Barefoot launches Code Cracking Cup competition

• New Barefoot computing resources take primary school pupils on an adventure into the exciting history of WW2 coding and help them build the digital skills they will need for the future
• Six top secret lessons including code cracking, researching and filmmaking.

This month Barefoot, the UK-wide project that helps primary teachers understand the importance of computational thinking, has launched a new set of teaching resources with a code cracking theme, including a competition to win the Code Cracking Cup and a trip to Bletchley Park.

The new, free resource is an adventure into the exciting history of World War Two coding. Created for pupils aged 9-11, it's made up of six 'top secret lessons' for teachers to choose from including code cracking, researching and filmmaking.

One of the lesson plans is about creating a film story board, which can be entered into a competition to win The Code Cracking Cup and a VIP class trip to Bletchley Park (home of the original code crackers). The trip will include an award- winning learning experience at Bletchley Park and £500 will be paid towards travel. A discretionary cash prize is available for schools who may not be able to make the journey.

Liz Williams, BT’s Digital Skills Director for Young People, said:

“BT is committed to giving the next generation the digital skills they need for the future. Our Barefoot programme helps primary teachers deliver the computing curriculum brilliantly, and the Code Cracking Cup is an exciting opportunity for primary classes across Northern Ireland to demonstrate their computational thinking skills. In the context of WW2 and coding, the pupils will be collaborating, debugging and tinkering to bring their class to victory! We can’t wait to see the entries.”

The lesson plan resources come complete with a host of downloadable materials including lesson plans, presentations, classroom resources, posters, ID reward cards, an animated film and audio soundtrack – all to help teachers and their pupils have fun and fully engage with the content of the lessons.

Securing information, data and communications has been part of BT’s DNA for more than 70 years. This goes back to World War Two, when a BT (General Post Office, as it was then) engineer called Tommy Flowers built Colossus, the world's first programmable electronic computer. This was used to help decipher encrypted messages, playing a huge role in bolstering the UK’s defences.

It may not be one of the things we’re best known for, but BT is now one of the world’s leading cyber security providers, employing around 3,000 security professionals globally. BT prevents 4,000 attempted cyber security attacks every day.

We are tackling the problem by making sure that we're recruiting and training the world's best cyber security experts; using the latest technology to stop the hackers; and working with schools to make sure that the next generation are prepared to deal with the issue.

For more information about all our Code Cracking resources, details about how to enter the competition and full terms and conditions go to: https://www.barefootcomputing.org/codecracking.Teachers will need to register on the Barefoot website first at https://www.barefootcomputing.org

The closing date for entries is 9 December 2019.

Notes to Editors

Barefoot, which is supported by BT and Computing at Schools, provides simple, accessible resources for teachers to help them deliver the primary computing curriculum brilliantly. It's all completely free, with high quality lessons produced by teachers using the latest research in pedagogy. Barefoot has helped over 53% of primary schools across Northern Ireland with their computing lessons so far.

While most primary teachers already cover some level of computing, Barefoot helps them use computational thinking to take those skills across the curriculum in a way that’s easy to teach and fun to learn.