FAQs

  • What payment methods do you accept?
  • Where is my refund?
  • Discount Codes
  • Where is your main office located?
  • How long have you been running your services?
  • Can my child learn to code in a day?
  • Getting Ready to Code - Important Info for Parents
  • Is there any specific software I should install in advance?
  • What laptop spec will my child need for Minecraft Modding?
  • Does BlueShift run an after-school club at my child's school?
  • Do BlueShift teach in schools?
  • What age groups do you teach?
  • I'm having issues booking online, what should I do?
  • Which level should I sign my child up for?
  • My child is a total beginner should I still sign up?
  • Do you offer camps during school holidays?
  • How do I talk to my child's teacher?
  • Extended Day options at Camp
  • Parent Events at Camp
  • Camp Graduation Ceremonies
  • Admin Charge
  • Camp Risk Assessment
  • Can I use childcare vouchers?
  • Photography Consent
  • Introduction to camps
  • How to get to camp
  • Dates and Times
  • Staying in Touch
  • Credit
  • What to bring to camp
  • What NOT to bring to camp
  • Students with special educational needs and disabilities, and medical information
  • Arrival to camp
  • Lunch
  • Pick-up
  • A typical day
  • Lost and found
  • Laptops and Devices
  • Software
  • Code of Conduct
  • Refunds
  • Sickness
  • Medical Policy
  • Can I book individual days at camp?
  • Will my child need their own laptop?
  • My child doesn't have a laptop - will an iPad or tablet suffice instead?
  • How can I keep track of my child's work?
  • Does my child need to bring a packed lunch?
  • How do I talk to my child's teacher?
  • Do you offer camps during school holidays?
  • Cancellations
  • Overview of our COVID-19 Camps Policy
  • CampShift policy
  • What is your camp refund policy?
  • Child Safeguarding Policy
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Behaviour and Discipline Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • How to start a tuition subscription and schedule your lessons
  • Cancellation policy for online tuition
  • Private Tuition Subscription Policy & FAQ's
  • Quick Start: Summary Guide for Online Tuition
  • What headset do I need?
  • What is your illness policy?
  • What operating system do I need?
  • How to reschedule or cancel your tuition lessons
  • What does my child need for online tuition?
  • How to set up on Zoom
  • How to set up an online code editor and use Zoom in class
  • What if I don't like the teacher after my trial session?
  • Can I request a specific teacher?
  • Can you teach at locations outside of London?
  • Can I use childcare vouchers?
  • I don’t want your tutor to see my house, can I make the session more private?
  • Is there a cut-off for when I can book a trial lesson?
  • Is 1:1 online tuition appropriate for my child’s age?
  • What is your lateness and recording policy for online classes?
  • How we ensure your child's safety in our online classrooms?
  • Quick Start: Summary Guide for Online Classes
  • Touch typing resources
  • What headset do I need?
  • Minecraft Modding Setup Guide
  • Mini Coders Setup Guide
  • Python Setup Guide
  • Staying Safe on Roblox
  • What is your refund policy for online classes?
  • What equipment does my child need for remote learning?
  • How do I find the link to the class?
  • Can I use an iPad or tablet instead of laptop / PC?
  • How to get set up on our Virtual Classroom with Zoom
  • How do I set up an online code editor and use Zoom in class?
  • Create an account for your online class
  • Is there a cut-off for when I can book a course for the following week?
  • Can I use childcare vouchers?
  • Can I book individual days?
  • Are online classes appropriate for my child’s age?
  • Scratch Exercise: Drawing Duck
  • Scratch Exercise: Coordinate Drawing
  • Scratch Exercise: Bug Hunter
  • Scratch Exercise: Kick the Ball
  • Scratch Exercise: Make a Move
  • Scratch Exercise: Password Generator
  • Scratch Exercise: Car
  • Pixel Programming
  • Creating a Score System
  • Debug Your Game
  • Design Your Own App
  • Scratch Exercise: Duck
  • Scratch Exercise: Tommy
  • Debug it!
  • Apple Collecting Game
  • Drawing With Coordinates
  • Treasure Hunt Activities 1-3
  • Binary Code Breaking Activity
  • Flipbook
  • Pixel Colouring Activity
  • Overview of our COVID-19 Camps Policy
  • CampShift policy
  • Parent Events at Camp
  • Camp Graduation Ceremonies
  • Camp Risk Assessment
  • What is your camp refund policy?
  • Can I use childcare vouchers?
  • Child Safeguarding Policy
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Behaviour and Discipline Policy
  • Photography consent
  • Introduction
  • How to get to camp
  • Dates and times
  • Staying in touch
  • What to bring to camp
  • What NOT to bring to camp
  • Students with special educational needs and disabilities, and medical information
  • Arrival
  • Lunch
  • 2.0 Scratch Jr: Character conversation
  • 1.0 Pong Game
  • 2.0 Logic Reasoning
  • 3.0 Quest Game
  • 3.1 Quest Game 2
  • 4.0 Don't pop the balloon!
  • 1.1 Intro to Scratch 2
  • 1.2 Intro to Scratch 3
  • 2.0 Conversation
  • 3.0 Drawing with Sprites
  • 4.0 Scratch Moon Landing
  • 5.0 Dance Party
  • 5.1 10 Block Dance Party Challenge
  • 1.0 Introduction to Scratch Jr: Create an animation
  • 4.0 Scratch Jr: Basketball Animation
  • 3.0 Scratch Jr: Spooky forest
  • 1.0 Intro to Scratch 1

Payment

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept the following credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover. We only take payment once your order has been shipped. We also accept payment by PayPal or Amazon Pay. If you decide to use either of these two methods, you’ll be taken to either the PayPal or Amazon Pay website, where you’ll be prompted to log in and process your payment. You’ll then be directed back to our merchant website once your transaction is complete.

Where is my refund?

We aim to process refunds within three days of an item being returned to us. Please note, however, that your bank may take several days to process the payment back into your account. With that said, please allow up to ten working days after posting the item back to us before getting in touch about your refund. We’ll contact you by email to let you know when your refund has been processed.

Discount Codes

When paying for a BlueShift product/service, we may offer discounts and promotions. 

You are entitled to use ONE discount code per order. You will be unable to use multiple discount codes at the checkout. 

Please get in touch at hello@blueshiftcoding.com if you have any questions or problems.

Locations

Where is your main office located?

Our registered business address is Great Western Studios, 65 Alfred Road, London W2 5EU.

General FAQ'S

How long have you been running your services?

BlueShift has been running coding camps since 2013, starting in our Notting Hill studio. We now host the camps in a number of locations and run after school clubs in a variety of schools. See our Schools We Work With page for more information. 

We have been running in-person tuition since 2018 across the Central London area.

In response to COVID-19 we launched our online classes and after school club offering in March 2020. Alongside this we also introduced online tuition.

Can my child learn to code in a day?

You can learn a lot about code and have an appreciation of code, but coding, like anything else takes practice and dedication to reach a level of mastery.

Getting Ready to Code - Important Info for Parents

At blue{shift} coding, we know that learning to code for the first time can seem daunting!

That's why we’ve put together a short guide to the important skills we believe children need in order to get the most out of both our online and offline courses. All of these skills are simple - they just require a bit of explanation & practice beforehand!

Core skill #1: Using a mouse

We recommend that our customers use a physical mouse and mouse mat where possible, as we have found that this is the easiest set-up for younger children to use. They can, however, also use a laptop keypad.

Whether it is a keypad or a physical mouse, make sure your child knows the difference between left-clicking and right-clicking.  

Left-clicking allows your child to click and drag things on screen, like blocks in Scratch.

Right-clicking allows your child to highlight text, as well as copy and paste links!

This is important for our classes as it enables your child to share their class work with their teacher by copying and pasting the link to their projects.

Is your child struggling to distinguish between left and right? 

Here's a simple activity! Get your child to put both of their hands flat on the table, palms facing down. Show them how their left hand makes a natural ‘L’ shape, so they will always know their left from right.

 

Core skill #2: Using an internet browser

Explain to your child that there are different types of internet apps (browsers) that you can use to access the web. 

Whilst these different versions (Google Chrome; Internet Explorer; Firefox; Safari) have different layouts they all allow you to access web pages. When teaching your child about browsers it's best to use one that you are familiar with - it's easier to explain the features when you know them yourself!

The key skills that your child needs to learn for our classes are how to type in a link and how to open multiple tabs. 

In your browser show your child where to type a link. Explain that this link needs to be typed correctly in order to be successful.

Example of a link:


Once you've demonstrated how to reach a website, it's time to show your child how to open multiple tabs.
Tabs may be required if we ask your child to open two websites at the same time, such as a coding website, and homework space.

Example of two tabs (press the + button to open a new tab):

 

Core skill #3: Touch typing

We find that while most students grasp coding concepts quite well, typing tends to bring the most difficulties. As such, we have put together a list of free resources that your child can use to prepare for their coding lessons. Click here to read this.

Unlike using a mouse and having knowledge of a web browser, typing requires practice and can be quite foreign for children at first. However, don't let this put you off - it doesn't take much to learn, a few minutes a day for a couple of weeks and your child will be a pro!

