS Dudley Hub Meeting

    Dudley, DY6 7AD
    Summer Term Meeting (with Stuart Davison Leading a Session)

All Events

CAS Regional Centre West Midlands covers Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Herefordshire, Sandwell, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Walsall, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton, Worcestershire

CAS West Midlands (Birmingham City University)
Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG

Phone: 0121 3004013 or 0121 3317546
Email: caswestmidlands@computingatschool.org.uk

Coordinators

Regional Centre News

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North Worcestershire Hub

Published by K. Buncle at 2017-03-21 12:16:52 +0000

North Worcestershire hub meeting in February

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Rocket Car Challenge

Published by K Buncle at 2017-03-21 12:02:30 +0000

Bloodhound Rocket Car challenge visited Heartlands Academy in January

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Python Introduction

Published by Duncan Maidens at 2016-12-08 12:30:48 +0000

Introduction to Python training day last week.

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Introducing and Supporting Computer Science (A School's Journey)

Published by Duncan Maidens at 2016-06-09 13:19:41 +0100

This event is aimed at Head Teachers and the Senior Leaders who are interested in learning more about the introduction of Computer Science (CS) to the National Curriculum.

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Katrina Smith receiving her Leaders Badge at the successful launch of the Shrewsbury CAS Hub

Published by Duncan Maidens at 2016-06-02 13:04:48 +0100

Richard Smith, (Telford CAS Hub) presenting the CAS Hub Leaders Badge to Katrina Smith at the first meeting at Shrewsbury

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Space Invaders on a Microbit

Published by Duncan Maidens at 2016-04-08 08:26:42 +0100

At a Birmingham City University CAS event. Space Invaders on a Microbit ! If you ever wondered what you could do with Microbit, view the video: https://youtu.be/qtPmawMdgQ0 via @YouTube @bcupress

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Micro Python on the Microbit

Published by Duncan Maidens at 2016-04-08 08:09:26 +0100

Recent demonstration at Birmingham City University of Micro Python on the Microbit by Shahbaz Farooq.

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Nikki Lockett receiving her Master Teacher Badge

Published by Karin Rade at 2016-03-30 10:29:39 +0100

Duncan Maidens presenting Nikki Lockett with her Master Teacher Badge at 4core meeting in Stoke, March 17 2016.

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Presentation of Master Teacher and Hub Leader badges

Published by Stuart Davison at 2016-03-29 00:13:41 +0100

Presentation to Dawn Walker of MT and Hub leader badges at the Walsall Hub Meeting 16th March 2016

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STEM activities at the NEC

Published by Karin Rade at 2016-03-23 11:05:32 +0000

CAS Westmids CRC supporting the Digital school House stand at the Big Bang Fair

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Presentation of Master Teacher badge

Published by Richard Pickering at 2016-03-16 09:59:00 +0000

Duncan Maidens presenting John Palmer with his Master Teacher badge. Congratulations John!

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Presentation of Master Teacher and Hub Leader badges

Published by Richard Pickering at 2016-03-09 12:22:26 +0000

Duncan Maidens and Stuart Davison presenting John Palmer and Matt Warne with their Hub Leader and Master Teacher badges. Congratulations!

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Rebecca Franks being presented with her Hub Leader badge

Published by Richard Pickering at 2016-03-09 12:14:44 +0000

Peter Kemp from Computing A level Wikibook presenting Hub Leader badge to Rebecca Franks.

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Presentation of Computing at School Master Certificate

Published by Richard Pickering at 2016-02-23 15:03:16 +0000

Duncan Maidens presenting Shahbaz Farooq with his Computing at School Master Certificate.

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Presentation of Hub Leader and Master Teacher Badges

Published by at 2016-02-23 11:46:58 +0000

Duncan Maidens presenting Natalie Stewart and Keith Buncle with their Master Teacher badges, and Nick Frost with his Hub Leader badge.

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Presentation of Hub Leader Badge

Published by Richard Pickering at 2016-02-23 11:39:19 +0000

Stuart Davison presenting Shahbaz Farooq with his Hub Leader badge during the CAS Birmingham Central Hub meeting.

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Introduction to Linux Course

Published by Richard Pickering at 2016-02-23 11:30:55 +0000

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CAS WM Launch

Published by Stuart Davison at 2015-11-13 13:06:26 +0000

Birmingham City University hosted the launch of the Computing At School Regional Centre for the West Midlands (CAS WM) on Monday 9th November.

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