Harrow Way Community School is the first school in Andover to be designated a Lead School by CAS (Computing at School), a nationally recognised organisation for the management, delivery and support of Computing in the UK.
The award reflects the expertise and commitment Harrow Way has to Computing and Computer Science. The school delivers Computing from Year 7 through to 11 and offers Computer Science at GCSE. Staff are active members of the CAS and as the Lead School in the CAS’ local Network of Excellence, Harrow Way will take a lead for Computing and Computer Studies in the area, cascading good practice and experience.
Kevin Peebles, Curriculum Leader ICT and Computing at Harrow Way said: “Being recognised as a Lead School by CAS demonstrates the importance we place on Computing as a subject and how this is reflected in the curriculum in a broad and balanced way. We are keen to work with other schools in the area, sharing this good practice, to ensure that all students within the local community also benefit.”
The CAS aims to promote the teaching of Computer Science at school, with the goal of putting the excitement back into Computing at school. Collaborative partners with the BCS Academy of Computing, the CAS is supported financially by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Microsoft, Google, Ensoft and the UK Committee of Heads and Professors of Computer Science.
The CAS’ Network of Teaching Excellence in Computer Science also includes ‘Master Teachers’ who deliver local CPD to teachers and schools and play a vital role in developing computing provision in schools nationally. Harrow Way’s Head of ICT, Andrew Woods is currently completing his CAS Master Level 1 Award which will allow him to progress to the Level 2 Award. As a Level 2 Master Teacher Andrew will be liaising with teachers and academics to identify gaps in local provision and skills in order to develop and deliver CPD workshops.
A core activity of the CAS, is a hub meeting where teachers and lecturers share ideas for developing the teaching of computing in schools, classrooms and the community. As a Lead School Harrow Way will be hosting local hub meetings and CPD for colleagues beyond the school.
Headteacher Michael Serridge concludes: “This award from the CAS is another important indicator and an endorsement of the high standards we set across the curriculum here at Harrow Way. What is particularly pleasing though is the benefit it will have to other schools in the area and the wider community.”
Harrow Way demonstrated their computing credentials a few months ago with news that student Harry Smallbones if officially the second youngest person ever to get an A* in GCSE Computer Science.
For more information on Harrow Way Community School, please call 01264 364533 or visit www.harroway.hants.sch.uk. Visits to the school by appointment are always welcome.
