Helping schools to
teach computer
science confidently
The Computer Science Accelerator Programme boosts teachers’ knowledge of computer
science and students' access to expertise, writes programme manager Claire Arbery.
C
omputing is vitally important for
young people today: it contributes
to their personal and intellectual
development and their wider
understanding of the world. The global
economy is increasingly reliant on a digitally
skilled and knowledgeable workforce, and
many young people currently at school will end
up in jobs that do not yet exist.
However, in the UK, most GCSE computer
science is taught by non-specialists. The
subject is only available in half (52%) of
secondary schools in England, and only 11% of
students choose to take it, most of whom are
male. Girls are outnumbered in GCSE computer
science classes by four to one.
The Computer Science Accelerator
Programme has been designed to change
these statistics. We want to empower teachers
to teach GCSE computer science confidently
and to persuade more schools of the
importance of enabling their students to
study it.
Enhancing teachers' subject
knowledge
Our programme is designed for secondary-
school teachers who currently teach computer
science at GCSE, or plan to do so. It is
flexible and highly personalised to fit into
teachers’ schedules, enabling them to study
in a way that works for them, delivered
through a combination of face-to-face and
online courses.
After completing a simple diagnostic test,
which will help to identify any misconceptions
or knowledge gaps, participants can choose
the courses that best meet their needs. They
can select from four face-to-face courses and
50 // PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
12 online courses, and will need to choose at
least two of each as part of the programme,
though there is no limit to the number of
courses they can take.
The programme aims to enhance GCSE
computer science teachers’ subject
knowledge, extending their understanding of
algorithms and data systems, and exploring
computer systems. They can then take their
learning online and unpick network and
cybersecurity issues, create simple systems
that respond to and control the physical world
using a Raspberry Pi, or learn the essentials
of Python programming.
The face-to-face courses are delivered
across England, through our network of
regional delivery partners. Each course is two
days long, with a gap task for participants to
complete back at school in between, giving
them the opportunity to test out and embed
what they have learned. The online courses
can be completed at a time and location that
suit individuals.
We recognise that it can be difficult for
teachers to get out of the classroom to attend
face-to-face courses, so we have worked hard
to minimise costs. The Computer Science
Accelerator Programme and its face-to-face
courses are free to secondary-school teachers
of computing or computer science in English
state-maintained schools who do not hold a
post-A-level qualification in computer science
or a related subject. Online courses are free to
all teachers and form part of the Computer
Science Accelerator Programme.
We offer bursaries to state-maintained
schools and colleges, aiming to contribute
towards the costs associated with attending
professional development, including course
GCSE computer
science is only
available in half
of secondary
schools in
England;
girls are
outnumbered
in classes 4:1