While basic typing skills (such as being able to type their name) are strongly encouraged for all lessons, typing becomes even more important for more advanced text-based languages like JavaScript and Python where it is an invaluable skill!

 

Final tip for parents: Troubleshooting and supporting your child

If your child accidentally deletes their code during an online class, you can support them by:

  • Ensuring they save their work every five minutes (File > Save)

  • Staying calm and asking your teacher for help!

  • If a small line of code/code block was accidentally deleted, you can use keyboard shortcuts on your computer to UNDO or REDO work (below)

For Mac users:
Undo an action: Press Command-Z on your keyboard (hit the Command and Z keys simultaneously)
Redo an action: Press Command-Shift-Z (hit the Command, Shift, and Z keys simultaneously)

For Windows users:
Undo an action: Press Control-Z on your keyboard (hit the Control and Z keys simultaneously)
Redo an action: Press Control-Y (hit the Control and Y keys simultaneously)

Thank you for reading our guide. We hope this helps your child feel more prepared for their first coding class, and ready to get coding!

Is there any specific software I should install in advance?

Our Junior students will need Scratch on their laptops and we also recommend having a bookmark to the Scratch website ready, as sometimes we do work online. 

For Minecraft Modders students, you should install Minecraft and the LearnToMod program (note you will also need a Minecraft license - these can be bought via us when booking). We recommend that you also install the Google Chrome web browser.

What laptop spec will my child need for Minecraft Modding?

For those with children who are Minecraft modders and adventure-mode enthusiasts, choosing the correct laptop can be difficult. Minecraft modding and game design require more than just the basic processing speed, memory storage, and software platforms. We at BlueShift use the 15 inch HP Pavilion laptop in our Minecraft Modding Camps because it has all the power and flexibility needed for coding and modding. However, this does not mean it is your only option!

 

When playing and modding Minecraft, your child’s computer needs to have certain requirements, so it pays to check these before purchasing their next laptop. Before breaking down the specifics, we just want to clear up some of the terminology you may encounter during your shopping. First, the central processing unit (CPU) is the circuitry and processing component of a laptop, and random access memory (RAM) and hard disk drive (HDD) store data and digital information. In regards to the display, the graphic processing unit (GPU) handles the hard work of delivering the game’s more intense graphics. Lastly, Java is a computer language that assists in Minecraft modifications and programming.

 

A camper tests out his mods at Minecraft Modding Camp

 

Here are the minimum requirements for a Minecraft laptop:

 

  • CPU: Intel Core i3–3210 3.2 GHz / AMD A8–7600 APU 3.1 GHz or equivalent

  • RAM: 2GB

  • GPU (Integrated): Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge) or AMD Radeon R5 series (Kaveri line) with OpenGL 4.4

  • GPU (Discrete): Nvidia GeForce 400 series or AMD Radeon HD 7000 with OpenGL 4.4

  • HDD: At least 1 GB for Game Core and Other Files

  • Java 8

These are the recommended requirements for the best gaming and modding experience:

 

  • CPU: Intel Core i5–4690 3.5GHz / AMD A10–7800 APU 3.5 GHz or equivalent

  • RAM: 4GB

  • GPU: GeForce 700 Series or AMD Radeon Rx 200 Series (excluding integrated chipsets) with OpenGL 4.5

  • HDD: 4GB

  • Latest release of Java 8 from java.com

Minecraft is now being used in educationHere’s why Minecraft needs higher specs: it is no ordinary video game. The popular app, which allows users to create brick heroes and construct realms from other worlds, requires more power from the computer than many others you’ll be used to running.

 

Since the game is highly technical and visual, it requires specific processing, graphic cards, and storage. To make the most out of Minecraft, your kid’s laptop will need the correct hardware and software, like the newest Minecraft Release. If your child is enrolled in our Creative Coding Minecraft camp, visit our website to see what specific apps we recommend to have downloaded before arrival.

 

Whether your child is building the next architectural monument or smashing invading creepers, the laptop they use is essential for the quality of coding (and creativity!) in Minecraft.

 

If you have any other questions on purchasing a laptop suitable for Minecraft or software needed, please contact us.

 

Does BlueShift run an after-school club at my child's school?

Maybe! You can see a full list of the schools we currently work with on our Schools We Work With page. If you don't see your child's school there, get in touch with us using the chat box on the bottom left of your screen and let us know - we're always looking for new schools!

Do BlueShift teach in schools?

Yes! We teach classes that address the New National Curriculum for Computing during the day, and we also host after-school clubs at a number of schools. Visit our Schools page to see a full list of schools we work with.

What age groups do you teach?

Our courses and camps cover children aged from 5 to 14. You can find details of all our upcoming courses at www.blueshiftcoding.com.

I'm having issues booking online, what should I do?

Get in touch and our team will be happy to help! You can either email us at hello@blueshiftcoding.com, call us on 0203 176 4660 or just click the little chat box icon in the bottom right of your screen and send us an instant message. 

Which level should I sign my child up for?

Each of our courses have a recommended age group. You can find out more about our levels on Our Curriculum page.


If your child has done coding before, they might be ready to go to a more advanced class. We suggest following the stated age range for each course, and to contact us for advice if you feel your child has more experience than that age range suggests. Click the chat icon in the bottom left of your screen if you'd like to get in touch.

My child is a total beginner should I still sign up?

We tend to recommend that children have at least started reception before attending a BlueShift Camp, as they need to have had some exposure to reading. Most of our intermediate courses are suitable for coding beginners, although we do recommend that students have some familiarity with touch typing and/or basic coding platforms such as Scratch

 

In-Person Coding Camps

Do you offer camps during school holidays?

Yes! We offer seasonal camps throughout the year, primarily:

  • October Half Term

  • December/Christmas Holidays

  • February Half Term

  • Easter Holidays

  • Summer Half Term

  • Summer Holidays

These usually run between one and two weeks in duration, and up to six weeks in the summer holidays. Please check our courses page for details on all our upcoming  camps. 

How do I talk to my child's teacher?

There are a number of ways you can get in touch with your child's teacher during camp.


For most things we recommend messaging them on ClassDojo - an app which allows parents to communicate with the teachers and see photos of their child’s work. Our teachers will aim to respond as soon as possible.


We also run a 'Meet the Teachers' morning, the Monday of camp. This is where you can meet your child's teacher and discuss the course. You can then catch up with them in our Friday 'Parent-Teacher' morning, in this hour you can discuss their progress. Both of these mornings will run from 9-10AM, and coffee/refreshments will be available.


Please note that we do not schedule 'meeting times' during these hour long sessions, therefore we cannot guarantee that you will not be waiting whilst the teacher is talking to another parent.  

Extended Day options at Camp

By popular demand, we have re-introduced the option of extended days for our Summer camps this year.

 

What is the extended day option?

This is for any parents and carers who want a later pickup option than the normal camp finish time.

 

What time can we pick- up?

Extended days means you can pick up your child between the hours of 4-5pm.

 

How much will this cost?

It will cost £15 extra each day.

 

How can I buy this?

The option is available when booking a course. Fill in all your child's relevant details like normal, and the following page will give you to the option to pay for an extended day/s

 

What will they do during this hour?

The activities will include the same range of activities as break times. For example, colouring and crafts, construction toys, card games and outdoor play (if weather permitted.)

 

How will they be supervised?

A member of the BlueShift team will always be on site and supervising, alongside one of our teacher's who will be in the classroom with the students. If a member of staff needs to get in touch with you, they will ring the mobile number you provided and you can contact us on our business number: 02031764660

 

Can I pay for an extended day after I've booked?

Yes, absolutely! Simply get in touch with a member of staff via our hello@blueshiftcoding.com email or ring us at: 02031764660

Parent Events at Camp

Please note that some parent events might not be running for the time-being due to COVID-19. Parents will be informed via email and ClassDojo about all parent events happening at camp. Parents will be able to get in touch with teachers via ClassDojo and are able to ring our event team if they have any questions.

 

On the first day of camp (normally a Monday), we host a 'Meet the Teachers' morning between 9-10am. This is your chance to meet the teacher who will be teaching your child, discuss the course and ask any questions! 

 

On the last day of camp (normally a Friday), we host a 'Parent-Teacher Meeting' morning between 9-10am. In this hour you can ask your child's teacher how they got on, ask for tips on what you can do to extend your child's learning at home or which course they should do next!

 

Refreshments will be available on both mornings. Please note that we do not ask you to book time slots, so plan to arrive early if you want to make sure you're not waiting to talk to a teacher!
If you don't get to ask as many questions as you would like, remember that we will be sending you a report card all about your child's coding experience at camp.

Camp Graduation Ceremonies

On Friday afternoons we invite all parents and carers to come and watch their child graduate!

The graduation ceremony takes place at 3:45PM. Please arrive 5 minutes before so you can make your way to the hall.

The ceremony will consist of each child receiving a certificate and small prize. Children who were best behaved throughout the week will also receive an additional prize!

Admin Charge

Please note, any changes made by you (the customer) to a camp booking, (for example, chaging the camp date) will result in a £25 admin fee.

Camp Risk Assessment

This risk assessment was created in September 2019, and will be updated as new risks are identified.

