Over the summer holidays extensive work went on in the Computer Science Department with the creation of a Computing Workshop along with the redecoration and re-equipping of our two Computing Suites.
What is a Computing Workshop?
Robert Bradley, Head of Computer Science at the Senior School explains: “The risk of cyber attack to schools is immense these days, alongside the proliferation of dangers to teenagers online, so computers on the school network, including student laptops, are locked down to ensure that no harm can come to the student or the school network. Whilst this is great for the safety of our students and the ability of the school to continue to provide excellent education every day [A significant cyber attack would cause several days of disruption at a minimum, as well as a massive cost to the school], it means that students cannot ‘play’ with computers to learn all about how they work or how they communicate.
“The Computing Workshop is totally separate from the school network with no internet access, meaning students are able to not only take apart and build computers, they will be able to install operating systems, have admin rights on the computers, network them together and all manner of other activities that cannot be safely done on the school network. We have a number of standalone computers in the workshop plus networking cables attached to an old server rack containing a number of switches and servers that the students will also be able to access.
“The Workshop will also contain a number of other devices that students can use to create Internet of Things (IoT) devices. We have a number of micro:bits, Raspberry Pi’s and Arduinos that will allow students to build a wide range of devices from sensors to automated environmental systems. Mr Baker, our Robotics specialist, is also excited about having a place to build and run robots made from these devices and the Lego robotics kit used in the First Lego League competition.
“Personally I am looking forward to being able to teach cybersecurity to students looking at a career in this important field. We will have a couple of machines running the linux operating system networked to vulnerable virtual machines on our servers so that the students can practise their hacking skills in a safe environment.
“I am so thankful to the Governors and the Senior Management Team for their investment in our subject. I am obviously extremely biassed in my opinion, but I feel Computer Science is an extremely important subject, fitting as it does in the intersection of Mathematics, Science and Engineering, especially in the modern era with the increase in automated systems and artificial intelligence. This workshop will allow us to give our students a hands-on learning experience that will greatly enhance their understanding of Computing and Computer Science and hopefully inspire more students to think about a career in this important field.
The summer holidays also saw both of our Computing Suites being redecorated and new slimline computers added.
Sarah Tullis, Head of Senior School, added “We can’t wait to see students making use of and being inspired by these new spaces and in particular our unique Workshop. We hope that it will give students a special opportunity to network, create, think and re-think and in the process inspire them as genuine computer scientists. Computer Science is a crucial and foundational subject and it is wonderful to see it flourishing in our school. Investing in the transformation of these spaces is an investment in all of our students and their futures, whatever routes they choose.”
Nadine Doble, Head of Finance and Resources, commented “ I am thrilled with the transformation that has been made to the Computer Science learning spaces over the summer break, I am sure the students are going to love the hands on experience of the workshop which has the extra bonus of repurposing no longer in use networking equipment.