General FAQ
Q: How do online coding classes work?
A: Students log in to a group video chat through Zoom by clicking on a link distributed by email. Students then divide into smaller groups (approx 6:1 student:teacher ratios in each group) and share their screens while working. Tutors provide help by voice or text chat as appropriate, and all learning materials are shared online.
Q: ARE your coding COURSES & SUMMER CAMPS SUITABLE FOR NEW STUDENTS and/or EXPERIENCED CODERS?
A: All our coding courses and coding summer camps are suitable for almost all students.
Those who have never done any coding before will start with the absolute basics. Students who have been with us before (or who have learned coding elsewhere) will work on more advanced material suitable to their own level of experience.
We don't offer specific facilities for students with special educational needs, but in many cases those used to mainstream classes will progress just fine in our coding classes. The 6:1 student to teacher ratio is extremely helpful for those students. If in doubt please contact us and we’d be happy to discuss further.
Q: DOES MY CHILD NEED TO HAVE A MINIMUM LEVEL OF coding KNOWLEDGE or experience to join a coding camp or course?
A: We expect that all students will have at least used a computer before (or seen one from across a room), but beyond that no experience is assumed or required!
Our coding courses are also broadly suitable for students of all abilities, but we would caution that students with special needs who are not in mainstream classes, or who have significant extra resources to enable them to participate in mainstream classes may struggle in certain scenarios. While groups are kept small, students who are used to having assistance beside them at all times may find the change difficult. We strongly advise you to Contact Us before registration to ensure that the course is suitable in these situations.
Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE coding CLASSES FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS?
A: Our parent & child coding classes focus on core computer and coding skills. This includes basic mouse and keyboard skills, as well as computational thinking exercises. These are designed to be engaging and fun, while laying down a foundation of skills for later grades.
For our next age group, which we call Freshers (ages 9-11), we focus on Scratch, a drag and drop programming language suitable for students who aren't quite ready for more advanced coding languages.
For ages 11-13, which we call Juniors, and ages 13-18, which we call seniors, our main teaching language is Processing, a Java-based programming language built for 2D and 3D graphics work. Senior classes run for 90 minutes, while all other classes run for 60 minutes.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO TEACHING coding? DO YOU USE DRAG-AND-DROP PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES LIKE “SCRATCH”?
A: For our younger groups of students we run classes in computational thinking, primarily using Scratch. These allow younger students to learn about problem solving and logic without tripping up on syntax rules which they might have some trouble with.
For older students our main teaching language is "Processing", a graphical framework built on Java. We believe in exposing students to "real" code as young as practical (which we think is around age 11 for most studetns). Processing has the advantage of scaling extremely well, in that underneath the friendly exterior it's full-featured Java (one of the most popular languages on the planet). This means that we can keep building on what they've learned term after term, without ever having to switch to a more "grown up" language. Long before they've run out of things to learn in Java, they're ready to get a job!
Q: CAN I SEND MY CHILD TO A coding CLASS EVEN IF THEY ARE TOO YOUNG FOR THE STATED AGE GROUPS?
A: Our experience is that most children simply aren’t ready for our coding courses when they’re younger than the stated age bands. An 8-year-old looking to join the Freshers course would be in classes with students up to age 11 - that’s a big age difference!
For older students looking to join a class above their age grade (e.g 12-year-olds looking to join a senior group) we highly recommend students at least start with their own age group. If they want to move up an age group having experienced their own class we are happy to discuss that on a case by case basis.
Q: I MISSED THE SIGNUP DATE. DO YOU TAKE BEGINNERS AT ANY POINT IN THE YEAR?
A: Ideally we take new students only in September and in January, and no later than the second week of term in those months. We are quite strict with that for parents and child, freshers and juniors classes. For senior groups, where the classes are sometimes a little looser and students can be a little more self-directed, we can sometimes bend this rule a little. Please contact us directly to discuss further.
Q: CAN STUDENTS ATTEND MORE THAN ONE coding CAMP or coding COURSE? WILL THEY JUST BE REPEATING THE SAME MATERIAL?
A: Students can absolutely attend more than one week of summer camp. They will move ahead at their own pace, and we have plenty of material to keep them busy. For term time coding courses we do welcome students attending more than one coding class per week, and will work to ensure that they are kept busy and engaged at all times.
Students can and do work ahead on their own at home too, which is certainly to be encouraged. We will always provide as much support as possible to students progressing ahead of the main group.
Q: CLASS TIMETABLES NO LONGER INCLUDE SEPARATE ADVANCED CLASSES. HOW DO STUDENTS NOW PROGRESS THROUGH GRADES?
A: In order to simplify the registration process we no longer timetable based on gradings. All students register based on their age group, and we will run a variety of coding classes within that time slot for students of various levels of coding experience.
We will still communicate details about students' progress , but you no longer need to worry about which class to sign them up for. Send them with the rest of their class/age group and we'll ensure they're working on appropriately challenging material.
Q: WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS ALREADY STUDIED SOME TYPE OF PROGRAMMING/CODING - WILL THIS COURSE BE TOO BASIC FOR THEM?
A: We cater for all levels of coding ability, and are always delighted to meet students who have already attended other coding courses or taught themselves some programming. Rest assured, students of any coding level will find plenty of challenges to keep them busy!
Q: HOW DO I PAY? I’M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM.
A: Our online payment system accepts all of the most common forms of payment (Mastercard, VISA, American Express). If none of the online options suit feel free to contact us via our website and we’ll do our best to arrange to accept whatever form of payment suits you best.
Q: WHERE DO coding CLASSES TAKE PLACE?
A: All our coding classes and coding courses are taking place online via Zoom.
Q: IS THIS A PREPARATION FOR A CAREER AS A CODER? WHAT ABOUT KIDS WHO DON'T WANT TO GO INTO IT?
A: We don't assume everyone wants to work in IT any more than a music teacher would assume all their students will become professional musicians. Learning to code is a great skill, regardless of what path you want to follow in life. More and more, everyone needs to be at least technically literate to thrive professionally, regardless of career path. More importantly in the short term, building cool things with code is a lot of fun!
Q: WHAT IF MY CHILD DECIDES AFTER ONE OR TWO CLASSES THAT THIS ISN'T FOR THEM?
A: We understand that not every student takes to coding straight away. We'd always encourage students to stick with it for at least a few weeks, and ideally the full first term, to be sure they've given it a fair chance. That said, we do have an outrageously comprehensive satisfaction policy - we haven't and won't ever decline to give a refund for any reason. If things aren't working out after week one or two (or eleven, or thirty, or...) you can always just ask for your money back.