Can I use childcare vouchers?

What are childcare vouchers?
Childcare vouchers are an employee benefit that companies can offer their staff that is tax and National Insurance exempt to a limit.

The Government closed the childcare vouchers scheme to new entrants on the 4th October 2019. If you are already a part of the scheme you can continue to use childcare vouchers, provided you stay with the same employer and your child remains eligible.

 

How you can use your childcare vouchers with BlueShift

 

Once you know which course you would like your child to attend, please book that course at full price using our website - this allows us to collect vital information such as your child's name, age and coding experience, as well as your contact details.

 

Once you have booked you will receive a booking confirmation email, which includes your booking number. It should look something like this: #1234. Please then get in touch with us at hello@blueshiftcoding.com with the name of your childcare voucher provider, and a member of the team will send you our details so you can find us! We ask that you to include your booking number in your payment reference.

 

Once we receive your childcare voucher payment, we will refund your original booking in full by matching your childcare voucher reference to your booking number.

 

Providers we are currently registered with

 

Care4, Edenred, Fideliti, Kiddivouchers, Reward Gateway Childcare, Sodexo, Allsave, Childcare Plus, Myfamilycarevouchers, Faircare, Gemelli and Co-Op Flexible Benefits.

 

If you don't see your childcare provider, please contact us at hello@blueshiftcoding.com and we'll sign up!

 

 

Photography Consent

Often at camps we will have a professional photographer present to document the event in a non-distracting or disruptive way. When you booked your child's camp, you will have been asked whether you consent to your child being photographed. If you selected yes, you agree that their images can be used in:

 

  • BlueShift newsletters and round-ups of the camp

  • BlueShift social media channels

  • On the BlueShift website and any future iterations thereof

  • In BlueShift marketing materials and prospectuses

If you selected no when answering the photo consent question, your child's image may be unintentionally captured but will never be used publicly - we ascertain consent very carefully with our photographers. However some images will be shared via ClassDojo (see the Staying in Touch page for more information about how ClassDojo works) but these are strictly limited to parents of children attending camps and staff of BlueShift.

 

If you have any questions or concerns about photography consent, please don't hesitate to get in touch. 

Introduction to camps

Hi there! We're so pleased you've booked a place for your child on an upcoming BlueShift holiday coding camp. This parents' handbook is designed to give you all the information you'll need before, during, and after the camp takes place. 

 

We want you and your children to feel happy, safe, and stimulated by the courses we have on offer and the environment we work in. Therefore, the handbook includes details of (among other things):

 

  • What a typical day at camp looks like

  • What you'll need to bring (and what not to bring!)

  • Our rules and code of conduct

  • Our policies on refunds, sickness, and emergencies

We hope you find the information useful, clear, and are reassured that your child is going to have a brilliant, safe, and productive time with us!

 

If you have any further questions that aren't answered in these pages, please don't hesitate to get in touch via the little blue chat icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.

How to get to camp

BlueShift's holiday camp locations:

Both of our upcoming camps are taking place at the JCB of Notting Hill Prep School. Please see maps and more information below.

 

See below for maps and closest tube stations

 

Notting Hill Preparatory School
The Jane Cameron Building, 124 Lancaster Road,
W11 1QQ

 

Nearest tube stations: Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate

 

Look for our sign outside the door!

 

 

Colville Primary School
Lonsdale Rd, Notting Hill, London
W11 2DF

 

Nearest tube stations: Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate

 

Look for our sign outside the door!

 

Dates and Times

Camps coming up:

To find out what camps are on offer, please head to the 'in person' tab on our webiste. These will be our current and up-to date camps.

The genreal timing's for camp are from 10AM - 4PM. 

However depending on the camp you're attending we may have included an early arrival option: drop off at 9AM - 10AM, as well as included an extended day option which means pick-up can be from 4-5PM. Extended day options usually cost a fee of around £15 per day. 

All updated information for your camp will be availble on the course pages, so look out for these options, or get in touch with a member of our team and they'll let you know what we're offering at that camp. 

Staying in Touch

Before Camp

We will send you a reminder email confirming times, location and other relevant details about the upcoming camp a few days before it starts - with links to this Parents' Handbook so you won't lose it! You will also get an invite to join ClassDojo (see below).

During Camp

We will be using ClassDojo, a communications app that lets parents see what their child is doing, during the camp. You will be able to see photos of your child's work, message the teachers directly, and keep up to date with your young coder's progress. You will find schedules and reports on your child's progress here as well.

We think it's a brilliant platform and you'll get a great deal of feedback from your teachers. For more information on how ClassDojo is used in schools (and camps like ours!), do check out their site. 

After Camp

We will send you an email with the highlights of the camp and some lessons to use as you continue your child's progress at home. We'll also send you your child's personal report card, written by their teacher, by email shortly after camp!

If you have any urgent queries, we are always available at hello@blueshiftcoding.com, by phone on 020 3176 4660 or by using the blue chat icon in the bottom right of your screen.

Credit

BlueShift credit is only available for the remainder of the calendar year. From the 1st January all credit will be wiped. Please get in contact with a member of the team if you have any questions regarding this. 

What to bring to camp

  • A laptop (not required for Mini Coders or if you selected an option to rent one) - more info here)

  • Any laptop chargers and a case

  • A packed lunch - more info here

  • A labelled, refillable water bottle

  • Weather appropriate clothing (rain gear, wellies, sweatshirt, etc - we'll be playing outside each day!)

  • A note with all necessary passwords written down - more info here

What NOT to bring to camp

Please do not bring any of the following to camp:

  • Mobile phones

  • Toys 

  • Electronic devices (other than those being used for courses)

  • Jewellery or valuables 

  • Snacks or packed lunched containing nuts

If you have any questions or concerns about something you or your child are planning on bringing into camp, please get in touch via the chat icon at the bottom of your screen or call 0203 176 4660.

Students with special educational needs and disabilities, and medical information

We want to make sure that your child has the best experience possible. So if there is anything that you think we should know about, please arrive early for a chat with your child's teacher.

SEND students

Our programs are designed to be suitable for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), however, every child responds to the activities differently. All of our teachers have had some basic training, but feel free to reach out to us to help our teachers understand your child's specific needs. Please come to the camp ahead of drop-off time on the first day for a short meeting with a teacher in order to make your child's experience at the camp a great one.

Meetings can also be arranged via phone on 0203 176 4660, by email at hello@blueshiftcoding.com or via live chat using the blue icon at the bottom of your screen.

Medical information

Please inform us about any allergies or any other relevant information either when signing up for your course or by phone or email as per the contact details above.

Arrival to camp

 

Registration on the first day of camp (usually Monday) takes place between 9am and 10am. Please try to arrive earlier rather than later as we will be very busy by 9:45 am!

 

On subsequent days of camp (usually Tuesday-Friday) arrival should be between 9.45am and 10am. You can also drop your child off from 9am, campers will play some games bofere classes start. Early drop off is included in the price.

 

Lessons begin each day at 10am and finish at 4pm. We start and finish right on time so please be prompt! Attendance is taken each morning.

 

Safe Arrival Program

The Safe Arrival Program ensures campers arrive safely at camp each morning. If your child is going to be absent, please let the camp office know as soon as possible. If an absence is not reported and your child is not at camp, we will call you to ensure he/she is safe.

To assist with the running of our Safe Arrival Program, please inform us as soon as you know that your child is going to be late or absent.

Lunch

On each day of camp, there will be a lunch break between 12:30pm and 1:30pm, with 30 minutes to eat lunch and 30 minutes of play time.

Please provide your child with a packed lunch on each day of camp - no nuts, please! Snacks will be provided during breaks.

In an effort to be sustainable, we ask that parents send their children to camp with a reusable water bottle. Children will be shown where they can refill their water bottles, and staff will allow for this at any time.

Please kindly let us know if your child has any allergies that we need to be aware of.

Finally, please label all items that your child brings to camp, including coats, hats, and lunchboxes.

 

Pick-up

Please note that our late pick up scheme is no longer running due to COVID-19. We will also be sending more detailed information about specific pick-up times to ensure social distancing closer to the start date of camp. For this detailed information please check the communications we send you.

 

Pick up time on each day of camp is at 4pm. Children will be let out through the playground gate or the main entrance depending on weather conditions, and must be signed out by the camp staff.

If you are not the person collecting your child, please let us know in the morning. We will only sign the child out upon ensuring that eye contact with an adult has been made and that  the child knows the person picking them up.

 

Late pick up will be available only to those who have paid for it. Late pick up is unavailable on the last day of camp.

 

If you arrive to pick your child up later than 4.15pm without arranging late pick up with us, you will have to pay £15 on the day.

 

If you pay for late pick up but arrive an unreasonable amount of time after 5pm you will be charged an extra £15.

 

Early pick up

If you need to pick up your child prior to regular dismissal times, please notify the office. Please inform us during arrival time on the day or by telephone, specifying the name of the child and the time of pick up. Your child will be brought to the reception area at the allotted time and supervised until your arrival.

 

A typical day

Below is an example of how a typical day at a BlueShift coding camp will go. Schedules change according to the camp in question, of course, and detailed timetables will be available as handouts at the camp.

