Introducing Computing At School An Overview Lee Willis Level 1 Master Teacher Computing At School

How CAS Started Something is wrong – but I feel powerless Something is wrong – but I feel powerless

How CAS started If we get together, perhaps we can get something done

Computing at School  Simply a group of individuals, concerned about the state of computing education in our schools  Including: − Teachers − Industry (eg. Google, Microsoft) ‏ − University academics − Members of exam board (eg. AQA) ‏ − Members of professional societies (eg. BCS) ‏ − Parents − Local educational advisers − Teacher trainers  Varied backgrounds, with common concerns

What is CAS doing? Computing: a curriculum for schools Influencing national policy Directly support teachers “on the ground”

The Discussion Forum

CAS Regional Hubs

CAS Events

CAS newsletter

Primary Guidance notes

CAS conference

A national programme of professional development for teachers of Computer Science

Phase 1  £200k seed funding Sept 2012  Over 600 schools  70 universities  120+ Lead Schools  28 CAS Master Teachers  250+ teachers CPD courses  700+ hours of CPD delivered

Phase 2  £2 million (2 years – but 5 year project)  600 Master Teachers  Primary and secondary  Each MT supporting 40 schools  Stability of GCSE numbers  Development of classroom ready resources  Towards a self-sustaining model

Network of Excellence Overview

Knowledge & Skills to develop Computing Programme of Study What a teacher should know

 Two options  Level 1 (Trainee) Master Teacher  Level 2 Master Teacher  Are you?  Primary or secondary teacher in a state maintained school?  To develop your skills and knowledge of computing in the new National Curriculum?  Experienced, ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ teachers  Confidently engage with your peers in a professional environment  Design and deliver practical and interactive workshops for teachers with appropriate course material?  Passionate about sharing best practice in teaching and learning? CAS Master Teacher

What can you do?  Scenario 1: Your Computing/ICT department need training to deliver the new curriculum  Scenario 2: Your Computing/ICT department teachers are fairly confident that they can deliver the new curriculum  Scenario 3: Your Computing/ICT department has expertise which could support other schools

Scenario 1: Your Computing/ICT Staff need training 1.Teachers should join CAS (individuals) 2.Your school should join the NoE (schools) 3.Teachers should then contact their Master Teacher (contact details on CAS Online) 4.Schools will be notified about CPD opportunities (or can find them on CAS Online). 5.Teachers should attend local hub meetings to find support from other teachers 6.Teachers will need time and support to attend CPD and assimilate new skills

Scenario 2: Your Computing/ICT Staff are Fairly confident 1.Teachers should join CAS(as before) 2.Your school should join the NoE(as before) 3.Offer your school as a venue to a local CAS Master Teacher to run training. This will support your staff in increasing their confidence in supporting others. 4.The new CAS Certificate in Computer Science teaching can offer teachers recognition for their skills and knowledge in this new curriculum area. 5.Facilitate discussion at departmental level about curriculum change; allow time to disseminate CPD 6.Encourage an atmosphere where teachers can try out new resources and approaches ‘safely’ 7.Apply for the Level 1 Master Teacher

Scenario 3: Your Computing/ICT department have expertise 1.One of your teachers could apply to become a CAS Level 2 Master Teacher 2.Your school could apply to become a Lead School 3.As a Lead School you could support other local schools, particularly primary schools in your area. 4.You could offer CPD to other local schools, in conjunction with Master Teachers. 5.Give staff time to support non-specialist staff

Supporting teachers in other ways  Hub meetings – there are 90 CAS Hubs who hold termly meetings after school to support staff and facilitate networking  CAS Online – has a repository of teaching resources and discussions on all topics relating to the Computing curriculum  CAS Online – join the discussion

Finally  Look out for a link I will be posting soon on the forum assessing individual needs.  Focused CPD will be created in areas of need and then offered soon. 