Friends of Computing At School
CAS Sponsors
Friends of CAS
Becoming a Friend of Computing At School allows organisations to publicly express their commitment to the computing education of our young people. To become a Friend of CAS please read the CAS Friends' Charter and fill out this form here.
Friends of CAS Charter
- Friends of Computing At School enthusiastically endorse the CAS mission
- Friends of Computing At School promote and support excellence in computer science education
- Friends of Computing At School make some active, tangible, pro-bono contribution to computing education at school. The nature and scale of this contribution will vary widely, but the principle is one of active participation rather than passive support.
- Friends of Computing At School encourage participation in the CAS community by their employees
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (BCS Academy)
The BCS Academy of Computing is a learned society dedicated to advancing computing as an academic discipline. The Academy mission is to advance the creation, study and application of knowledge in computing for the benefit of society. This mission is a core component of the Chartered Institute for IT’s Royal Charter and is a key pillar of the Institute’s strategic goals. The Academy aims to develop and support an open and inclusive community that brings together scholars, researchers and professionals, irrespective of background, experience or any other factors. By ensuring computing knowledge is nurtured, invented and innovated across these sectors, the Academy provides a platform to drive the success of computing in the future.
The Education Fellowship
The Education Fellowship is a Multi-Academy Trust that fully supports computing education in its schools. We run special interest groups for our primary ICT coordinators and secondary computer scientists and sponsor an annual award for programming. Last year's awards were for Key Stages 3 and 4. This year the programming competition is for using Scratch in Key Stage 2 in a creative, interactive and original way. This year we are also a sponsoring two trips- one to The University of Oxford Computer Science department for secondary students, the other to Bletchley Park for primary pupils.
Technocamps
Established in 2003, Technocamps is a pan-Wales schools outreach programme based in the Computer Science Department at Swansea University with hubs at the Universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor and South Wales (Glamorgan) as well as Glyndwr (Wrexham), Cardiff and Cardiff Metropolitan Universities. Apart from day-long campus-based Workshops and in-school Technoclubs, we have two further activities which address the recent computing-focused curriculum changes: 1. Technoteach provides totally-free teachers training at all levels. The Technoteach modules have been accredited by Accredited Skills for Industry for the ASFI Certificate in Teaching Computing, as well as recognised by the BCS for the CPD component of the BCS Certificate in Computer Science Teaching. During 2013 we delivered 11 20-hour modules to 145 teachers. 2. Playground Computing sees us going into Primary Schools and delivering full-day Workshops to the children (and their teachers) which explores the fundamentals of Computing in a playful interactive way. During 2014 we carried out 80 Workshops at 50 Primary Schools for 3600 pupils (and 100 of their teachers).
School of Computer Science, The University of Manchester
The annual UK Schools Computer Animation Competition is all about enthusing schoolchildren about Computer Science, and to use computers creatively. Who can enter? Students aged 7-19 at UK schools and colleges. It’s free to enter. Teachers: register here. How to enter? Entrants create an original key-frame computer animation, up to one minute in length, using eligible software including: Alice, Flash, Scratch, Blender, Autodesk 3D Studio Max, Autodesk Maya, and Serif DrawPlus. Entries can be from individuals or from small teams. Prizes are awarded by age category (KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5).
iCompute
iCompute is a creative computing scheme of work fully matched to the National Curriculum for Computing at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Using a rich variety of software, tools and the very latest technologies, it develops the knowledge, skills and understanding of the teacher as well as the pupils. We are teachers as well as computer scientists and we passionately believe in exciting children about the art as well as the science of computing. Our scheme provides comprehensive, imaginative, step-by-step lesson plans and all the materials schools need to teach primary computing creatively and with confidence.
The Council of Professors and Heads of Computing
CPHC, and their individual members, provide an HE perspective to shape CAS's work in schools, giving them direction for students' progression through and beyond School and College towards University. We also work with CAS to consider how the new generation of Computing-literate students will allow us to raise our game at UG level.
