Case Study for EdIS Delivery Partners ‘Think Social’ by Teaching Children Coding Skills

Key to the objectives of the Education Authority’s EdIS Programme, is using ICT to transform the educational landscape to improve the educational experience and outcomes for all. The EdIS Programme has a commitment to ‘Think Social’ under Procurement Policy Note 01/21 when procuring contracts under its umbrella.

The EdIS Delivery Partner contract is delivering an educational programme under Business in the Community’s ‘Time to Code’ initiative* to improve computer coding skills amongst primary school children across Northern Ireland, and this ‘Think Social’ initiative also supports the Education Authority’s (EA’s) vision to “be inspiring, supporting and challenging all our children to be the best that they can be” as set out in the EA’s Interim Strategic Plan 2017-2027.

*Business in the Community’s Time to Code initiative was established with support from the Department for Education under the Department’s Children & Young People's Strategy 2019-2029 and in support of the draft Programme for Government 2016-21. It was supported by the private sector with funding from Belfast Harbour and BT.

The EdIS Programme objectives are to ensure that continuous advancements in digital technology are transforming the dynamics of learning, social interaction, and how we engage in work. Not all children in Northern Ireland have equal access to technology or opportunities to develop essential IT skills. Business in the Community’s ‘Time to Code’ initiative aims to redress this imbalance by partnering volunteers from the professional workplace with local primary schools to develop IT skills and prepare children for a digitally advanced future.

The ‘Time to Code’ initiative aims to improve computer coding skills amongst Key Stage 2 (aged 7-11) primary school children across Northern Ireland. The programme is designed to teach children the basics of IT and coding, whilst also elevating their future career aspirations by working closely with professionals from partner organisations.

The EdIS Delivery Partner contractor, working closely with the EA, selects primary schools in socially deprived areas and schools that have expressed a strong interest to participate in the ‘Time to Code’ scheme. The EdIS Delivery Partner contractor provides volunteers from its professional staff to teach coding skills to pupils over an eight-week period.

To date, nine volunteers from the EdIS Delivery Partner have supported delivery of the wider ‘Time to Code’ programme across four primary schools reaching more than 100 pupils in Northern Ireland, with a further two schools planned for the final term of this current academic year.

A report on the ‘Time to Code’ programme noted that with 97% of pupils reporting they enjoyed the ‘Time to Code’ sessions and noticed a significant increase in enjoyment of coding and problem solving. Subsequent reports revealed that 70.6% of participating pupils attended schools where 40% of pupils are in receipt of free school meals, evidencing that the programme is providing equity in the opportunity to develop key IT skills amongst children from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Additionally, the value of this programme is realised across multiple other stakeholders:

• Teachers: Participating teachers noted a personal improvement in their understanding of coding and knowledge of future career opportunities available to their pupils. Teachers further noted pupils have an increased interest in using ICT across a broad range of subjects.
• Parents: Parents realised an increased ambition for their child’s future, alongside an increased awareness of available career opportunities and an improved engagement in their child’s education.
• Volunteers: Volunteers who helped deliver the programme noted that participation not only improved knowledge and awareness of coding, but also an increased sense of fulfilment and social responsibility.

Business in the Community’s ‘Time to Code’ initiative aligns closely with the objectives of the EA’s EdIS Programme and supports realisation of EA’s vision by equipping children with a solid foundation in coding skills, preparing them for the digital world, and boosting their confidence and self-esteem. It ensures equality in opportunities and career aspirations for children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, demonstrating the societal value and impact of this initiative.

This contract is an excellent model which demonstrates how procurement can deliver against EdIS and EA strategic objectives, the Northern Ireland Programme for Government commitments and supporting the delivery of Social Value contractual obligations.