Running a Code Club

Top tips for running a thriving Code Club

By volunteering your time to lead a Code Club, you’re empowering young creators to develop the skills they need to shape a future they’re excited about. To do this, you need to provide an environment where the young people feel comfortable exploring, experimenting, and learning through coding. 

Every Code Club runs differently and there is no set formula for what makes a great Code Club. Nevertheless, to offer some guidance, we’ve brought together ten tried-and-tested strategies used in Code Clubs around the world that support creators as they learn, play, and make.

An adult and boy facing a laptop smiling.
Volunteering at a Code Club

1. Start small and grow gradually

Begin with a small group of creators while you establish the club’s routines. This allows you to be more focused and helps you understand the group’s dynamics. As you gain confidence, gradually increase the number of members. You can also grow your mentor team to support even more creators.

2. Be prepared

Prepare for how you want your Code Club to run. This will look different for every club. For some of you, it will involve familiarising yourself with the projects and resources (including the software or hardware) that the group plans to use. Others will run their clubs with  looser frameworks and make project decisions on the day. 

3. Show, don’t just tell

If your creators all work on the same project, consider starting each session by showing a completed version (or versions) of the project and suggesting different adaptations that can be made. This gives young people a clear target and sparks their motivation to create their own unique projects.

4. Embrace experimentation

Don’t expect creators to follow the projects exactly. Learning happens through experimentation. Allow room for creativity and encourage creators to put their own personalities into their projects.

A classroom with girls sat a tables working on laptops.
Encourage experimentation and collaboration

5. Go digital

Save paper by using Code Club projects online. Creators will quickly adapt to navigating between browser tabs, and you’ll contribute to a more sustainable Code Club.

6. Encourage collaboration

Try paired programming — having creators work together on projects can boost concentration, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. This is particularly useful in settings where there might not be a computer available to each club member.

7. Foster problem-solving

Resist the urge to immediately fix creators’ mistakes. Keep your hands off the mouse and keyboard. Instead, gently point them in the right direction and let them discover and correct errors themselves. You can do this by asking creators questions and directing them to find the solution. This develops their critical thinking and resilience.

A girl working at a desktop computer with adults behind looking at her screen.
Foster problem-solving in your Code Club

8. Celebrate achievements

Plan show-and-tell sessions at the end of each session if time allows, or two to three times a year to offer a space for creators to showcase their projects and feel proud of their accomplishments.

9. Recognise success

Certificates can act as a great motivator. Explore and download our range of certificates and award them to creators when they hit milestones. 

10. Connect with your peers

Join an online ‘Coffee and conversation’ meet-up to interact with fellow club leaders and mentors. It’s a great space to share ideas, gain valuable insights, and ask questions. 

Looking for more inspiration on running your Code Club? Explore how you can create one club for all by working together to set your own rules! 

Micro-interview with Code Club alumni, Oliver

In our micro-interview blog series, we’re chatting to educators and young coding enthusiasts to hear about their Code Club experience.

When we received a message from 17-year-old Oliver, asking about the possibility of obtaining a Code Club lanyard to serve as a reminder of his experiences at Code Club, we knew we needed to find out more!

So we asked Oliver to tell us about his time at a Code Club in Dursley Library, Gloucestershire, which fueled his passion for computer science, leading him to study it at both GCSE and A level. Here’s what he said…

What inspired you to join Code Club?

I’ve always been fascinated by computers, but my primary school (like many) had a very limited ICT offering. I wanted to take a step on from Scratch, so joining Code Club was a natural choice for me!

So, when I was 8, I attended Code Club at Dursley Library. Among the local clubs my mum discovered, Code Club was by far the best — the resources were really well planned and helped to build up your coding skills.

How did participating in Code Club influence your interest in computer science?

Code Club at Dursley Library shaped my interest in computer science. The engaging activities and the guidance of the sixth formers running the club fuelled my passion for the subject. Every week we learnt a new skill and combined it all into a short Python game. The sessions were really fun, and I still sit down some weekends and just play around with Python!

What skills did you gain from Code Club that benefit your current studies?