 

An example camp timetable for our Mini Coders course

 

Morning

9am: Early drop off begins.

 

9:45 – 10am: Welcome Campers! Sign in, wave your adults goodbye and buckle up for a day of fun.

 

10.00am: Kick off with ice-breaker games and get to know each other – we guarantee you’ll get to laugh at your teachers and their silly antics!

 

10:15am: Introduction to our activity for the day. Let’s get coding!

 

11:15am: Fruit snack and water.

 

11.30am: Back to coding, building, designing and creating.

 

12:00pm: Lunch box time – grab your packed lunch, fuel up and re-focus that brain of yours.

 

12:30pm: Outdoor games – let’s get physical (we may even re-enact some of the games we make on our laptops!) If the weather does not allow it, we will do some hands-on activities inside.

 

Afternoon

1:00pm: Back to class – let’s build robots!

 

2:15pm: Short break

 

2:30pm: Finish off building and engineering - it is time to program the robots!

3:30pm: Show and tell – you’ll get the chance to impress your friends with your fine handiwork, attention to detail and creativity.

 

4pm: Pack your bags, go home and chill out!

 

Please note that sometimes a teacher will change a schedule depending on students' ability and interests.

 

To read more about a typical day at a blue{shift} camp, take a look at our blog post "What Happens at a blue{shift} Coding Camp?"

Lost and found

Please label everything clearly with your child’s first and last name to ensure items are returned. There will be a lost and found located in the camp office or the reception area. Staff will also display misplaced items at time of pick up. Please notify a staff member of lost items as soon as possible.
Please note that we cannot take responsibility for lost items.

Laptops and Devices

We operate a "bring your own laptop" policy for most courses (laptops are not required for Mini Coders). We encourage each child to bring their own computer to allow them to code independently at camp and afterwards. For those who have selected to borrow a laptop, they will be available for pickup on site with all required software installed.

 

Please be sure to label your child's laptop, case, and all cables.

 

IMPORTANT: Please send your child along with their admin password to their laptop, as well as any passwords they may have associated with accounts they will be using, for example Minecraft. 

 

If you are unsure whether your child's laptop is suitable for the course, please contact the office.

 

Minecraft Modding

Minecraft Modding courses require a higher specification of computer than our other courses. If your child is enrolled on this course, please be aware of the following recommended specifications:

 

Minimum Requirements:

CPU: Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 (K8) 2.6 GHz
RAM: 2GB
GPU (Integrated): Intel HD Graphics or AMD (formerly ATI) Radeon HD Graphics with OpenGL 2.1
GPU (Discrete): Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT or AMD Radeon HD 2400 with OpenGL 3.1
HDD: At least 200MB for Game Core and Other Files
Java 6 Release 45

 

Recommended Requirements:

CPU: Intel Core i3 or AMD Athlon II (K10) 2.8 GHz
RAM: 4GB
GPU: GeForce 2xx Series or AMD Radeon HD 5xxx Series (Excluding Integrated Chipsets) with OpenGL 3.3
HDD: 1GB
Latest release of Java 8 from java.com

 

Software Requirements:

Minecraft Release 1.6 or newer. Older versions will need to be updated to current versions.
Please note that some users experience issues playing Minecraft while using a mismatched version of Java for their operating system (32 or 64 bit), while using certain versions of Java 7, or while multiple versions of Java are installed.

 

You can find out more about laptop specs for Minecraft in our handy blog post here

Software

It is enormously helpful to the smooth running of our camps if children already have the relevant software installed on their laptops! Thank you in advance for your help in ensuring your child is prepared. 

 

We ask that everybody has the Google Chrome browser installed to make sure that all the online programs run smoothly.

Please see below for required downloads for each of our courses:

 

Minecraft Modders

Minecraft Modders will need to have downloaded Minecraft and signed up for an account. If you chose to buy a Minecraft account when you booked your course, this will be provided on the first day of camp.

 

LearnToMod accounts will be provided for the duration of the camp. If you wish your child to continue modding when camp is over, you can purchase your own license here.

 

If your child will be using an existing Minecraft account, it's really important that they have the login details written down when they arrive at camp!

 

Scratch Courses

Scratch students will need to have downloaded the Scratch offline editor which can be found here.

Scratch will be used primarily online during the camp, but to prevent any errors occurring or in the event of internet connectivity problems, it helps to have it downloaded to their hard drive.

 

Other courses

That's it! We will notify you in plenty of time if any other programs will be used and need to be installed.

Code of Conduct

We offer a positive, safe and respectful environment for all, and encourage all campers to demonstrate respectful and appropriate behaviour towards their peers and the camp staff. To ensure that all BlueShift coding camps are pleasant for everyone, there are some basic rules that must be followed by all campers.

 

Please review the guidelines of behaviour below with your child before they attend camp. 

 

We follow three very important rules during our camps: Ready, Respectful, and Safe.

 

Ready means:

 

  • Being prepared for the class and ready to learn

  • Preparing all the equipment for the start of class

  • Finding a seat without protest

  • Listening to the instructions of your teacher

  • Packing my things and tidying my workspace before dismissal

Respectful means:

 

  • Not interrupting or shouting while others are speaking

  • Being kind and respectful to everyone at camp 

  • Being responsible for my own actions

  • Respecting other people’s property

  • Not using profanity or saying unkind words

  • Not leaving the camp grounds without permission 

  • Not littering

  • Not teasing, taunting, or gossiping

  • Not bullying or intimidating others in any way

Safe means:

 

  • Being careful with the equipment

  • Not endangering myself or others during playtime

  • Not running around in the school except the playground

  • Sitting down when eating

  • Not pushing each other

  • Being careful while playing

  • Waiting to be checked out at pick up

  • Not playing in playground areas designed for children older than me

If you have any questions about our policies, please contact the camp office.

Refunds

Please make sure that you request the cancellation in writing via email to hello@blueshiftcoding.com.

 

Before the course starts:

 

If you want to cancel your online class booking 14+ days prior to the start date, then you may either choose to receive the full course amount as credit for a future course or receive the full amount as a refund.

 

If you want to cancel your online class booking 13 - 7 days prior to the start date, then you may either choose to receive the full course amount as credit for a future course or receive 50% of the amount paid as a refund.

 

If you want to cancel your online class within a week of the course starting then we’ll happily offer the full amount of the course as credit for future courses but you won’t be able to receive a refund.

 

Please note that these policies are slightly different if you’re a first time BlueShift customer. Please refer to the section below for more detail.

 

During the course:

 

If you’re a first time BlueShift customer:

 

We appreciate that if it’s your first time experiencing BlueShift you want to feel confident using our services, that’s why if your child completes their first day of camps and decides that it’s not for them, we will refund the remaining days of camp you have booked.

 

If you decide that the BlueShift class is not for your child at any point after the beginning of the second day of camp, we will provide the cost of the remaining days as credit towards a future BlueShift course.

 

 

If you’re not a first time BlueShift customer:

 

If at any point during the week you decide that your child no longer wants to continue, we’ll happily roll over the remaining days of camps as credit towards any future BlueShift products but won’t be able to provide a refund.

 

If for any reason the camp is cancelled by BlueShift, we will refund the fee paid in full.

 

Fees are non-returnable for students arriving late, leaving early or missing a day of camp for any reason.

Sickness

Campers should not be brought to camp if they are displaying signs of illness.
In the case of a camper who has become ill during camp hours, parents will be notified immediately to pick their child up.

 

If a child misses a day or multiple days of camp because of an illness, credit towards another camp can be arranged with the office if BlueShift is contacted within 24 hours. You can get in touch via phone on 0203 176 4660, via email at hello@blueshiftcoding.com or via live chat using the blue chat icon at the bottom of your screen.

Medical Policy

When you sign up for camp, you agree to medical treatment being given to the Student if required in accordance with the recommendations of a qualified medical practitioner, including the administration of a general anaesthetic and to surgical operations in case of emergency. 

 

In the event of minor injury, a BlueShift first-aider will treat the injury. 

 

In the event of an emergency and/or special medical treatment, parents will be notified immediately. If the parents cannot be reached, the parent/guardian hereby grants permission to BlueShift to take whatever steps it deems necessary to ensure the safety and health of the camper.

 

It is your responsibility to tell BlueShift prior to camp of any issue or condition that may affect their stay at camp. These include but are not limited to ADHD, SEND, medical, languages, disabilities, diet, medical, behavioural/social issues, child’s history.

 

If you have provided us with medical information about your child, you are giving us permission to administer medication or provide any other medical treatment during the length of the course.

Can I book individual days at camp?

Yes! Although we do recommend signing up for a full course if you can, each of our days are designed to be taken as stand-alone courses if necessary. Get in touch using the chat icon in the bottom right of your screen if you'd like to enquire about partial course bookings.

 

Will my child need their own laptop?

Normally, yes (not on our Mini Coders courses). We operate a bring-your-own-laptop policy as it's easier to keep up with students' work and for them to use their own logins/passwords and so on. We do, however, have laptops available to rent at a range of day rates. You can add one to your cart when you book your child's camp place and it'll be ready for them to use on their first day.

My child doesn't have a laptop - will an iPad or tablet suffice instead?

