Jam Coding

As our 10th anniversary approaches, the team at Jam Coding is reflecting on the last decade, gathering some of the best highlights and achievements from our journey and business evolution. 🎉

If you've been a part of our story and have any memories you'd like to share, please leave them in the comments below. We’d love to hear from parents of pupils we've taught, school teachers, and of course employees, both past and present. And if you have any photos to share, we’d love to see those too! 📸

This summer, Coach Chrissy has been volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Nepal! 🐘

On her day off, she explored the local markets and stumbled upon a education school. The owner welcomed her in, showing her classrooms where students were learning digital skills like PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and even how to set up social media and email accounts. 💻

Chrissy couldn’t resist sharing the amazing work we're doing in the UK with our Bespoke Curriculum. It’s incredible to see how computing education is making a difference across the globe! 🌐

Growing up, your child will develop a whole range of skills to prepare them for future employment. But many of those skills will pale in comparison to computing skills and the career paths they can take with the right digital education.

Read our blog to learn about 8 different career paths your child can take with the right digital skills 👉 https://jamcoding.co.uk/8-jobs-your-child-can-do-with-the-right-digital-skills/

8 Career Paths Your Child Can Take With The Right Digital Skills - Jam Coding From Gamebuilding, to Minecraft, to Stop Motion Animation, our range of coding and computing workshops will spark your child’s imagination whilst teaching them important digital life skills in the process.

💡EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT💡

Meet Lujane Al-Nassery. Lujane is an Assistant Coach at Jam Coding, where she works during the school holidays to support our holiday clubs. She finds these clubs incredibly fun and enjoys teaching our young learners while creating an engaging and enjoyable environment for them.

For Lujane, it’s a refreshing change from her university routine and time at home, providing her with valuable experience in a diverse setting.

Currently in her second year at university, studying Teaching and Education, Lujane’s role at Jam Coding aligns perfectly with her career aspirations. The hands-on experience she gains with us complements her academic studies, especially since her course includes just one day of placement.

She loves working at Jam Coding not only for the experience it offers toward her degree but also for the friendships she builds and the joy of being around young people.

In her free time, Lujane enjoys doing makeup, playing Roblox with her youngest sister, having picnics in Blackpool with her friends, and watching Turkish dramas.

Thank you, Lujane, for supporting our holiday clubs and young people, and for genuinely enjoying the experience. We’re so proud to have you as part of the team! ❤️

Curious about what our learners get up to at a Jam Coding Holiday Club?

Today’s club at Euxton C of E Primary School in Chorley kicked off with some creative colouring as Head Coach Dalya Al-Nassery registered the arriving children. The day continued with light sports, including a game of Red Light, Green Light, followed by football. Sports are a crucial part of our holiday clubs because they help our young people focus before an afternoon of .

After their morning activities, the children dived into building their own city using a 3D modelling program - a fantastic exercise in collaboration and creativity. By lunchtime, the kids had worked up quite an appetite which was met with a healthy meal with fruit.

As the day came to a close and parents began to arrive, the children enjoyed more activities in the sports hall. At Jam Coding, while our primary focus is on enhancing children’s skills, we recognise the importance of balancing online and offline activities. That’s what our holiday clubs are all about!

The sessions at Euxton C of E are run by a team of wonderful code coaches: Head Coach Dalya and Assistant Coaches Nathan, Naisha, and Lu-Jane. Join us in showing them some love for all of their hard work! ❤️

We're excited to share some fantastic news! 🏆🎉

Jam Coding has been honoured as Best Coding and Computer Skills Workshops Provider at the 2024 SME Business Elite Awards.

SME News aims to "identify and support the best small and medium-sized businesses in the UK," and we are proud to be recognised among them. As a result of this award, Jam Coding will be featured in the upcoming edition of SME News magazine. Stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled for our feature!

Did you know that we are now operational in and ?

Craig Hardman, who leads Jam Coding in these regions, joined our mission in April 2024. He brings years of experience in software sales and a passion for . After welcoming his daughter into the world last year, Craig sought a career change that would allow more family time while staying connected to the sector.

For Craig, joining Jam Coding is about today’s children to empower them for success in an ever-growing digital landscape. With his expertise, he aims to inspire the next generation of digital citizens.