The experience of coding helped, as coming into secondary school I already had some knowledge of Python. As well as this, I built a small Python script that colour-codes my virtual timetable, which I still find incredibly helpful!

Away from computer science, my existing knowledge of Python helped enormously when learning algebra, as I could apply my understanding of variables to maths! Don’t all laugh at once!

How has Code Club influenced your career direction?

I think Code Club had a huge impact! As soon as I joined my secondary school, I knew that I enjoyed programming and that I wanted to study computer science for GCSE. I attended activities, went to workshops, and even managed to go on a school trip to Silicon Valley. All of this got me excited for the future, and my experiences in Code Club played a pivotal role in shaping my career direction and is a key factor in why I now study computer science for A level.

What makes Code Club a great space for learners to explore computer science?

In my experience, the groups in Code Club have always been small, so there’s loads of time to play around and try new things. One of the key things I took away from it was that it’s OK to play around and get things wrong.

What advice would you give to other children thinking of joining a Code Club?

Go for it! It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore your interest in computers and learn in a fun and engaging way. It can be challenging, but once you get started, there’s nothing more satisfying than having your ideas appear on the screen before you!

Thank you, Oliver, for sharing your experience with us. And yes, we sent him a lanyard!

If you enjoyed this micro-interview, check out our micro-interview with young coder Terrell (9) and learn more about his experiences.

You don’t need any coding experience to run a Code Club, and you can help more young people like Oliver learn vital coding and digital skills for the future. Start a club today!

Micro-interview with Code Club Growth Partner, Solomon

In our new micro-interview blog series, we chat to educators and young coding enthusiasts about their Code Club experience. Enjoy!

Solomon’s organisation, The Unique Foundation, has been a Growth Partner since 2019. He runs a thriving Code Club at his learning and resource centre in The Gambia and describes his club as creative, empowering, and innovative.

The children who attend represent a diverse mix of boys and girls that come from 20 different schools in the area, and Solomon shares why Code Club is an essential part of their learning journey.

The Unique Foundation

Enjoy this micro-interview with Code Club growth partner, Solomon. 

Let’s get started…

What inspired you to become a part of the Code Club network?

We strongly believe in the transformative power of digital skills and their potential to create opportunities for young people. Witnessing the lack of access to computer knowledge among high school graduates in The Gambia and other sub-Saharan African countries inspired us to take action. By bridging the digital skills gap, we aim to empower young individuals to thrive in the 21st century.

How does your Code Club empower young coders to develop a sense of independence?

Our Code Club empowers young coders to develop a strong sense of independence and self-resilience through our focus on developing technical skills. Through hands-on learning and practical experience, our young coders gain confidence in their abilities, foster their problem-solving skills, and develop the resilience necessary to tackle challenges in the rapidly changing digital world. By nurturing their cross-cultural communication and innovation abilities, we empower them to become independent learners.

Why do young people in The Gambia find Code Club appealing?

Code Club is appealing and well-received amongst young people in The Gambia due to its interactive and engaging learning approach, empowering them to be creators and express their creativity through coding. Developing future-ready skills prepares them for opportunities in the digital world, while the sense of community and collaboration fosters peer support. Additionally, Code Club’s international recognition and access to resources enable participants to learn from and collaborate with young coders globally, broadening their horizons.

How can participating in Code Club benefit young people’s future opportunities?

They can expect to develop coding and digital literacy skills that will serve as a strong foundation for higher education in computer science or related fields. Code Club fosters innovation, encouraging young participants to pursue entrepreneurial ventures or contribute to existing companies. Collaboration and networking within the coding community can lead to internships and mentorships, while participation in tech competitions and hackathons provides platforms for recognition and potential job offers. Global exposure opens doors to remote work opportunities and international collaborations, shaping a promising future.

Thank you, Solomon!

If you enjoyed this micro-interview, read our micro-interview with Sue and learn about her experiences of using the Code Club resources and projects in her club, in the UK.

If Solomon’s journey with Code Club has sparked your interest, explore how you can become a Code Club Global Partner!