Wellingborough juniors join judges for coding competition

The Young Coders Competition co-organised by the University of Northampton aims to tackle a national shortage in coding ability.

Pupils from Park Junior School, in Wellingborough, have won the annual competition three years on the trot.

Headteacher, David Tebbutt, said: “As reigning champions for the past three years, we are now looking for other schools to challenge our status and enjoy the benefits of entering the

competition.

“It has certainly helped us to develop coding at the school and many children here now have a huge interest in it.

“We have won some amazing prizes over the years, received cups and trophies and enjoyed the publicity of being the champions, having been on the radio and in newspaper reports.

“It is now time for another school to take this on the title of champions and we look forward to seeing the entries.”

Scott Turner, Associate Professor in Computing and Immersive Technologies at the University, said: “We are delighted to be launching the 2020 edition of the Young Coders Competition.

"The contest has grown in popularity since it was launched in 2015 – last year we had a record-breaking 30 entries – and we now are inviting schools from across the UK to rise to the

challenge and get coding with us.”

To encourage eight-to-11-year olds, the organisers supply a package of 12 sessions for teachers to teach coding to their pupils, without having to do any preparation or have any previous

coding knowledge.

The lessons are designed to spark a lifetime interest in the skill that may lead to them to a career developing websites, apps and computer software.

For teachers with some coding experience, a package of six-week sessions are provided.

The package was devised by a teacher and reviewed by experts from the competition partners, including the University’s Computing academics.

Head of Computing, Gary Hill, will join the Park Junior pupils on the judging panel.

The 2020 competition will challenge children to make a computer application with the theme Teach Your Pals About the Past.

Free for schools across the UK to enter, the winning school will win £500, with the runner up taking home £200 and the school in third place receiving £100.

View past entries into the competition by Park Junior School pupils on YouTube.