National Centre for Computing Education

The National Centre offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to firmly establish computer science as a foundational subject discipline that will enable all our young people to be active participants in the complex digital world that surrounds them.

Simon Peyton Jones, NCCE chair

The University of Sunderland has been appointed to be a regional delivery partner for the newly established National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) for the North East Region. 

Working in partnership with a network of delivery partners across England, we provide local expertise in computing teaching for schools and colleges, facilitating CPD and providing school-to-school support. We offer courses for primary and secondary teachers across all key stages, supporting teachers regardless of their level of computing knowledge.

Please get in touch to find out how we can support the needs of you, your department and your school.

Primary Programming and Algorithms

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education.

Programming and algorithms are fundamental to the primary computing curriculum. Algorithms are clear and unambiguous instructions to solve problems which can often be translated using a programming language for a computer to follow. By thinking computationally, children can harness the power of computers to extend their capabilities.

During this one-day professional development, you will discover engaging and effective ways to help children use computational thinking. You will be equipped to develop their knowledge of how technology works, and the skills to make computers follow instructions in simple programs. A range of approaches will be explored, including ‘unplugged’ activities that require no computer, and multimedia activities that allow creativity and promote widespread engagement.

Dates:
26 November 2019
Location: University of Sunderland
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Dates:
5 December 2019
Location: Marden City Learning Centre, Hartington Road, Cullercoats, NE30 3RZ
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Dates:
10 December 2019
Location: The Word, 45 Market Place, NE33 1JF, South Shields
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Dates:
12 December 2019
Location: Helen Mcardle House, Helen Mcardle House, SR1 3QR Sunderland
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Dates:
13 December 2019
Location: Ashington Town Hall, 65 Station Road, NE63 8RX, Ashington
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Outstanding teaching of KS1 Computing

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education.

Computing is a broad subject, made up of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. This two-day professional development complements our one-day programming and algorithms event, giving you confidence in teaching the whole of the key stage 1 curriculum.

You will develop your knowledge of internet-connected computer systems, from hardware to online safety. You will take-away engaging ways to use computers and software effectively, supporting other areas of curriculum learning. Combining popular and accessible tools, you will develop the skills and ideas to support creative projects produced by your children. You'll also discover age-appropriate data collection, analysis and sharing methods and projects.

Dates:
15 November 2019
22 November 2019
Location: Ashington Town Hall, 65 Station Road, NE63 8RX, Ashington
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Dates:
20 November 2019
27 November 2019
Location: Teeside University, Vicarage Road, DL1 1JW, Darlington
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Outstanding teaching of KS2 Computing

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education.

Through key stage 2, the computing curriculum aims to deepen understanding of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. Children become more skilled, and critical, users of technology, choosing tools that helps them achieve their goals while developing safe, and acceptable, online behaviours.

This professional development complements the one-day programming and algorithms event. Over two days you will broaden your understanding across the whole computing curriculum. You will strengthen your knowledge of computer systems and networks, including the internet and technologies such as search engines and email that make use of it. You will demystify computers, developing understanding of data fundamentals such as binary, and learning how the parts of a computer system handle this data to carry out useful tasks.

Date:
22 November 2019
16 December 2019
Location: The Word, 45 Market Place, NE33 1JF, South Shields
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Dates:
27 November 2019
11 December 2019
Location: Helen Mcardle House, Helen Mcardle House, SR1 3QR, Sunderland
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Dates:
4 December 2019
11 December 2019
Location: St Mary's Inn, St Mary's Park, NE61 6BL, Morpeth
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Dates:
6 December 2019
13 December 2019
Location: The Workplace, Aycliffe Business Park, DL5 6AH, Newton Aycliffe
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Creative Computing for KS3

Designed for Heads of Computing, and others with a key role in teaching and leading computing, this three-day course will help you plan and deliver an inclusive curriculum appropriate for all pupils in Key Stage 3. Whether you are an experienced teacher or leader of computing looking to reinvigorate the subject, or have come to computing from another subject area or after training, this course will give you the confidence to forward plan and to raise the profile of the subject.