Unfortunately the programs and tools we use in our classes do not run adequately on tablet devices at the moment. We use iPads in the Mini Coders and Animation courses, but we will provide these devices.
If your child is not doing a Minis/Animation course and you do not own a laptop, you will have to rent a laptop from us. You can do this by adding this to your cart when you book their place at camp, and the laptop will be ready for them to use on their first day.

How can I keep track of my child's work?

There are a number of ways you can keep in touch with how your child is getting on. We always hand out course schedules for the classes we run, and students are encouraged to save their work onto their laptops as they go.

We also share the students’ work and update parents on their child’s progress throughout the day on Class Dojo, an app which allows parents to communicate with the teachers and see photos of their child’s work. Every parent who signs up to a camp will be sent a unique login for Class Dojo so you'll never miss a thing!

We also send out email report cards written by your child's teacher after each camp. You should receive this within a week of camp ending.

Does my child need to bring a packed lunch?

Yes please! We will provide snacks and water during the day, but please ensure your child has lunch with them. Please could you also ensure that it is nut-free for the health and safety of other children.

How do I talk to my child's teacher?

There are a number of ways you can get in touch with your child's teacher during camp.
For most things we recommend messaging them on ClassDojo - an app which allows parents to communicate with the teachers and see photos of their child’s work. Our teachers will aim to respond as soon as possible.
We also run a 'Meet the Teachers' morning, the Monday of camp. This is where you can meet your child's teacher and discuss the course. You can then catch up with them in our Friday 'Parent-Teacher' morning, in this hour you can discuss their progress. Both of these mornings will run from 9-10AM, and coffee/refreshments will be available.
Please note that we do not schedule 'meeting times' during these hour long sessions, therefore we cannot guarantee that you will not be waiting whilst the teacher is talking to another parent.  

Do you offer camps during school holidays?

Yes! We offer seasonal camps throughout the year, primarily:

  • October Half Term

  • December/Christmas Holidays

  • February Half Term

  • Easter Holidays

  • Summer Half Term

  • Summer Holidays

These usually run between one and two weeks in duration, and up to six weeks in the summer holidays. Please check our courses page for details on all our upcoming  camps. 

Cancellations

If you (the customer) have chosen to cancel your booking you may be entitled to pay the difference for our following camp if the price has increased.

Policies

Overview of our COVID-19 Camps Policy

Last updated 26th May 2022.

 

Following Government guidelines we no longer have a strict covid policy in place.

 

We do however ask that if your child is experiencing symptoms or tests positive for Covid-19 that you let us know and that they do not attend camp to reduce the risk of spreading.

 

At camp:

  • Our teachers will be advised to take lateral flow tests

  • We will regularly encourage both our students and teachers to wash/sanitise their hands.

  • Staff will be regularly cleaning common areas as well as classrooms.

  • Equipment will be cleaned before and after playtime.

  • Face masks are no longer a requirement.

  • Parents are now allowed back on site.

 

CampShift policy

We understand that plans and children's interests can change last minute! Our CampShift policy gives you the flexibility to change your camp dates and course as many times as you like, up until a week before your camp begins.

 

Before the camp begins:

 

Has your child decided that our Roblox camp suits them better than Minecraft? Holiday dates changed? No problem! If you want to change your camp booking 7+ days prior to the start date then you can choose any of our other camp dates or courses instead (as long as the new camp is 7+ days away and depending on availability).

 

Changing the dates or courses will retain Early Bird Sale rates. If the price of your new camp is different because of a level change, you will be required to pay the difference or we will refund you likewise. If you'd like to switch to an online course instead of in person then your remaining balance will be issued as credit.

 

Please see our camp refund policy here.

 

Please direct any requests for dates or course changes to hello@blueshiftcoding.com

What is your camp refund policy?

If you would like to cancel your camp booking, please formally request cancellation via email to hello@blueshiftcoding.com.

Before the camp starts:

 

If you want to cancel your camp booking 14+ days prior to the start date, then you may either choose to receive the full camp amount as credit for a future camp or receive the full amount as a refund.

 

If you want to cancel your camp booking 13 - 7 days prior to the start date, then you may either choose to receive the full camp amount as credit for a future camp or receive 50% of the amount paid as a refund.

 

If you want to cancel your camp within a week of the course starting then we’ll happily offer the full amount of the camp as credit for future camps but you won’t be able to receive a refund.

 

Please note that these policies are slightly different if you’re a first time BlueShift customer. Please refer to the section below for more detail.

 

During the camp:

 

If you’re a first time BlueShift customer:

 

We appreciate that if it’s your first time experiencing BlueShift you want to feel confident using our services, that’s why if your child completes their first day of camps and decides that it’s not for them, we will refund the remaining days of camp you have booked.

 

If you decide that the BlueShift camp is not for your child at any point after the beginning of the second day of camp, we will provide the cost of the remaining days as credit towards a future BlueShift course.

 

 

If you’re not a first time BlueShift customer:

 

If at any point during the week you decide that your child no longer wants to continue, we’ll happily roll over the remaining days of camps as credit towards any future BlueShift products but won’t be able to provide a refund.

 

If for any reason the camp is cancelled by BlueShift, we will refund the fee paid in full.

 

Fees are non-returnable for students arriving late, leaving early or missing a day of camp for any reason.

 

Child Safeguarding Policy

Our Child Protection Policy

This policy applies to all staff, including managers, paid staff, volunteers and sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of BlueShift Education. The purpose of this policy is:

  • to protect children and young people who receive BlueShift Education’s services. This includes the children of adults who use our services;

  • to provide staff with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection;

  • BlueShift Education believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:

  • Children Act 1989

  • United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991

  • Data Protection Act 1998

  • Sexual Offences Act 2003

  • Children Act 2004

  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

  • Relevant government guidance on safeguarding children

We recognise that:

  • The welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989

  • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual

  • orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse

  • Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

  • Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • Valuing them, listening to and respecting them

  • Adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff

  • Developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures

  • Providing effective management for staff through supervision, support and training

  • Recruiting staff safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

  • Sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers

  • Sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately.

Dealing with Types of Abuse

Abuse can be:

  • physical abuse, for example beating or punching;

  • emotional abuse, for example rejection and denial of affection;

  • sexual abuse, for example sexual assault or encouraging a child to view pornographic material;

  • neglect, for example failure to provide appropriate care including warmth or medical attention.

Signs of Abuse

Possible signs of abuse include (but are not limited to):

  • the student says s/he has been abused or asks a question which gives rise to that inference;

  • there is no reasonable or consistent explanation for a student's injury; the injury is unusual in kind or location; there have been a number of injuries; there is a pattern to the injuries;

  • the student's behaviour stands out from the group as either being extreme model behaviour or extremely challenging behaviour; or there is a sudden change in the student's behaviour;

  • the student's development is delayed;

  • the student loses or gains weight;

  • the student appears neglected, e.g. dirty, hungry, inadequately clothed;

  • the student is reluctant to go home, or has been openly rejected by his / her parents or carers.

Duty of Employees, Directors and Volunteers

Every employee and director of the BlueShift Education as well as every freelancer who assists the company is under a general legal duty:

  • to protect children and young people from abuse;

  • to be aware of the BlueShift Education’s child protection procedures and to follow them;

  • to know how to access and implement the procedures, independently if necessary;

  • to keep a sufficient record of any significant complaint, conversation or event;

  • to report any matters of concern.

Whistleblowing

All staff are required to report to the Camp or Club Director/Lead any concern or allegations about practices or the behaviour of colleagues which are likely to put students at risk of abuse or other serious harm. In exceptional cases such reports should be made to Ofsted. There will be no retribution or disciplinary action taken against a member of staff for making such a report provided that it is done in good faith.

 

Staff and Student Relationships

Sexual relationships between staff and students are strictly prohibited and may be a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

 

Procedures

Initial Complaint

 

A member of staff suspecting or hearing a complaint of abuse:

  • must listen carefully to the child/young person and keep an open mind. Staff should not take a decision as to whether or not the abuse has taken place;

  • must not ask leading questions, that is, a question which suggests its own answer;

  • must reassure the child/young person but not give a guarantee of absolute confidentiality. The member of staff should explain that they need to pass the information to a senior member of the BlueShift Education team who will ensure that the correct action is taken;

  • must keep a sufficient written record of the conversation. The record should include the date, time and place of the conversation and the essence of what was said and done by whom and in whose presence. The record should be signed by the person making it and should use names, not initials. The record must be kept securely and handed to a senior member of the BlueShift Education team.

Preserving Evidence

All evidence, (for example, scribbled notes, mobile phones containing text messages, clothing, computers), must be safeguarded and preserved.

 

Reporting

All suspicion or complaints of abuse must be reported to the Camp Director/Lead or if the complaint involves the Camp Director/Lead, you should report to a BlueShift Education Company Director.

