1000 Local Children Discover Coding With ComputerXplorers Colchester

As National Coding Week kicks off this 15th-21st September, ComputerXplorers Colchester celebrates connecting over 1,000 kids and counting, with coding.

Colchester resident Neil Howard launched ComputerXplorers in late 2023 after returning to the area from Cape Town, South Africa.

When he returned to his hometown, Neil began looking for an opportunity that would allow him to continue working with the community and to make a lasting impact.

The father-of-two teenage boys had seen the growth of computer clubs in Cape Town schools and was aware of the growing importance for his children to have computer skills.

ComputerXplorers Colchester officially launched in September 2023, providing a hands-on educational programme that gives children the practical and creative tools they need to thrive in a technology-driven future.

Since its launch, 1,007 local kids across the Colchester area have been introduced to coding along with other in-demand technologies including 3D animation and modelling, web design, robotics, Minecraft, and app building.

Now entering his third year of business, Neil and his team work with seven local primary schools; Alresford Primary School, Broomgrove County Junior School, Elmstead Market Primary School, Heathlands Primary School, Millfields Primary School, Montgomery Junior School, St. Peters C of E Primary School, as well as local secondary school Philip Morant, delivering classes and after-school clubs for children of all abilities. There’s also an OFSTED-registered midweek and weekend academy at The Philip Morant School, for those who don’t have classes or clubs at their local schools

Neil said, “I like knowing how things work and understanding how to build and fix things myself. This curiosity is what drew me to the ComputerXplorers network – it is all about combining real-world skills with digital tools to explore things in greater depth and problem solve. And yet, when the kids are learning important skills like coding, they are doing so in such a fun and interactive way that it doesn’t feel like a traditional lesson.”

Get Coding for National Coding Week

To mark National Coding Week, Neil is encouraging teachers, parents and community group leaders to introduce children to coding with the help of a free resource available when you visit:

computerxplorers.co.uk/access-free-coding-starter-kit/

“I’m so proud to have introduced more than 1,000 children to coding so far, and I can’t wait to see where their interest in computing takes them. Every child should have the chance to explore coding and develop creative computing skills,” adds Neil. “There are developments happening in tech all the time, we’re just getting started.”

Try coding with ComputerXplorers

To find out more about hosting a ComputerXplorers session at school, nursery or community facilities or to learn more about the classes already running in Colchester:

Visit: computerxplorers.co.uk/colchester

Email Neil at colchester@computerxplorers.co.uk

Or call 01206 670143 and speak to Neil directly.

Interested and want to know more about ComputerXplorers?

The ComputerXplorers profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.

View franchise profile