Learn and explore in York – launching our primary residential CPD

18 October 2023

This Autumn term, we’re expanding our residential offer at the National STEM Learning Centre in York. Brand new for this term we are excited to launch our residential computing courses for primary teachers, with the first 'Help! How do I teach primary computing?' CPD taking place from 16 to 17 November.

With our residential CPD teachers can access more learning and have time away from the classroom to explore new ideas and discuss all things primary computing with like-minded peers.  

Run by experienced Professional Development Leaders from our Computing Hubs network, we can guarantee that your questions will be answered, and you’ll go back to school full of ideas to implement in your classroom.  


So, what is residential CPD?

Residential CPD is high-impact, intensive training in a classroom environment, where you can reflect, network with peers, and develop your teaching in interactive and impactful ways. Courses are delivered face to face, with accommodation and meals included for the duration of your stay so you can maximise your learning at ease and in comfort. 

What’s even more exciting is the residential provision is completely free - if you work in a state-funded school in England and subsidies are also available to eligible schools.

Here's what just one of our attendees had to say about their experience attending a primary CPD session:

“As well as the content being informative, the course leader was excellent. She made everything feel very achievable, offered clear guidance, and was very encouraging when we looked at aspects that were unfamiliar…”.

Book your space on one of the upcoming residentials

Help! How do I teach primary computing? - 16 to 17 November

Perfect for new teachers or those wishing to develop understanding of primary computing. Over 2 days you will find out what computing looks like at primary, exploring curriculum activities and how to teach them effectively in your classroom. You will explore how to teach programming using Scratch and Scratch Jr, building both your own subject knowledge and your understanding of good programming pedagogies.

Developing the established computing leader - 27 to 28 November

Build on your leadership of primary computing by considering how to effectively use contexts from across the wider curriculum and embed them within computing. Also focus on how to develop and supporting others within your school to deliver effective lessons in programming and context-based computing. There will also be the option of exploring physical computing in the late afternoon of day 1.  

Teaching an inclusive content rich primary computing curriculum - 6 to 7 December

During this two-day residential, you'll explore ways to bring your computing curriculum to life through cross-curricular approaches and how to ensure that your computing curriculum is inclusive and effective, allowing all children to succeed.

By attending one of our residentials you will be well on your way to gaining our Teach primary computing certificate. This is for teachers developing their understanding of computing and those leading the subject, with pathways available for primary teachers at all stages of computing knowledge and teaching skills. Don’t forget that subsidies are also available to eligible schools to help with classroom cover!  


Plan your year-round learning

If you are looking for a key stage 1 or key stage 2 specific course these are coming up in the spring and summer terms:

Teaching key stage 1 computing - 6 to 7 February 2024 

Teaching key stage 2 computing - 22 to 23 February 2024 

Bring computing to life using a context-based approach - 25 to 26 April 2024

Teaching an inclusive context rich primary computing curriculum - 4 to 5 June 2024