If you haven't already, please join us in welcoming Craig to the team! For any schools across the Herefordshire and Worcestershire regions looking to revolutionise education for both their staff and pupils, Craig is your man. You can get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Our Holiday Activity Club at Caludon Castle School is just around the corner! Are you in the Coventry area and searching for fun and educational activities for your kids?

Our club offers a blend of online and offline activities designed to engage and inspire your children during the holidays, covering a wide range of topics, including game building and design. All equipment and resources are provided by us.

Join us for a summer full of fun with the Jam Coding Coventry team! It's just £10 a day, with limited free places available for young people who receive free school meals. Contact your local authority to find out if you qualify.

For more information or to book a place, please email [email protected] or call 07701080465.

💡EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT 💡

Meet Coach Chrissy. Chrissy is one of the dynamic head teachers at Jam Coding, working across schools in Lancashire. With a BA Hons in Primary Education and Qualified Teacher Status from Sheffield Hallam University, Chrissy has dedicated over 25 years to inspiring young minds.

Her teaching journey is as adventurous as her personal life. Chrissy has embraced numerous opportunities to teach internationally, including a rewarding stint at an international school in Switzerland and as a private for a family exploring the globe. In 2007, she relocated to Australia, where she spent 9 enriching years before returning to England. Since joining Jam Coding, Chrissy has made a significant impact by over 500 pupils each week.

At Jam Coding, Chrissy is instrumental in developing engaging lessons for the Jam Coding Bespoke Curriculum. She crafts and tests these lessons in before they are rolled out nationwide, ensuring they meet our high standards for educational fun. Her passion for teaching shines through in her interactions with pupils, particularly when they achieve milestones that they are proud of.

Outside of work, Chrissy is equally adventurous. She enjoys riding her motorbike through the countryside, attending energetic live gigs, and competing in dragon boat racing with the Preston Dragons. Her dedication to dragon boat racing is notable, having competed for 6 years and recently qualifying as a coach. 🐉

Thank you, Coach Chrissy, for bringing your wealth of experience and adventurous spirit to the . Your commitment to making learning fun reflects our belief that young people thrive when they are engaged and having fun. We are so proud to have you as part of our team! ❤️

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR ! 🌞🌞🌞

A huge thank you to all the we've worked with this year. It has been a remarkable year for Jam Coding, with the addition of a wide range of new, fun workshops and the rollout of our bespoke curriculum to schools across the UK. We’re thrilled to see the positive impact it’s having on computing and can't wait to show you what we have in store for the next academic year.

Teachers, enjoy your well-deserved break, and see you in September!

BIG NEWS ALERT 📣

Jam Coding CEO Roger Grogan and Learning and Development Manager Jenny Talbot recently teamed up with professionals across the UK for a virtual meeting with the new Secretary of State for Education. The discussion focused on the future of education and addressed critical questions.

Key takeaways include:

🍳Excitement for Free Breakfast Clubs: There's a buzz around the introduction of free breakfast clubs for all primary-aged children. We're already planning how we can support schools in implementing this initiative.

🤖 EYFS Curriculum Discussions: The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum was a major topic. We're prioritising this as we develop our Bespoke Computing Curriculum with a tailored learning journey.

Stay tuned for more updates and reach out if you want the inside scoop!

💡EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT 💡

Meet Chonang. Chonang serves as an Assistant Code Coach at in Twickenham and Guildford, where he has quickly become an indispensable member of the Jam Coding team. Recognised by his colleagues as an asset and a team player, Chonang consistently goes above and beyond to support his teammates and pupils alike.

Chonang holds a degree in and is currently pursuing a Master's in Cybersecurity, showcasing his commitment to continuous and professional growth. Before joining Jam Coding, he accumulated a wealth of experience as a Computing, Maths, and Science , and also provided private home tuition.

Multilingual and fluent in Nepali and English, Chonang is currently learning Hindi, further demonstrating his dedication to personal and professional development. His diverse background and exceptional work ethic make him a standout member of our team.