 

Action by Assigned Senior Staff

 

The action to be taken will take into account:

  • the nature and seriousness of the suspicion or complaint. A complaint involving a serious criminal offence will always be referred to Social Services or the Police without further investigation by BlueShift Education;

  • the wishes of the student who has complained, provided that the student is of sufficient understanding and maturity and properly informed. However, there may be times when the situation is so serious that decisions may need to be taken, after all appropriate consultation, that override a student's wishes;

  • the wishes of the complainant's parents, provided they have no interest which is in conflict with the student's best interests and that they are properly informed. Again, it may be necessary, after all appropriate consultation, to override parental wishes in some circumstances. If the Assigned Senior Staff member is concerned that disclosing information to parents would put a child or young person at risk, he or she will take further advice from the relevant professionals before making a decision to disclose; 

  • duties of confidentiality, so far as applicable;

  • the lawful rights and interests of BlueShift Education as a whole including its employees and its insurers;

  • if there is room for doubt as to whether a referral should be made, the Senior Assigned Person may consult with the LADO or other appropriate professionals on a no names basis without identifying the family. However, as soon as sufficient concern exists that a child or young person may be at risk of significant harm, a referral will be made without delay (and in any event within 24 hours). If the initial referral is made by telephone, the Senior Assigned Person will confirm the referral in writing to Social Services within 24 hours. If no response or acknowledgment is received within three working days, the Senior Assigned Person will contact Social Services again

Referral Guidelines

A referral to Social Services or the Police will not normally be made where:

  • the complaint does not involve a serious criminal offence; and

  • a referral would be contrary to the wishes of a student complainant who is of sufficient

  • maturity and understanding and properly informed, and contrary also to the wishes of

  • the complainant's parents; and

  • the case is one that can be satisfactorily investigated and dealt with under BlueShift

  • Education internal procedures, the parents being kept fully informed, as appropriate. However, if during the course of the internal procedures, it appears that the situation is more serious, the Senior Assigned Person will again consider whether a referral should be made.

External Agencies

Whether or not BlueShift Education decides to refer a particular complaint to Social Services or the Police, the parents and student will be informed in writing of their right to make their own complaint or referral to the Social Services Department or the Child Protection Unit of the police and will be provided with contact names, addresses and telephone numbers, as appropriate.

 

Allegations Against Staff

BlueShift Education has procedures for dealing with allegations against staff that aim to strike a balance between the need to protect children and young people from abuse and the need to protect staff from false or unfounded allegations. These procedures follow the guidance in the DfE guidance Dealing with allegations of abuse against teachers and other staff (DfE- 00061-2011) and should be used where the member of staff or volunteer has:

  • behaved in a way that has harmed a child or young person, or may have harmed a child or young person;

  • possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child or young person; or

  • behaved towards a child or young person in a way that indicates he or she would pose a risk of harm if they work regularly or closely with children or young people.

Suspension will not be an automatic response to an allegation. Full consideration will be given to all the options, subject to the need to ensure:

  • the safety and welfare of the students or student concerned; and

  • the need for a full and fair investigation.

Detailed guidance is given to staff to ensure that their behaviour and actions do not place students or themselves at risk of harm or of allegations of harm to a student. This guidance is contained in the Staff Manual.

 

If a member of staff tenders his or her resignation, or ceases to provide his or her services, any child protection allegations will still be followed up by Blueshift Education. Resignation will not prevent a prompt and detailed report being made to the Independent Safeguarding Authority in appropriate circumstances.

 

Allegations against Students

A student against whom an allegation of abuse has been made may be suspended from BlueShift Education. The Company will take advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on the investigation of such allegations and will take all appropriate action to ensure the safety and welfare of all students involved including the student or students accused of abuse. If it is necessary for a student to be interviewed by the Police in relation to allegations of abuse, the Company will ensure that, subject to the advice of the LADO, parents are informed as soon as possible and that the student is supported during the interview by an appropriate adult.

 

Suspected harm from outside BlueShift Education

A member of staff who suspects that a student is suffering harm from outside BlueShift Education should seek information from the child or young person with tact and sympathy using "open" and not leading questions. A sufficient record should be made of the conversation and if the member of staff continues to be concerned he or she should refer the matter to the Senior Assigned Person.

 

Informing Parents

Parents will normally be kept informed as appropriate of any action to be taken under these procedures. However, there may be circumstances when the Senior Assigned Person will need to consult the LADO and/or the Principal before discussing details with parents.

 

Secure BlueShift Education Premises

BlueShift Education will take all practicable steps to ensure that the premises are as secure as circumstances permit. There may be occasions where the camp is held in premises that are open to the public. In this instance, camp instructors will ensure that children under their care are within eyesight at all times. A Camp Director/Lead will supervise regular trips to the toilet. We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

 

The policy was last reviewed on: 17th of September 2019

 

 

Anti-Bullying Policy

Statement of intent

At BlueShift we are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe learning environment for all of our camp attendees - both emotionally and physically.  Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our camps. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. If bullying does occur, incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively and the perpetrators dealt with appropriately. BlueShift is committed to providing a learning environment that listens to its children and the camp community as a whole. We encourage all children to feel able to report any cases of bullying to a member of staff.

 

At all BlueShift camps:

 

  • Bullying will not be tolerated and we take bullying seriously.

  • Campers and parents/carers should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

  • We will ensure that all teaching and non-teaching staff, campers and parents/carers have an understanding of what bullying is and are informed about this policy.

  • We will ensure that all teaching and non-teaching staff know what procedures to follow should an incident of bullying be reported/observed.

What is bullying?

Has the behaviour repeatedly intended to hurt, harass, exclude or single out another person by causing emotional or physical pain and distress to the victim?

 

Bullying falls into the following types and is communicated to others in many ways. These include:

 

  1. Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. threatening gestures)

  2. Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

  3. Racist: racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, aggressive behaviour

  4. Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

  5. Homophobic: focussing on the issue of sexuality, stereotyping or gender assumptions 

  6. Verbal and written: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing

  7. Cyber: internet, such as email and internet chat room misuse, mobile threats by text messaging and calls and misuse of associated technology i.e. camera & video facilities

Signs and Symptoms

A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and understand that they should investigate if a child:

 

  • is unwilling to attend camp courses or come to camp at all

  • becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence

  • starts stammering

  • attempts to run away

  • cries him/herself to sleep at night or has nightmares

  • feels ill in the morning / wets the bed

  • begins to do poorly in school work

  • comes home with clothes torn or otherwise damaged

  • has possessions which are damaged or "go missing"

  • has unexplained cuts or bruises

  • comes home starving (lunch has been stolen)

  • becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable

  • is bullying other children or siblings

  • stops eating

  • is frightened to say what's wrong

  • gives improbable excuses for any of the above

  • is frightened of walking to or from camp

  • changes his/her usual routine

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated by staff, together with parents/carers.

 

Procedures

In combination with the Behaviour and Discipline Policy, we will prevent bullying by implementing and upholding the BlueShift rules.

Behaviour and Discipline Policy

Introduction

At BlueShift, we recognise that the behaviour of the vast majority of our campers is excellent for almost all of the time and we seek to provide positive incentives to further encourage this. We believe that a clear and consistent policy provides security for children, increases their opportunities for development and learning, as well as supporting all our campers to behave well.

 

Every member of the staff team is responsible for promoting and supporting positive behaviour throughout every camps.

 

Behaviour expectations have been formulated into the BlueShift Rules. Campers and staff are reminded of the BlueShift rules at the beginning of every day of camp. Parents and carers are also made aware of the Rules via the Parents’ Handbook, which is hosted on our website and is sent out to customers before each camp.

 

It is the expectation that all children will agree to follow the BlueShift Rules. Class teachers are responsible for introducing the Rules to their pupils.  Each teacher is responsible for revisiting the Rules with their class as well as, on occasion, setting additional expectations.

 

We recognise that different techniques are more or less effective dependent on the age of our campers. This is why our Juniors (5-9) have a different behaviour management system than our Seniors (10+).

 

Juniors

Each Junior class will have a behaviour chart (as illustrated below). At the beginning of the week each child will have a little character to write their names on, these characters will be placed on yellow. If a child shows Ready, Respectful or Safe behaviour, or shows immense effort or achievement, they will be moved up on the chart. However if they are not showing positive behaviour, and have ignored a warning, they will be moved down on the chart.

 

Their position on the chart at the end of the day will be reflected in either a sticker from their teacher or a gold sticker from the camp manager. 

 

We find that behaviour charts are very effective due to how it shows a child that if they make a mistake, they will be moved down, but they can then make a positive change and end the day on a positive colour.

 

If a child moves down on the behaviour chart they might have to speak to the camp manager about their behaviour. We always emphasise to children who have been moved down that they can change in the future.

 

Seniors

To support positive behaviour in class or around the camp, graduated procedures are in place.

 

Seniors who break a rule will be sanctioned in the following way to reflect the adult’s decision:

 

  •  Yellow Zone/First Warning – Verbal warning in class

  •  Orange Zone/Second Warning - Taken out of classroom and spoken to by the teacher, time out in class

  •  Red Zone/Third Warning - Time out out of class (e.g office) and parents notified

  •  Purple Zone/Fourth Warning - Parents notified and child sent home

Break down of Senior Zone levels

Yellow Zone – Verbal warning

 

The staff member reminds the child of the expected behaviour, refers to the relevant part of the BlueShift Rules (i.e. Ready, Respectful, Safe) and warns the child. The teacher may move the child’s name without verbal reference if they are in the middle of teaching. If the unwanted behaviour continues refer to the ‘Orange Zone’.

