UH NCCE secondary summer school
NCCE GCSE Computer Science Accelerator programme
The Centre for STEM Education at the University of Hertfordshire is running a summer school for teachers undertaking the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) GCSE Computer Science Accelerator programme.
The GCSE Computer Science Accelerator programme equips teachers with the knowledge required to teach GCSE computer science and to obtain a nationally recognised certificate. It meets individual needs through a bespoke package of face to face and online professional development.
Face to face CPD activities are free to secondary teachers of computing or computer science, in an English state-funded or state-maintained school, without a post A level qualification in computer science or a related subject. Online CPD is free to all teachers. Significant bursaries are available for eligible teachers to attend courses and complete the programme, as outlined below.
Face to face courses
Running from Friday 26 July to Wednesday 31 July (inclusive) at the University’s de Havilland campus in Hatfield, we’ll be offering up to four days of intensive study, with the following face to face course running on these dates:
Friday 26 July – Networks and cyber-security - (Part 1 – 8:30 – 13:30; Part 2 – 13:00 – 18:00)
Monday 29 July – Algorithms - (Part 1 – 8:30 – 13:30; Part 2 – 13:00 – 18:00)
Tuesday 30 July - Python Programming essentials - (Part 1 – 8:30 – 13:30; Part 2 – 13:00 – 18:00)
Wednesday 31 July – Data and computer systems - (Part 1 – 8:30 – 13:30; Part 2 – 13:00 – 18:00)
Lunch will be provided at 13:00 each day. The links above should be used to book the required face to face courses. On Thursday 01 August, we will also be running the ‘Computing for non-GCSE Computer Science students’ and a booking link will be made available in due course.
Additional support for online courses
During the morning and afternoon of the above dates, we will also offer face to face support for teachers completing the online modules of the NCCE GCSE Computer Science Accelerator programme. Working with experienced teachers of computer science, additional guidance and advice will be available on each day at the following times:
Friday 26 July - Morning 10:30 – 13:00
Friday 26 July - Afternoon 13:30 – 16:00
Monday 29 July - Morning 10:30 – 13:00
Monday 29 July - Afternoon 13:30 – 16:00
Tuesday 30 July - Morning 10:30 – 13:00
Tuesday 30 July - Afternoon 13:30 – 16:00
Wednesday 31July - Morning 10:30 – 13:00
Wednesday 31 July - Afternoon 13:30 – 16:00
Attendees are welcome to book individual sessions throughout the four days, which will enable teachers to tailor their learning to their specific requirements.
Example timetables
During the NCCE GCSE Computer Science Accelerator programme, teachers are required to undertake 40 hours of CPD, which will typically consist of two face to face courses (2 x 12 hours = 24 hours), plus two online courses (2 x 8 hours = 16 hours). Outlined below are three examples of how teachers could use the summer school sessions to complete the programme:
Example 1
Before summer school – Complete first online CPD module independently
Friday 26 July – Take Networks and cyber-security face to face course
Monday 29 July – Take Algorithms face to face course
Tuesday 30July – Complete second online CPD module with face to face support; Take subject knowledge test
Example 2
Friday 26 July – Complete first online CPD module with face to face support
Monday 29 July – Take Algorithms face to face course
Tuesday 30 July – Take Python Programming essentials face to face course
Wednesday 31 July - Complete second online CPD module with face to face support; Take subject knowledge test
Example 3
Before summer school – Complete one face to face course
Monday 29 July – Complete first online CPD module with face to face support
Tuesday 30 July – Take Python Programming essentials face to face course
Wednesday 31 July - Complete second online CPD module with face to face support; Take subject knowledge test
Further information, including bursaries
Further information about the NCCE GCSE Computer Science Accelerator programme can be found on the NCCE website.
Find out about the NCCE GCSE Computer Science Accelerator programme
Eligible schools will receive £220 per day (£440 per course) up to a maximum of £880, payable after successful completion of each face-to-face CPD activity. In addition to this, a bursary of £870 is available for participants who finish the programme, including sitting the final test, by 31 July 2019 (payable on completion of the programme).
If you require further information, please contact – ncce@herts.ac.uk. We look forward to seeing you in July!