Computer Science for Fun (cs4fn), Queen Mary University of London
Computing is Fun. We develop resources for teachers and students that focus on the inspirational side of the subject. cs4fn's aim is to share our passion about all things to do with Computer Science and especially to show that it is an exciting subject that is great to learn about just for the fun of it. We produce a free magazine twice a year as well as a series of special booklets (for example we have produced three magic books on magic tricks that teach computational thinking and computer science). We have also produced magazines on Electronic Engineering and Audio Engineering and their links with computing. All are sent free to schools across the UK. We write lots more articles that go on the website. There are now well over 1000 articles on all kinds of fun topics. Online pdfs of our fun magazines and booklets have been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. We also develop activity sheets and run workshops for teachers, especially on unplugged approaches to teaching.
Metaswitch Networks
We work closely with schools and other organisations to support computing education. Some specific examples are as follows. * Participated in Festival of Code organised by Young Rewired State where we mentored a group of children to create a software project. * Our Chief Scientist, Chris Mairs, regularly holds BCS interviews to help select those who should be offered teaching scholarships. In addition, he is the Chairman of the UK Forum for Computing Education. * Our chairman, John Lazar, is on the Education and Training Committee at the Royal Academy of Engineering. * Our employees are actively encouraged to set up code clubs in local schools (where we have nine underway and going great!). * Our Director of IT Services and Company Systems, Clive Partridge, has attended a recent meeting at the BCS about the new A level curriculum.
Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA)
The Computer Science Teachers Association is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. CSTA provides opportunities for K–12 teachers and students to better understand the computing disciplines and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and learn.
Codio
Codio is the cloud coding & content platform for teaching computer science in schools, combining a cloud IDE coding platform with rich curriculum-based course content & extensive support for teachers. Codio has partnered with leading UK exam board, OCR, to create learning resources aligned to the KS2/3 and GCSE curricula - covering not just programming but the full curriculum. Codio is also supporting teacher training with the offer of free platform licences for teachers engaged in the UKIE Digital Schoolhouse & the BCS Certificate in Teaching Computing.
YOUSRC
YOUSRC is a free learn-to-code resource for schools. It uses a special easy-to-learn programming language called ELC which has been used by 20,000 students in the UK since 2010. The earliest YOUSRC coders are typically in year 7, the highest number of YOUSRC coders are in year 9, and it is used very successfully by schools year after year for GCSE Computing in years 10 and 11 - with many students achieving A* using the tool. Key features about YOUSRC make it great for schools and students to use... - It is fully online, so there is no software needed to be installed on school computers or on computers in students homes - The language very deliberately enforces only one instruction happening each line of code, which makes the code much easier than some other languages for students (and teachers!) to read as well as write - The code is checked before it is run to minimise run-time problems occuring, and the error messages are aimed at children understanding them (we don't say things like 'syntax error on line 123') - There are a series of spy-based code missions that are assessed by us for teachers - Teachers can request teacher privileges allowing them to create student accounts and access everything that students are doing - Apps run on PC's and unchanged on Android devices - Apps can even be published to Facebook - YOUSRC is fervently child-safe and family-friendly. Whilst people who are registered may contribute to the site through publishing apps, images, sounds, files, forum posts, and feedback on apps - all of these are moderated before being published and there is no means for one registered person to contact another - We provide specialist support for teachers such as webinars or problem solving by email. All support for students is through the YOUSRC help forum.
The Learning Machine Ltd
TLM is a relatively new awarding organisation. We are producing innovative low cost qualifications for schools in the digital space and we are making all the supporting resources available freely under non-restrictive licenses. We put time and effort into fund-raising to support the development of open education resources (OERs) eg through EU grant funding and we manage the free baseline testing and progress monitoring project. Our Responsible Officer contributes to the assessment working group and in the CAS forums.