 

Orange Zone - Time out in class

 

‘Time out’ provides the child with an opportunity to cool down and reflect. The child will be asked to sit alone in an appropriate place in class. It is the expectation that five minutes time out should be sufficient, but in all cases this will be limited to a maximum of ten minutes. In some circumstances a child may be asked to have more than one time out within the same session. If the unwanted behaviour continues refer to the ‘Red Zone’.

 

Red Zone - Time out in another class/staff office

 

Time out of class, provides the child with an opportunity to cool down and reflect away from the class environment. Time out of class is always supervised. Children will not be asked to sit in the corridor. It is the expectation that five minutes should be sufficient but in all cases ‘time out in another class’ will be limited to a maximum of ten minutes.

 

Class based staff will keep a record of any child given time out in their class.

 

Apart from exceptional circumstances, it is expected that a child’s behaviour would have been supported through the graduated sanctions detailed above before being moved to the Red Zone. Some behaviours, e.g bullying, will lead to being placed immediately in the ‘Red Zone’.

 

Purple Zone

 

  • Fighting with children

  • Deliberately hurting an adult

  • Refusing to show respect towards adults and the school’s expectations

Parents notified and the child sent home. 

Terms and Conditions

  1. Interpretation

1.1. In these Terms and Conditions (“these Conditions”), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

‘Booking Form’: the online booking form by which details of the Student and the Camp/ Club he/she wishes to attend are submitted to blue{shift} coding;
‘BlueShift’: BlueShift education of Studio 52, 65 Alfred Rd, London, W2 5EU;
‘Camp/Club’: the camp or club that the Student is attending, as set out in the Booking Form;
‘Student’: the child or children who will be attending the Camp or Club as specified in the Booking Form;
‘Fees’: the fees shown on BlueShift’s website or other published literature relating to the Services from time to time;
‘Location’: the location of the Camp or Club (including the site of the courses and the sites used for recreation);
‘Services’: the provision of the Camp or Club for the Student by BlueShift coding;
‘you’ and ‘your’: the Student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) as specified in “Your Details” on the Booking Form.

 

1.2. The headings in these Conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.

 

2. Supply of Services

 

2.1. BlueShift shall provide the Services to the Student subject to these Conditions. By booking and paying the fee you agree on behalf of yourself and the Student to be bound by these Conditions. These Conditions constitute the entire agreement between BlueShift and you/the Student and may not be varied except in writing by a director of BlueShift.

 

2.2. Bookings are accepted at the discretion of BlueShift and are not transferable.

 

2.3. You shall fully complete the Booking Form and at your own expense supply BlueShift with all necessary and other information required by BlueShift in connection with the Services.

 

2.4. BlueShift may correct any typographical or other errors or omissions in any BlueShift material relating to the provision of the Services without incurring any liability to you.

 

3. Payment of Fees

 

3.1. You shall pay BlueShift the Fees and any additional sums which are agreed between you and BlueShift for the provision of the Services.

 

3.2. The full Fees must be sent to BlueShift via the website Booking Form. No booking is valid until payment has been received. BlueShift shall not be responsible for any cash payment.

 

4. Rules, Regulations and your Liability

 

4.1. You agree to be wholly liable for any and all actions and/or omissions of the Student. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, you shall be liable for any liability, financial or otherwise, or injury or damage to property caused by the Student whilst at the Location, and shall fully indemnify blue{shift}, their agents, contractors and/or employees for any loss, damage, costs or expenses resulting from such liability, injury or damage.

 

4.2. BlueShift reserves the right to make rules and regulations relating to the Student’s participation in the Camp or Club (“the Rules”). The Rules form part of these Conditions and will be notified to the Student at the Location or earlier.

 

4.3. Any failure by the Student to adhere to the Rules may result in his/her participation at the Camp or Club being terminated forthwith without refund and in such event the Student may be sent home at your expense.

 

4.4. Without prejudice to paragraph 4.3 above, BlueShift reserves the right to withdraw the Student from any activity at any time on the grounds of safety or unsuitability.

 

4.5. We are sensitive to certain allergens but cannot guarantee their exclusion from the camp.

 

5. Cancellation

 

5.1. In the event of cancellation by you, a credit will only be issued if such cancellation is notified in writing to BlueShift at least one month before the commencement of the Camp. An administration charge of £50 per week per child will be deducted from the credit.  No refunds will be issued and bookings cancelled in the last month prior to the date of the class will not be reimbursed.

 

5.2. If, for any reason, the Camp is cancelled by BlueShift, the total liability of BlueShift will not exceed that proportion of the Fees BlueShift have actually received.

 

5.3 Fees are non-returnable for students arriving late, leaving early or missing a day of camp (whether on account of illness or any other cause).  If the course has been booked, then the full fees are payable.

 

6. Liability

 

6.1. Except in respect of death or personal injury caused by BlueShift's negligence, BlueShift shall not be liable to you or the Student by reason of any representation (unless fraudulent) or any implied warranty, condition or other term or any duty at common law or under the express terms of this Agreement for any loss of profit or any indirect, special or consequential loss, damage, costs, expenses or other claims (whether caused by or negligent or the negligence of our servants, or agents or otherwise) which arise out of or in connection with the provision of the Services or their use by you or the Student, and our entire liability under or in connection with this Agreement shall not exceed the amount of our Fees for the provision of the Services.

 

6.2. Where BlueShift provides, in connection with the provision of the Services, any goods or equipment or services supplied by a third party, BlueShift does not give any warranty, guarantee or other terms as to their quality, fitness for purpose, performance or otherwise.

 

6.3. BlueShift shall have no liability to the Student for any loss, damage, costs, expenses or other claims for compensation arising from any instructions supplied by you which are incomplete, incorrect, inaccurate or illegible, or arising from the Student’s late arrival or non-arrival, or any other fault of you or the Student.

 

6.4. BlueShift shall not be liable to you or be deemed to be in breach of the contract by reason of any delay in performing, or any failure to perform, any of blue{shift}'s obligations in relation to the Services, if the delay or failure was due to any cause beyond BlueShift reasonable control.

 

6.5. BlueShift reserve the right to alter programmes, activities, itineraries, excursions, age brackets, premises and personnel as it thinks fit and without notice.

 

6.6. BlueShift will not be bound by any statement unless it is in writing and authorised by a Director of BlueShift.

 

7. Medical and Behavioural

 

7.1. Any medical or behavioural problems of the Student known to you must be notified to BlueShift in writing on the Booking Form, and in any event prior to the commencement of the Camp or Club. BlueShift reserve the right not to accept your Booking on the grounds that any such medical or behavioural problems are not conducive to the Student’s or other students’ participation in the Camp or Club.

 

7.2. In the event that the Student becomes ill or incapacitated during the Camp or Club, you agree to medical treatment being given to the Student if required in accordance with the recommendations of a qualified medical practitioner, including the administration of a general anaesthetic and to surgical operations in case of emergency. Such action shall be taken at your expense.

 

7.3. If the Student becomes ill or comes into contact with any contagious or infectious disease during the 21 days prior to the commencement of the Camp or Club, you must immediately notify BlueShift in writing and provide a medical certificate from the Student’s doctor giving approval for the Student to participate in the Camp or Club.

 

7.4. It is your and the Student's responsibility to help BlueShift prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

 

7.5 It is a your responsibility to tell BlueShift prior to camp of any issue or condition that may affect their stay at camp. These include but are not limited to ADHD, SEN, medical, languages, disabilities, diet, medical, behavioural/social issues, child’s history.

 

7.6  BlueShift reserves the right to suspect or remove any student whose attendance, work or behaviour is, in their reasonable opinion, unsatisfactory.  Under such circumstances, BlueShift will be under no obligation to return any fees. Children who disrupt the learning environment for other participants, who destroy property or projects, and who otherwise compromise the health, safety and/or learning environment will be removed.

 

7.7 Permission is given to administer medication or first aid if required.

 

8. Jewellery, Valuables and Lost Property

 

8.1. BlueShift will not be liable for any item of jewellery or valuable property brought to the Location by the Student.

 

8.2. BlueShift will not be responsible for any property left at the Location (by the Student or otherwise), and may dispose of any such property if not claimed and collected by you within seven days of the end of the Camp or Club.

 

9. Personal Searches

 

9.1. BlueShift reserves the right to search the bags and other personal property of all Students in appropriate circumstances.

 

10.Publicity

 

10.1. You acknowledge that BlueShift may use for publicity purposes and without prior notification any photograph or video taken of the Student at the Location, and any statement (whether written or oral) made by you or the Student.

 

11. Child Protection/Safeguarding

 

11.1. BlueShift will contact Local Safeguarding Children’s board if we suspect abuse or in an event of a disclosure.

 

12. Force Majeure

 

12.1. We shall not be liable for any delay in performing or failure to perform any obligation (including to action any alteration or cancellation) due to any case beyond our reasonable control including lock-outs, strikes, shortages of personnel, labour disputes, war, riot, act of God, civil commotion, terrorism, malicious damage, threats to safety, compliance with any law or governmental order, rule, regulation or direction, accident, environmental contamination, pandemic outbreak of disease, breakdown of plant or machinery, fire, flood, storm, difficulty or increased expense in obtaining workmen, materials, goods or raw materials in connection with the performance of this agreement.

