Devon schools awarded Computer Hub status

Three Devon schools have become among the first in England to be awarded official Computer Hub status so they can provide support and specialist training for teachers in the region.

Exeter Mathematics School, Uffculme School and Broadclyst Community Primary School are part of the first 23 Computing Hubs across England and will be a focal point for local computing training for schools. They will also form links with industry and universities.

The scheme is run by the National Centre for Computing Education, set up in November 2018 by the Department for Education to increase the number of pupils in schools and colleges who study computer science at GCSE, AS and A level, particularly girls and those in disadvantaged areas, and to ensure that there is a strong pipeline of digital skills in England.

Liam Cantle, the Hub lead and Exeter Mathematics School Assistant Headteacher, said: "We are incredibly excited to announce our successful bid to become one of the first of 23 National Computing Hubs. Our partnership with Broadclyst Community Primary School and Uffculme School will enable the delivery of tailored support for schools and specialist training to teachers across all key stages.

“We look forward to working closely with STEM Learning, Raspberry Pi Foundation and BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, to meet the National Centre for Computing Education’s vision of a world-leading computing education across the West Country."

Jonathan Bishop, CEO and Executive Headteacher of the Cornerstone Academy Trust, which includes Broadclyst Community Primary School, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of this new collaboration, and look forward to running tailored computer science courses and initiatives for teachers across the county. This initiative links closely with our current Science Learning Partnership work, which we also run through STEM Learning UK, and further supports our aim to make digital technology the basis of both teaching and learning in the region’s schools.”

Chair of the NCCE, Professor Simon Peyton Jones said: “It’s exciting to be announcing the first Hubs. They will be the local face of the National Centre, providing tailored support to all computing teachers (primary, secondary and colleges), to equip them to make the new computing curriculum into an inspirational reality in every classroom in the land.

“Our partnership with teachers is vital to our mission. A single inspired, equipped, valued and supported teacher will influence tens or hundreds of children every day, and thousands over their career.”

For more information, see teachcomputing.org or follow @WeAreComputing on Twitter.