In July thirty-eight teachers – from both Primary and Secondary schools across Wales – became the third cohort of learners to successfully achieve the (QCF) Level 3 Certificate of Computing for Teachers as part of a year-long Technoteach CPD programme. This Technoteach CPD programme is supported by the National Science Academy through the Welsh Government to up-skill teachers to become competent and confident in their ability to deliver the computer science curriculum as well as support the introduction of the Digital Competence Framework.
The course is accredited by VTCT and is delivered throughout the academic year (18 full-day sessions) with teachers meeting once a fortnight to develop their understanding of a range of computer science topics from robotics to Python programming. A strong focus of the course involves preparing schemes of work and accompanying resources so that teachers can use them immediately in their classrooms.
The course has again had a high impact on the teachers involved, their schools and particularly their pupils.
Leah John, a primary school teacher from Pontllanfraith Primary School, commented “The course is very different to other CPD courses, we have time to implement what we have learnt and also receive feedback and opportunities to improve our resources. I have enjoyed this course and have learnt a lot. I was initially nervous about starting and I am now looking forward to sharing my knowledge, skills and expertise next year as I move to teach at Key Stage 2.”
One of the secondary teachers on the course, Nicole Waller from Bedwas High School, wrote “Having time between sessions allowed me to use what we learnt in the lessons and if I needed extra support I could ask in the next session. I have used the Schemes of Work created for each unit of the course as part of my teaching in school and I now feel confident enough to start the GCSE coursework with my classes because of this course.”
We’re currently accepting applications for next year’s cohort, to find out more please visit here.
