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Specialising or leading

Certificate awarded by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

Teach primary computing > Specialising or leading

Are you taking on a subject leadership role or looking to specialise in computing? This pathway will support you to build the confidence and expertise to lead computing effectively in your primary school.

Learning pathway

Our learning pathways provide a set of recommended courses and activities to help get the right outcomes for you. Complete a tailored selection of courses and engagement activities to receive your certificate.

Develop your professional knowledge

Complete one full day face-to-face, remote or online course, or a combination of short courses that amounts to 6+ hours of professional development.

Leading primary computing - module 1 - face to face

Face to face

1 day

Leading primary computing - module 2 - remote

Remote

1 day

Assessment of primary computing

Face to face

1 day

Primary computing for all - face to face

Face to face

1 day

Primary programming and algorithms

Face to face

1 day

Creating an Inclusive Classroom: Approaches to Supporting Learners with SEND in Computing

Online

8 hours

Preparing for Ofsted in primary computing - short course

Remote

90 minutes

Online safety through primary computing

Remote

90 minutes

Careers and enrichment in primary computing with STEM Ambassadors in your region

Remote

Physical computing kit - KS2 Crumble

Face to face

Introduction to the micro:bit in KS2

Face to face

Introduction to the Teach Computing Curriculum

Remote

90 minutes

Get started with the Teach Computing Curriculum in your primary school

Online

8 hours

Teaching Computing Systems and Networks to 5 to 11 year olds

Online

8 hours

Assessing computational thinking in primary schools - short course

Remote

90 minutes

More courses can be found in the pathway PDF

Develop your teaching practice

Choose at least one activity

Raise aspirations with a STEM Ambassador visit

Arrange an in-person or online visit for your classroom to help pupils understand real-world applications of computing and raise their career aspirations.

Explore the NCCE and partner enrichment opportunities and resources and plan to run an enrichment activity in your school

Explore NCCE and partner enrichment resources to enable you to plan an enrichment activity in your classroom.

Implement your professional development in the classroom and evaluate through our Impact Toolkit

Think about not only your actions but also collecting evidence of how the changes you make impact you, your colleagues, and your students.

Reflect on the use of a NCCE teaching and assessment resource(s) in your classroom

Download and use a Teach Computing Curriculum resource(s), then reflect on how you used and adapted it in the classroom.

Develop computing in your community

Choose at least one activity

Gain accreditation as a professional development leader

Reflect on what makes CPD effective and how its impact can be evaluated as well as the strategies and tools you’ll need when leading learning with teachers.

Support other teachers and earn a participation badge on a STEM Community platform

By joining STEM Community you’ll meet other teachers in similar roles and be able to share ideas, resources and insights. You’ll earn points for your posts and comments on the STEM Community. Your points add up, and over time you will be rewarded with badges in recognition of your activity and participation in the community.

Undertake the initial assessment of your school using Computing Quality Framework

Review your school’s progress in developing an exemplary computing curriculum and work towards achieving the Computing Quality Mark.

Work with your local Computing Hub to develop a school-level action plan for professional development

Computing Hubs support local schools with their journey in developing the computing curriculum using a free Computing Quality Framework tool. Your local Hub will work with you to identify your computing needs and provide a targeted programme of support.

Lead your school into a Computing Cluster

Join a group of 3-8 eligible schools, which receive targeted support in professional learning to make progress within the Computing Quality Framework over a 12-month period

Join one of the Computing at School Communities and present at a community meeting

Computing at School (CAS) Communities are a great way to connect with other teachers, share resources, join discussions in the forums or share something you've created. Join a local event and offer your insights, ideas and expertise to colleagues.

How to enrol

  1. Enrol with the click of the button
  2. Complete the required professional development, engagement, and community activities to receive your qualification
Log in

Download the pathway PDF

Download our specialising or leading pathway PDF to reference as you progress through the certificate.

Specialising or leading (PDF)

Funding

We offer financial support to state-funded schools and colleges across England, including subsidies to support supply cover for continuing professional development.

Funding information