Upgrading to teach the new curriculum

Technology is now essential to everyday life and ‘computational thinking’ is a vital skill when it comes to participating in the digital world. The new computing curriculum which replaces ICT (Information Communication Technology) this September has been specially developed to equip children (in England) with the skills, knowledge and understanding of computing that they will need to participate fully in society.
    
There are now three strands to the new computing curriculum (a core subject for pupils aged five to 16) – Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. The new programme of study teaches students from KS1 to KS4 how to use computers, how computers work, and how to design and build programmes. There is a focus on computational thinking and creativity, as well as scope for creative work in programming and digital media.
    
The change brings with it both challenges and opportunities for schools and teachers. It is vital that teachers get the support they need to prepare for the transition from the ICT curriculum to the new computing curriculum which comes in to force in September. There are a range of resources and sources of support available to help teachers who have concerns over how to deliver the new curriculum.

How CAS can help
Computing at School (CAS) is a collaborative partner with BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (the professional body for people working in IT), and has formal support from other industry partners. CAS aims to promote the teaching of computing at school and supports teachers across the country. CAS membership is free and open to everyone, including teachers, parents, governors, exam boards, industry, professional societies and universities.

The Network of Excellence
CAS, together with BCS (with funding from the Department for Education) is supporting teachers through the Network of Teaching Excellence (NoE) and Barefoot Computing projects. The Network of Excellence aims to deliver continuing professional development (CPD) that is cross referenced to the new National Curriculum for Computing as well as the document for entrants into Teacher Training.

One of the key principles behind the Network of Excellence is local, face-to-face training by teachers for teachers to help them deliver the new curriculum.
    
There are a range of professional development courses now being offered around the country to help meet the needs of the teaching community in all aspects of the new curriculum. Courses may take place in schools, universities and other venues, and are being organised at various times of day – including one-day courses, twilight sessions, evening classes and holiday courses – to be as convenient to teachers as possible.
    
Master teachers
The programme aims to train and develop a significant number of Master Teachers who will in turn, train and support teachers in their local area. The emphasis is very much on face-to-face support, training and networking, backed up by an active website of resources and discussions.
    
All courses offered through this CPD initiative will be delivered by trained and approved providers (Master Teachers) and are evaluated fully to ensure quality.

CAS Master Teachers have been (and are still being) recruited and trained to offer CPD to their local schools. They are experienced teachers, with good subject knowledge of computing. They have the skills needed to support other teachers and can offer advice on how to get ready for the new computing curriculum.
    
The NoE offers teachers many opportunities for professional development. Individual teachers can join CAS (via their website) and schools can join the Network of Excellence. There are 285 lead schools in the NoE offering support and advice. CAS Online can also help teachers get ready to deliver computing at school. The CAS community website offers teachers resources and details of events, as well as a place to ask questions and meet other similarly minded teachers.
    
CAS Online already has almost 10,000 members and supports both secondary and primary teachers.

Teachers can find mini-CPD sessions, support and informal networking opportunities through more than 90 CAS regional hubs that hold termly meetings throughout the UK.

Additional support will be available through the Barefoot Computing project which starts this summer. Funded by the Department for Education, the project will develop computing exemplification resources for primary schoolteachers.
    
These exemplifications will illustrate how progression can be enhanced across other subjects in the curriculum (such as literacy, maths and science for example) by teaching computing. They will also equip teachers with the basic computing subject knowledge and confidence needed to begin the journey towards becoming excellent computing teachers.
    
The changes in computing are exciting and forward-thinking; students will be inspired by what will be taught and this will reap benefits for them and for UK industry in years to come. With the support of BCS and CAS, the hope is that all teachers will feel supported and be able to access the help they need.

Guidelines
To help primary school teachers prepare, CAS, in collaboration with BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and Naace has issued guidelines which include information on resourcing, teaching and assessment, as well as a glossary of computing terms. It provides advice on how to build on current practice and will help teachers understand the new requirements. It also includes help for schools in terms of planning and gives guidance on how best to develop teachers’ skills.

Further information
www.computingatschool.org.uk