At Jam Coding, we value collaboration as one of our core principles. Thank you, Chonang, for embodying this value every day in the classroom. Your contributions significantly enhance the learning environment for both your colleagues and the pupils you teach.❤️

💡EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT💡

Meet Jenny Talbot, the Learning & Development Manager at Jam Coding. Jen is the visionary behind the Bespoke Curriculum, bringing over 16 years of experience as a qualified .

Jen’s journey into the world of began with a degree in Information Technology & Multimedia Computing. During her university years, she completed a yearlong placement teaching secondary school pupils, where she discovered her passion for . This led her to pursue a , before qualifying as a teacher in 2009.

Throughout her career, Jen has demonstrated remarkable versatility, educating pupils ranging from 4 to 18 years old in advanced computing. She served as the computing lead in two schools, significantly enhancing her pupils’ learning experiences.

Driven by a love for learning, Jen continued her education while teaching full-time, earning a master’s degree in Teaching & Learning. Her final research project focused on implementing the new computing curriculum and managing a team of teachers through the transition from .

Jen’s expertise extends beyond the classroom. She has conducted local authority-wide training sessions on and computing, and led a Computing at School Hub for special education needs teachers. Her passion for inspired her to complete a postgraduate certificate in Autism.

Her decision to leave the was not taken lightly. However, the opportunity to join Jam Coding and lead the creation of the Bespoke Curriculum was too compelling to pass up. Even outside of work, Jen is deeply invested in education, always on the lookout for the latest or tools to enhance the Bespoke Curriculum.

Jen has a diverse set of interests and skills. A self-proclaimed ‘crazy cat lady,’ she is adept at juggling balls, rings, clubs, knives and even fire! She has a passion for DIY and often tackles tasks herself instead of hiring professionals, regardless of the challenge. After her latest DIY project, which saw her watch TikTok videos to learn how to plaster walls, she admits she is slightly worried they may come crumbling down!

Jen’s fascination with bees has led her to become a qualified beekeeper. While she hasn’t yet had her own hive, she took care of the bees at her previous , nurturing her interest and sharing it with her pupils.

Thank you, Jen, for your unwavering passion and dedication to inspiring young minds across the country. Not only are you leading a team to make computing enjoyable for thousands of pupils, but you’re also empowering teachers to develop their skills in a field you love.

Join us in welcoming Jack, Steve, and Helal to the team!

Jack will be launching Jam Coding in , Steve will be serving communities in , and Helal will be delivering our sessions to schools in . Together, they will teach thousands of young people each week, creating ripples of opportunity for the next generation.

After a full week of training, immersing themselves in our business practices, workshops and ethos, they are all excited to get started.

As you can see, there were some friendly disagreements over who should win the trophy, but with a bit of and , they ultimately decided to share it instead. No matter your age, channelling our 4 C's is a great way to create an outcome!

🤖COMPUTING EMBEDDED INTO THE CURRICULUM 🤖

Learning at an early age is crucial. It not only helps children develop foundational skills for future but also captures their interest and makes learning fun.

Here are some photos from last week, where the reception class at Longton Primary School worked together to build a robot and then wrote instructions to make it move.

This exciting activity encouraged collaboration, communication, creativity, and confidence - four core elements around which all the lessons in our bespoke computing curriculum are structured.

Get in touch to learn how you can embed computing into the EYFS curriculum at your school.

It's Friday, which means you'll be looking for ways to keep the kids engaged over the weekend! Have you seen our free resources available for download on our website?

These include a variety of fun and worksheets, from word searches to mindful colouring, puzzles, and games.

Visit https://jamcoding.co.uk/resources to download your free resources and print them off at home.

Resources Archive - Jam Coding From Gamebuilding, to Minecraft, to Stop Motion Animation, our range of coding and computing workshops will spark your child’s imagination whilst teaching them important digital life skills in the process.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT 💡

Meet Aileen, a member of our team working in schools across Twickenham & Guildford. Aileen joined Jam Coding as an Assistant Coach and, through her excellent work ethic and commitment, has progressed to the role of Head Coach.

A lot of our code coaches don't even realise what a huge difference they are making through their roles. Aileen is teaching in multiple schools each week, reaching over 100 pupils and giving them access to a computing education they otherwise would not receive. She's imparting skills that these young people wouldn't normally learn, thereby opening doors of opportunity for them.