CPD for Teachers
CPD for Teachers organises #TweachCode, the regular Twitter chat for computing teachers every term-time Monday at 8pm. Hosted by our senior computing trainers, the hour-long sessions provides an opportunity for teachers to share ideas and tried-and-tested solutions to the challenges presented by teaching the computing curriculum. There's a different theme each week and all sessions are archived.
Rising Stars
Rising Stars is an educational publishers that has been developing an award-winning range of books, teaching resources and software for over 10 years. Our mission is to bring high-quality resources to schools that will inspire teachers and learners. Computing is a key focus for Rising Stars and our award-winning programme, Switched on Computing, has been written to help every teacher deliver the new computing curriculum with confidence. Written and trialled by CAS members and quality assured by a CAS nominated team, Switched on Computing includes over 50 creative projects from Early Years through to Year 6 and eSafety is embedded in every activity. Included in the resource are bitesize CPD videos, step-by-step guidance and software demos, to ensure that teachers of all levels of experience can deliver high-quality and engaging computing lessons. Rising Stars has worked alongside Computing At School to create several free resources to help schools get to grips with the requirements of the new curriculum, to develop subject knowledge and to build on current practice. These include Computing in the national curriculum: A guide for primary teachers, Quick Start Computing for Primary Schools and Switched Computing: Take your first easy steps with Microsoft. These free resources aim develop teachers knowledge of computing and develop their own inspiring and engaging computing lessons and to ensure that every child is provided with an outstanding computing education.
AmazingICT
Richard works in 8 different schools every week supporting the integration of technology in to the curriculum. He has created a web page that is a 'one stop shop' for resources that is well used both nationally and internationally. Richard works in different areas of the country leading courses and running workshops on use of mobile technology, e-safety and innovative ways of teaching maths and science using technology. He can be contacted via email or phone to discuss new projects such as conferences and workshops.
OCR Exams
We’re passionate about education and believe in its power to transform and enrich lives so learners gain the valuable skills, aspirations and confidence needed for the working world. Our Computer Science qualifications are relevant to the modern and changing world of computer science. We’re committed to helping learners apply computational thinking, knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real-world problems. We have consulted with companies such as Google, Microsoft and Cisco, as well as teachers and higher education academics and organisations like Computing At School (CAS) to ensure that the Computer Science qualification content is relevant and meets the growing demand for digital skills worldwide. Our partnership with specialist education technology company, Codio, provides schools with a cloud based programming and course content platform where students can learn the theory and apply it in real life situations, in any computing language. OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) is a not for profit awarding body, part of the Cambridge Assessment Group which is a department of the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge Coding Academy
Cambridge Coding Academy has its mission to develop personalised techniques and technologies to make computing education more accessible to all, both in terms of learners’ individual differences (aptitudes, interests, learning styles), and in terms of financial viability. Our approach is evidence-based in that we ourselves learn from the responses of learners to our teaching methods. These methodological findings and techniques developed from them will be shared with the teaching community through research outputs, teaching guides, and online tools. In order to make computing education more accessible and attractive to those from less privileged backgrounds, we also run free workshops in partnership with industry (e.g. http://blog.cambridgecoding.com/post/121676707240/press-release-cambridge-coding-weekend).
Retro Computers Ltd
We have launched a new initiative called 'Every Child Can Code', which facilitates teachers (and parents) in their teaching of coding to children. Our web site provides a course of lessons that teach coding. In addition there are free downloads, including a series of three PDF text/reference books, and some interactive software tools that aid the child in their coding - there is a friendly software coding teacher" that tells the child when they make a coding error and helps the child to correct errors."