The three-day course will provide you with the theory, background and practical application to design and build a Key Stage 3 curriculum that leads to increased engagement and student success, inspiring and preparing students to study the subject to GCSE and beyond. The course is based on firm evidence and experience, and will help you develop an understanding of what works best in the context of your own school.

KS4 Computing for all

Computing is a National curriculum foundation subject and a vital aspect of a broad and balanced curriculum for all learners. Pathways through computing have reduced for some students, however, leading to a narrowing of their future options. Computer science GCSE is at the heart of provision for KS4, but evidence shows an overall reduction in access to computing education following KS3.

This action-oriented professional development course explores the options available to teachers in different school contexts. The key outcome is an individualised plan to provide a high quality computing education in KS4 for all students – working within current timetabling arrangements and also planning for a comprehensive qualification suite that attracts significant numbers of learners.

Dates:
27 November 2019
Location: Ashington Town Hall, 65 Station Road, NE63 8RX, Ashington
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Dates:
3 December 2019
Location: Teeside University, Vicarage Road, DL1 1JW, Darlington
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GCSE Algorithms

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education, and forms part of the Computer Science Accelerator programme. 

An understanding of algorithms is fundamental to success in computer science. To reach their full potential, students of GCSE computer science need to be confident in using decomposition and abstraction to solve problems. This course centres on the core search and sort algorithms, exploring how they manipulate data structures and comparing the relative efficiency of different methods.

Dates:
2 December 2019
10 December 2019
Location: Ponteland High School, Callerton Lane Ponteland NE20 9EY, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
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Date:
6 December 2019
13 December 2019
Location: Education Development Centre, Durham County Council, DL16 6YP, Spennymoor
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GCSE Data and Computer Systems

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education, and forms part of the Computer Science Accelerator programme.

Computer programs are written in a language that humans understand, but what about the computer itself? Every piece of software, and the instructions and data it contains, is made up of 1s and 0s, pushed around the parts of a computer system.

This course opens the box, looking at the components of a computer, what they do and how they work together in computer systems. You’ll learn about the processor that sits at the centre, as well as memory, storage and the other key pieces of hardware.

GCSE Networks and Cybersecurity

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education, and forms part of the Computer Science Accelerator programme.

Networked computers, and cybersecurity issues, are the focus of this two-day professional development. Gain comprehensive knowledge of the hardware and software systems that comprise networks, including the globally connected systems forming the internet. We will demystify the numerous protocols, network topologies and key applications used for data transfer between computers, and help you make learning relevant and engaging to students.

Based in this knowledge of networks, you’ll also develop your knowledge of computer security including measures to guard against a range of threats, both technical and behavioural. You’ll learn about vulnerabilities – where they come from, how they are exploited, and what can be done about them; knowledge which helps inform your students and make them safer online citizens.

GCSE Python Programming Essentials

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education, and forms part of the Computer Science Accelerator programme.

The level of programming skill required for GCSE becomes demanding, and may seem daunting for those without a programming background. This professional development aims to take you from novice programmer to competent teacher of Python programming. You’ll be walked through the fundamentals of programming, with lots of hands-on experience under the guidance of highly successful teachers of computer science.

Dates:
20 November 2019
26 November 2019
Location: Ponteland Community Middle School, Callerton Lane, Ponteland, NE20 9EY, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
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Dates:
22 November 2019 
27 November 2019
Location: Education Development Centre, Durham County Council, DL16 6YP, Spennymoor
Book here

GCSE Computer Science – Developing Outstanding Teaching

Outstanding teaching of GCSE computer science results from strong subject knowledge, and a detailed grasp of effective pedagogy. This evidence-based CPD helps teachers of GCSE to develop their classroom practice on a number of fronts, equipping them to get the best from their students.

Over four days you’ll go deep into teaching and learning. You’ll learn effective ways to teach and track attainment in programming using Python, as well as approaches that help students learn subject-specific, knowledge-rich content. You’ll develop deep conceptual understanding to pass on through your teaching, helping you to engage with the highest performing students with confidence.