Aileen has a diverse set of digital skills. She can code in multiple programming languages and has experience in UI/UX design, web development and videography.

Throughout her career, she has leveraged these skills to develop various mobile and web applications, contributing to numerous successful projects.

Aileen is equally dedicated to her personal growth as she is to her professional growth. Alongside her work, she is pursuing an MSc in Software Engineering with Management Studies - a feat we wish her the best of luck with!

Thank you, Aileen, for putting in 100% effort at your job while smashing your own personal goals and commitments. You are exactly the role model young people need in the classroom, and we are very proud to have you as part of our team. ❤️

Inspire your pupils with engaging computing lessons ✅
Build on their skills and knowledge ✅
Upskill your teaching staff in the process ✅

Discover how the Jam Coding bespoke computing curriculum achieves all this and more. Get in touch 👉 [email protected]

It’s always exciting to open children’s eyes to the diverse opportunities available with the right skills. Most of the time, they can’t even imagine that certain jobs would involve coding, but coding is integrated into every aspect of modern life.

Take , for example. By integrating and into football, the sport has evolved to become more precise, engaging and safe for players and fans alike.

Here are 5 impactful ways coding is used in football to discuss with your young ones during (or after) tonight’s game:

⚽ Coding is used to analyse game footage, breaking down games to understand team formations, strategies, and player performances. This helps in predicting opponents' moves and suggesting counter-strategies.
⚽ Player movements, passing accuracy, speed and distance covered are all tracked with advanced algorithms. This provides valuable insights for coaches and analysts.
⚽ Data from wearable technology, such as GPS trackers and heart rate monitors, is processed through coding to monitor players' physical conditions and optimise training programs.
⚽ Motion capture and analysis software use coding to study players' movements, helping to refine techniques and prevent injuries.
⚽ Coding is integral to the VAR system, which helps referees make accurate decisions regarding goals, penalties, and offsides.

How else is coding used in ? Let us know in the comments below. COME ON ! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

The team picked the perfect sunny day to deliver flyers in Chorley for our upcoming summer holiday clubs. But guess what... Chorley isn't the only place where Jam Coding is bringing fun and excitement this summer! ☀️

We're also hosting clubs in Worcester, London, Hampshire, Edinburgh and many other areas across the UK.

What can you expect from a Jam Coding holiday club?

🤖Free and paid places available
🤖A variety of digital skills including game building, stop motion animation, and much more
🤖Not just screen time - there will be fun sports activities and creative crafts too!

Join us this summer for an unforgettable experience at a Jam Coding holiday club near you. For more information, email [email protected] and a member of our team will direct you to the closest club.

LIMITED PLACES - BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

💡EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT 💡

Meet Coach Dalya. Dalya has been with Jam Coding for nearly five years, starting as a Code Coach and now serving as the Area Manager for Lancashire. In this role, she oversees a team of Code Coaches who deliver our workshops and curriculum to young people across the region.

Dalya holds a degree in Computer Science and a Master's Degree in Game Design. When she's not teaching in the classroom, she's in the office designing workshops that are implemented in schools across the UK.

Dalya's passion for computing and gaming shines through in everything she does. A dedicated gamer, she loves collecting figurines and memorabilia, travelling the world to attend the latest Star Wars conventions, and meeting famous personalities from her favourite games and films. In her free time, she runs a successful gaming Instagram account with over 40,000 followers!

Her passion for gaming helps her connect with her pupils, creating meaningful bonds and making her clubs incredibly popular. Thank you, Coach Dalya, for bringing a unique perspective to our workshops and sharing your passion with the pupils you teach. ❤️

Looking to upskill your staff in delivering computing lessons? 👩‍🏫

Our unique learning management system offers bite-sized CPD modules for your teaching team. This approach allows them to master each unit of work before presenting it in the classroom. 💻

By learning in manageable chunks, teaching staff can retain and build upon their knowledge week by week, ultimately boosting their confidence and effectiveness in the classroom. ✅

But what's more, it’s designed to empower teachers with the skills they need to effectively transfer knowledge to their pupils, who will also build upon their understanding week-on-week! 🌟

To learn more about the Jam Coding Bespoke Curriculum and how it can revolutionise computing at your school, get in touch by emailing [email protected]

If you follow us closely on social media, you'll notice a few buzzwords we use often at Jam Coding. The “digital divide" is one of them.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the digital divide refers to the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not. Addressing this divide and providing ways to bridge the gap is a crucial part of our mission.

