Here at Code Club HQ, we’ve been talking about our New Year’s resolutions, and we decided on this one: we’re going to support 2000 primary schools to create new Code Clubs across the UK in 2019.

Why we want to support 2000 new Code Clubs in schools

According to a report from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Digital Sector contributed £130.5bn to the UK economy in 2017, an increase by a third since 2010 (£98.2bn in 2010). The Department for Education (DfE) also estimates 1.2 million more people with specialist digital skills are needed by 2022. Schools play a critical role in ensuring the next generation has the technological skills needed to help maintain the UK’s position as a leading global digital economy, and teaching coding in schools is key.

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Where we are now

• 5000 primary schools in the UK have registered with us.
• Since 2012, over half a million primary school children have taken part in a Code Club, developing skills in teamwork, resilience and problem solving.
• In 2018, a record two million projects were created by young people in Code Clubs sparking their curiosity and passion for technology.

What the educators say

Mia Chapman, a Code Club educator, launched her club two years ago and has been overwhelmed by its success.

“When I opened my club, seats were immediately filled, and other students want to know when they can join – it’s going from strength to strength.

“All children should have an opportunity to learn to code, no matter who they are and where they are from, enabling them to reach the same level as their peers and prepare them for the future.”

A final word from Maria, Director of Code Club

“We’re really excited to have engaged so many children in creative digital making. The children always tell me how much fun Code Club is and it’s great to see them learning to think creatively, and develop skills for their future.

“We encourage teachers across the UK to help us achieve our pledge to inspire another 30,000 children in 2019 by running a Code Club.”

If you’re a teacher who wants to start a Code Club in your school and enhance your and your pupils’ digital confidence, get started today at www.codeclub.org, or get in touch with us via hello@codeclub.org so we can help you directly!

Scratch 3.0 has landed, and the pupils at Andoversford Primary School in Gloucestershire have been testing it out with their volunteer Laura Sach, who’s one of the educators at Raspberry Pi .

With the arrival of Scratch 3.0 comes the option to use the much-loved programming tool on a tablet. At Andoversford Primary School Code Club, the children helped us test out our updated Code Club projects on the school’s bank of iPads. The club normally uses laptops, but last term’s participants worked through the Code Club Scratch module 1 using the beta version of Scratch 3.0 on iPads, and they gave us their feedback.

“As someone without a background in tech, I found the new interface much easier to use, and found myself coding alongside the pupils.”
– Rachel Bradley-McKay, Head Teacher

Why Andoversford Primary School accepted the challenge

Head Teacher Rachel Bradley-McKay who runs the Code Club told us: “We decided to trial the beta version of Scratch 3 as our iPads are often more reliable than the laptops in school. Plus, the children were thrilled to be involved at this test stage!”

The testing went really well

The children had no trouble finding the Scratch 3.0 code blocks and tools they needed — even the ones that have moved or look slightly different to their Scratch 2.0 counterparts.

“I have been really impressed with how the children have been able to develop their problem solving skills, adapting project instructions to suit the new platform.”
– Rachel Bradley-McKay, Head Teacher

Code Club volunteer Laura said: “The children have really enjoyed using Scratch 3 on the iPad, and our projects now certainly contain more roars and ghostly howls recorded by the children themselves! They have found the interface changes very straightforward to get to grips with, and they can’t wait to tackle more of the projects next term.”

The children loved it

We had some really positive and enthusiastic feedback from the children:

• “I think that Scratch 3 is a lot easier on the iPads, and it is a lot quicker.” – Jake
• “The new Scratch has improved a lot compared to Scratch 2 — I really enjoyed testing it. I also found it much easier to use. I think Scratch 3 is amazing!” –Chris
• “Scratch 3 on the iPads is so much easier — the sprites are infinitely better, and it is much more advanced while being easier to use.” – Elliott

Laura’s top tips for using Scratch 3.0 on tablets

• Make sure you’ve installed the latest updates on your tablets before you start.
• The Scratch 3.0 interface looks a little different: you will now find the Stage to the right-hand side. Print out our free guide to the new interface and put it up in your club space.
• Remember e-safety! Tablets make it very easy to take pictures and record your voice to make an extra cool project, but make sure the children aren’t giving away personal information.
• If you have iPad minis, use them in landscape mode to fit everything you need onto the small screen.

Try it out for yourself today

We’ve updated all the free Code Club Scratch projects to make them compatible to Scratch 3.0 — you’ll find them on our projects page. Why not try one out on a tablet and share your creation with us via Twitter or Facebook? We’d love to see what you make!

Adamsdown Primary School in Cardiff, Wales, launched a Code Club two years ago, for Year 6 pupils. Teacher Jessica Davies describes the club’s team of volunteers as fun, dedicated, and ambitious — so much so that they will be setting up a second Code Club for Year 5 pupils this year.

Practising classroom skills at Code Club

The children at Adamsdown get introduced to Scratch as part of the school’s IT scheme of work. Jessica knows that some children who attend the Code Club don’t have access to computers or the internet outside of school, so for them, the club is especially important.

Code Club provides a great opportunity for the children to build on their learning and explore new projects outside of the curriculum.

We chatted to Jessica about coding at Adamsdown, and about her advice for running a successful Code Club.

Tell us more about your Code Club

Jessica Davies: Our Code Club runs every Monday in the school’s IT suite for Year 6 pupils. The talented Jamie Wiseman helps to run the club. Jamie is also parent governor and works on websites for a living; he enjoys sharing his wealth of skills.

The club is very relaxed, and the children are at ease with each other and the Code Club volunteers. Our Code Club members have the opportunity to work at their own pace and on projects that interest them. The children are all at different levels of coding, some use Scratch or HTML/CSS projects, and others are experimenting with micro:bits.

Can you share one Code Club highlight with us?

JD: One of the the best things I will remember from Code Club is a pupil who left for high school and returned the next September to support new club members! She is a fantastic coder, and this is a beautiful example of a pupil who has extended her learning to help others.

What advice would you give someone setting up a Code Club?

JD: Have a play with Scratch, follow the projects that Code Club provides, and get to know the basics.

I picked things up as I went along and learned from the children — don’t be afraid of this: learn with them and let them teach you!

Allow the children some freedom: let them play Scratch games and investigate the code alongside. The projects are fantastic to build skills, and once the children have the concept, they like to take things in their own direction.

When the group is working on similar projects, pit-stop and share good practice with each other. The children will collaborate almost automatically once they start working on projects.

Get involved!

If you’re a teacher and would like to start a Code Club in your school, you can get started today by registering on our website. And if, like Adamsdown Primary School, you are based in Wales, you can access our projects and resources in Welsh!