just2easy ltd
J2code is the latest tool from Just2easy. It is a free, easy to use tool that enables users to exceed the programming elements of the Computing Curriculum for key stage one and two. Created using HTML5, J2Code allows users to access the tools from any modern device including ipads any time, any where via a web browser. J2Code comes with 3 coding engines. JIT5 Turtle is designed to introduce the basic elements of creating algorithms for foundation stage and key stage one. Turtle allows the user to switch between simple and advanced mode scripting. Simple mode enables the user to see their algorithm actioned as they program their sprite. The advanced mode enables the user to create their algorithm prior to it being actioned. With drag and drop debug functionality, multiple sprites, and templates Turtle is the perfect starting point for pupils to understand the key components of programming and logic. Logo is based on the popular Logo programming language. This takes users seamlessly from Turtle into a more formal programming engine. Broken down into 3 levels Logo can take a user from a simple Turtle activity to creating complex mathematical tessellations and more. Level One introduces movement and pen colour instructions without hindering the user with code.. Level Two introduces the scripting elements as the relevant icons are selected. This enables the youngest users to start to understand the correlation between the script and the movement of the sprite. Level Three takes the pupil into a full blown Logo coding environment and introduces them to x and y axis, angles and simple procedures. Visual is based on the javascript language using blocks to link the scripts together. The drag and drop functionality allows users to experiment and build script quickly. Visual has 3 distinct levels that takes the pupil from the very basics of moving a sprite around the canvas and producing an output to creating sophisticated games with multiple sprites, interaction and counting facilities. Level One introduces the movement facility and basic output similar to Turtle and Logo but introduces basic repeat routines that allows the pupil to develop multiple routines within one script. Level Two introduces the important elements of events and sensing thereby allows pupils to have multiple sprites to begin to interact and react. Level Three introduces the pupil to variables and procedures thereby allowing sprites to interact and share data via the broadcast element. Visual comes with preloaded sprites and backgrounds that the pupil can choose and alternate between to allow sprites to animate and move between backgrounds. Algorithms can be shared easily using the link button which produces a QR code and url link that can be shared with any user. Thereby allowing projects to be shared and edited within a community of users at home, school using any modern device including chrome books and ipads. J2code also comes with free lesson resources, videos and examples from key stage one to two so that teachers can use the examples as part of their lessons. It is easy to share work that has been created using J2code, simply select the link icon and print out the QR code for pupils to gain access to the examples, teacher or pupil made resources. J2code encourages users to share their code and to build upon each others work using the link function. The innovative use of qr codes means that pupils can build up their e-portfolio of work easily using the free version of the tools. Work is saved on our servers and can be accessed and resaved at any point in the future. All they need is the url or qr code to get going and to continue with their work, j2code also keeps all the revision history so teachers and pupils can see the progress that they have made. Negating the need for usernames and passwords j2code is accessible by even the youngest user. As part of the free offering, j2code comes with a number of pre-made lesson resources and examples so that even the most nervous of teachers can quickly get up to speed with the coding elements for their class. With a number of additional resources available from Barefoot computing and Code Club there is ample opportunity for teachers and pupils to explore the opportunities that Code avails a modern curriculum.
CodeBug
We are supporting Primary and Secondary schools by developing resources, training teachers and running workshops covering many aspects of the computer science curriculum, in exciting and engaging ways. CodeBug was born out of our passion for teaching kids (and adults!) how to code in a fun and 'hands-on' manner. CodeBug is a cute, programmable and wearable device designed to overcome the fear factor to introduce simple programming and electronics concepts to anyone, at any age. Developed to allow even a complete beginner to create their first program in just a few minutes, CodeBug can also be used to teach the fundamentals of physical computing, as well as encourage independent learning thanks to the easy-to-use website. Free supporting resources for teachers are also available on our website.
Code Club
Code Club is a charity that aim to give every child the opportunity to learn to code, no matter who they are or where they come from. Founded in 2012, we work with teachers, parents and volunteers to develop a network of free after school clubs. Code Club works to give children aged 9-11 an outlet to build and share their ideas, so they can learn to engage actively in creating technology, rather than just being passive consumers. We provide project materials and a volunteering framework to support Code Clubs across the UK and in 80 countries around the world, so you don’t need to be a coding expert to run a club. Our projects are step by step guides, which provide structured and fun content for your clubs.
Promoting and supporting excellence in computer science education
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