As the world becomes increasingly digital, we believe in equal opportunities for all. Here are a few ways we are creating these opportunities:

🙌You don't need a laptop or computer to attend our workshops; we provide all the necessary equipment, ensuring accessibility for every child.
🙌We have a diverse team of female code coaches working in classrooms across the UK, serving as role models for young female learners.
🙌We collaborate with local councils across the UK to run free holiday clubs for pupils who receive free meals during the school day.
🙌Through partnerships with various charities, we offer free, funded workshops at primary schools, further enhancing accessibility to quality computing education.
🙌We're passionate about promoting social inclusion through the Bespoke Curriculum, which is tailored to meet our learners' needs. For example, we use symbols to assist pupils with task transitions and provide lesson checklists that aid in processing, transitioning between tasks, and maintaining focus. Moreover, all our resources are designed to support pupils with autism, dyslexia, and ADHD.

At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to providing new paths to opportunities for our pupils, regardless of the economic, educational, social, and cultural barriers they may face.

A huge thanks to coaches James, Jodie, Hannah, and Evie (aka Team Peterborough) for hosting us yesterday! It was wonderful to see some lessons in action and meet all of their lovely pupils. 🙌

Let's shine a spotlight on one of our amazing code coaches working across the UK: Coach Evie from Jam Coding Peterborough 💡

Evie holds a degree in Computer Science, along with additional qualifications in Marketing and Cyber Security.

During her time at university, Evie was the only female on her course. Witnessing this gender imbalance in Computer Science sparked her passion for inspiring more women to pursue digital subjects. She loves working with young girls and hopes to be a role model for them.

Outside of work, Evie is conducting a research project on women in tech workforces. She is interviewing major companies to learn what initiatives they are implementing to address the gender imbalance in tech.

We had the pleasure of watching Evie in the classroom today, and it was amazing to see all the young women looking up to her. Thank you, Evie, for being such a vital part of the team and an amazing role model to the pupils you teach. 👩‍🏫

✨ FREE CODING & COMPUTING WORKSHOPS AT YOUR SCHOOL OR ORGANISATION ✨

As part of our mission to address the digital divide, we are thrilled to announce a new partnership aimed at extending our essential digital skills workshops to even more young people across the UK.

If you know a school or charity that may wish to apply for this funding opportunity, please get in touch by e-mailing [email protected]

https://www.lep.co.uk/community/jam-coding-partners-with-national-charities-to-offer-free-coding-and-computing-workshops-for-youth-4656296

Jam Coding Partners with National Charities to offer Free Coding and Computing Workshops for Youth Jam Coding is thrilled to announce a new partnership aimed at extending their essential digital skills workshops to even more young people across the UK, as part of the company’s mission to address the digital divide.

Please join us in welcoming Rozalyn Orme and Andrew Beech to the team, as they launch Jam Coding in . Roz and Andy's journey began with a desire to address the gap in education in Warrington, especially for their own children.

Discover what they aim to bring to the region in the article below (via Warrington Guardian):

https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/24364775.vital-coding-lessons-offered-schools-across-warrington/

Vital coding lessons being brought to Warrington schools could curb digital crisis HOPING to curb a ‘looming’ digital skills crisis in the coming years, two local entrepreneurs are bringing vital coding lessons to schools…

100% of our customers recommend the Bespoke Curriculum. Read our blog to find out why 👇

https://jamcoding.co.uk/100-of-jam-coding-customers-recommend-their-computing-curriculum-heres-why/

100% of our customers recommend our computing curriculum - here's why - Jam Coding From Gamebuilding, to Minecraft, to Stop Motion Animation, our range of coding and computing workshops will spark your child’s imagination whilst teaching them important digital life skills in the process.

Investing in digital skills doesn't just have the potential to transform the lives of young people; it can also revolutionise entire communities.

We are a community-driven business, led by passionate individuals across the UK, all dedicated to enhancing and enriching their local areas. ❤️

UK Parliament