SKE Lead

Richard Schofield

What is your current role and experience in teaching?

I am currently the Curriculum Leader of Computing and Innovative Technology at John Smeaton Academy. In my 7 years as a computer science educator, I began my teaching career at The Morley Academy in 2018 as a teacher of computer science and went on to become an Assistant Head of Year, Head of Year, Head of Attendance, alongside holding roles which included SCITT Subject Mentor, DoE mentor and GORSE SCITT Ambassador. In my recent role at the John Smeaton Academy, I have supported the academy through their first successful Ofsted – ‘Good’ Rating within 14 years as the Head of Key Stage 3 and Lead Teacher of Computing. I now lead the computing department as Curriculum Leader of Computing with responsibility for innovative technologies within the academy.

Why are you passionate about your subject?

Living within a forever changing digital world, it is a privilege to provide students and educators with the knowledge, skills and love for learning about computer science that meet the demands of further education and employment in an evolving digital generation. I am privileged to be the SKE Lead for Computer Science with GORSE SCITT. Providing an opportunity to inspire and support the next generation of computing, computer science and ICT teachers to become expert practitioners within the classroom. My core passion is ensuring that quality first teaching takes place within the classroom each and every lesson. Alongside, fostering a love for computing, innovative technology and providing an accessible curriculum for all learners to be able to secure the ‘Gift of choice’. Provided through an exceptional computing education which empowers young people of all backgrounds to understand, be prepared and ready to access technology in an ever-changing digital world. I thoroughly enjoy being able to mentor and develop the next generation of teachers within computer science and aim to inspire educators of the future to change the deal for learners within education.

What impact does strong subject knowledge have? 

Within my time in education, I have secured exceptional results for students of all backgrounds at both The Morley Academy and John Smeaton Academy, seeing progress scores secured well above national average and the strongest computer science results recorded in the history of John Smeaton Academy. Computing is a forever changing subject that has proven to change the deal for all. My combination of subject & teaching expertise, pastoral experience and dedication to professional development, I hope will provide you with an outstanding experience with the GORSE SCITT and I look forward to working with you to shape the next generation of learners.

Modules

Module One – 8 Weeks

  • Introduction to computer science.
  • Principles of teaching computing.
  • Introduction to block programming.
  • Creating a basic game in Scratch (Fundamental programming skills).
  • How to teach online safety and digital literacy skills.
  • Building a basic database.
  • Designing in a graphic package (Photoshop/Illustrator/Canva).
  • Understanding the maths in computer science (KS3/KS4/KS5) and representing data.

Module Two – 12 Weeks

  • Understanding the system architecture and registers.
  • Understanding network and layers.
  • Introduction to Python programming.
  • Python – selection and iteration.

Module Three – 16 Weeks

  • Python – functions and reading a file.
  • Algorithm and other programming skills.
  • Understanding algorithms (flowcharts).
  • HTML and CSS.

Module Four- 20 Weeks

  • Legislation relevant to computer science.
  • Search and sort algorithms.
  • Arrays and file handling.
  • Boolean logic.

“ I really liked working within my own time frames and feel the SKE contributed to me being a better teacher. ”

Delivery and Assessment

The DfE funded course is delivered through online tutorials and asynchronous study. The self-funded programme is delivered through optional online tutorials and asynchronous study.

Assessments will include mini tasks, evaluative tasks, research and readings. There will also be an opportunity to reflect on the key ideas learnt in each unit of work. Each submission of assessment will receive detailed and clear feedback outlining professional knowledge, strength and areas to develop further over the remainder of the course.

Want to find out more?

Book an information evening or taster day.

These virtual events will take place with our leadership team to give you an opportunity to find out more about the courses we offer, the support you will receive and your journey as a GORSE SCITT trainee.