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An Introduction

In September 2014, the UK became the first country in the world to put Computing at the heart of the school curriculum.

Ocado Technology's Code for Life initiative has been developed to help teachers deliver the new curriculum, so they can inspire the next generation of computer scientists. But this is just the beginning. Over the next couple of years, this initiative will be expanded to support pupils throughout their school career, from age five to 16, and beyond.

Rapid Router - Our first app

Rapid Router marks the first step in this journey. It is a free, comprehensive Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2 teaching resource and web application, designed for, and tested by, primary school teachers.

Take the journey


Rapid Router is a fun and engaging education resource which includes a coding game that helps teach children the basic principles of programming.

Built on 'Blockly', an easy-to-use visual programming language that's similar to Scratch, Rapid Router enables teachers to monitor and manage individual pupil progress and identify where more support is required.

Python

Upper Key Stage 2

After Blockly, Rapid Router moves onto coding in Python – an easy language that’s perfect for beginners but also used by organisations such as NASA and Google.

Students will quickly pick up how to write clear, simple lines of code, plus learn the importance of accuracy and correct syntax – critical for all programming languages.

Code for Life and the curriculum

As part of the Key Stage 2 curriculum, pupils are required to:

  • Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.
  • Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output.
  • Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs.*

Using Rapid Router, students will learn…

  • Sequencing – they will direct the van using movement instructions.
  • Repetition – they will use loops to repeat the same code.
  • Selection – they will use the if, else and elif statements.
  • How to define new procedures or functions.
  • How to create a variable, storing a numeric or text-based value.
  • New functions which are already part of Python – for example: print()
  • Debugging syntax errors and program solutions.

*From gov.uk

Step 1 – Introduction to Python

The students start by solving the game levels with Blockly, which is then converted to Python. There are 12 levels to reinforce concepts.

Step 2 – Bye-bye Blockly

Blockly is hidden away altogether and students have to use Python instead. There are 18 levels, giving the students plenty of scope to explore and practise their skills.

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