 

13. General

 

13.1. If any provision of these Conditions is held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, the validity of the other provisions of these Conditions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected.

 

14.2. This agreement is governed by the laws of England and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

 

Privacy Policy

Section 1: What information do we hold?

 

For bookings related to Camps and Workshops:

 

  • Customer Full Name (as given at point of booking)

  • Customer Email Address (as given at point of booking)

  • Customer Phone Number (mandatory)

  • Child’s Name (mandatory)

  • Child’s DOB/Age (mandatory)

  • Child’s School (optional)

  • Child’s Experience Level

  • Extra Medical Info

  • Course Booked/Previous Courses Attended

For bookings related to After School Clubs:

 

  • Child’s Name (as provided by host school)

 

For bookings related to Online Learning:

 

  • Customer Full Name (as given at point of booking)

  • Customer Email Address (as given at point of booking)

  • Customer Phone Number (mandatory)

  • Child’s Name (mandatory)

  • Child’s DOB/Age (mandatory)

  • Child’s School (optional)

  • Child’s Experience Level

  • Course Booked

  • Location (for time-zone purposes)

 

1.1 Information we DO NOT hold:

 

  • Customer Credit Card Details (including street/billing address)

  • All payments  are processed through Stripe, a secure third party payment gateway services, encrypted using the latest technologies. You can learn more about security at Stripe here.

  • We do not have access to any of these details at any stage of customer transactions

We do not hold our customers’ IP addresses as a matter of course (as we have no use for this information); however some of the online platforms we use may record this data automatically.

 

Recordings of Online Classes

 

As of June 2020 we will be recording all online classes for the use of students who are late to classes, or have to miss classes due to any other reason.

 

Recordings are taken via Zoom and then uploaded by the class teacher to the class 'Padlet'. Each Padlet is only accessible by the students taking part in that specific class, the class teacher and the BlueShift team. The class teacher will then delete the video recording from their own computer, so that the only copy of the recording is on the Padlet. All members of the BlueShift team and teaching staff are DBS checked and safeguarding trained.

 

Recordings are deleted 7 days after a course ends, to give time for students to return to the recording if they would like to refresh their knowledge.

 

 

Section 2: What is this information used for?


The personal data we hold on file is primarily to ensure the smooth running of our camps, workshops, online learning services and after school clubs. 

 

We use our customers’ names, email addresses and phone numbers in order to provide essential information relating to their booking; to contact them in case of any emergency or change of plans during a camp or class; and, in the case of email, for occasional marketing communications.  

 

We use the personal information of the children attending our camps, workshops, and after-school clubs to, for example,  determine how best to split classes by age and experience level. We also collect and analyse anonymised data on the ages, abilities, and progression through our Creative Coding levels of our students in order to develop our future courses and lesson plans. 

 

When our customers book a course, workshop, or camp with us, we add their email address to our mailing list, which we use sporadically to inform customers about upcoming camps, discounts, and  sometimes coding or education-related articles and blog posts we think they might be interested in. By making a booking, we infer a customer’s consent to be contacted in relation to their order, but customers can unsubscribe from all emails  at any time by clicking the appropriate  link in the email or contacting us at hello@blueshiftcoding.com.

 

Our customers’ personal data is NEVER:

 

  • Sold to third parties for marketing or any other purposes

  • Shared with other organisations

  • Shared with anyone outside of blue{shift}

  • Stored exclusively “offline” or outside of secure cloud-based services (including Google Drive, Dropbox, Shopify, and Stripe)

If customers have concerns about the way blue{shift} handles or retains their personal data (or that of their children aged under 13), they have the right to file a complaint with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office).

 

Section 3: How do we communicate our privacy policy?

 

 

Our privacy policy is stored in the “More info” section of our Help Centre.

 

Links are provided to this privacy policy in the footer of our main website, and will be linked to whenever consent is requested (see Section 5). 

 

We will also communicate a summary of the main points to all current users and mailing list subscribers before GDPR comes into force in May 2018.

 

Section 4: How/when do we delete personal data?

 

 

At present, we do not delete any of our customer data after a set period of time (though we may clear records periodically for storage reasons). If a customer wishes for their or their child’s personal data to be removed from our databases, they can get in touch with us at hello@blueshiftcoding.com and we commit to removing all data at no cost. 

 

We are also required under GDPR to provide, on request, the data we hold for a customer in a commonly used format which we will be happy to do free of charge.

 

We delete recordings of online classes 7 days after a course ends.

 

Section 5: How do we seek, record, and manage consent (particularly parental consent)?

 

 

GDPR in the UK specifies that we are required to obtain parental  consent to process data related to children under the age of 13. Therefore, we request consent to our Privacy Policy and our Terms and Conditions at the point of booking on every order. We also request consent for permission to film or photograph children while attending our camps, courses, and workshops.

 

This consent is recorded in our database along with all other booking details.

 

Section 6: Who is our designated data protection officer?

 

 

As a  company of fewer than 75 people we are not required by law to have a designated data protection officer. Any data protection and information security issues are currently handled by our Business and Operations Manager.

Online 1:1 Tuition

How to start a tuition subscription and schedule your lessons

You'll receive an email within 24 hours of your trial lesson inviting you to book a package of tuition or contact us if you have any questions.

 

 

Clicking the link will take you through to a subscription page.

 

Simply choose which subscription you'd like and add it to your cart. You'll then be taken to a booking page where you can input your information, add any notes you may have for us or enter a discount code.

 

Please understand that our system is unable to reserve your teacher for you. To secure your teacher for the same time every week, make sure to schedule your lessons as soon as possible.

 

Once you have clicked 'Pay Now and Complete Order' you'll be taken through to a confirmation page. This page will also be sent to you as an email. It'll look like this:

Your certificate code is what you will input when scheduling your child's lessons. It allows you to keep track of how many lessons you have left in your subscription. Please make a note of this certificate code, or get in touch with us if you can't find it and we'll be happy to retrieve it for you.

 

Next you'll want to schedule your lessons. You can do this by either clicking the hyperlink text next to your certificate code, or the purple 'Schedule Lessons' button (as seen in the photo above). You'll be taken to a scheduling page that looks like this:

 

If you have used either of the links on the email/confirmation page, your certificate code will automatically be entered into the box at the top of the page. You'll be able to see how many lessons you have remaining in your package.

 

Please then confirm which teacher you would like to book your lessons with, confirm your time zone, then click 'View Calendar and Book Lesson'.

 

You'll then be taken to your teacher's calendar where you can view their availability for different days. Most teachers will allow you to book up to 60 days in advance, and with 24 hours minimum notice, but we allow teachers to choose what makes them feel comfortable.

 

When scheduling, many parents like to have their child's lessons at the same time each week. To do this, simply select the date you would like your child's first tuition lesson and the time you would like them to always be at, then select 'Choose This Time Recurringly'.

 

You'll then be able to select how often you would your lessons on this day and time, and how many lessons you would like to schedule. Then select 'Add Recurring Times' and your selected dates will appear to the right hand side of your teacher's calendar.

 

If your teacher is unavailable for any of your selected times/dates, the lesson will appear crossed out and in red (see below) - it will not be booked in and the lesson will not be deducted from your package.

 

Once you have selected the days and times you would like to book in, click continue to be taken to a booking page. If you choose a larger amount than you have in your subscription, you will be be taken to a payment page.

 

Alternatively, some parents like to choose different times each week to fit around a changing schedule. To do this, choose a date and time that works for you, then select 'Choose This Time & Add Another'. This will add the lesson you have already selected, then leave you on the same page to select another one.

 

We do recommend scheduling your lessons all in one go. This system does allow you to easily reschedule or cancel any lessons with a minimum of 24 hours' notice without charge if you later realise you can't attend.

 

Once you have chosen your lesson times, completed the booking form and confirmed the lessons, you'll be taken to the confirmation page for your soonest upcoming lesson. If you'd like to view the confirmation page for any of the other lessons you booked, you can click the relevant date link at the top.

 

On these confirmation pages you'll be able to do a number of things:

  • View the lesson information (date, time, Zoom link, name of teacher and price)

  • Cancel or reschedule the lesson

  • Add it to your calendar

  • Register for an account - this will allow you to log in at any time to view/edit all of your upcoming lessons and packages

  • Schedule another appointment

You'll also receive a confirmation email that looks like this:

 

If you have no more lessons scheduled, you will receive an email inviting you to schedule your remaining lessons. Every four weeks at the end the month (you'll receive your first report after your first full month with us), you'll be sent a report from your child's teacher detailing what was covered in the lessons, what they excelled at, and what could be done to help them improve.

 

If you'd like to learn how to cancel and reschedule your lessons, click here.

Cancellation policy for online tuition

We understand that life happens and plans can change. We kindly ask that you either reschedule your own lesson or contact your teacher/one of our team at least 24 hours in advance of a lesson if you need to reschedule or cancel it for any reason.

 

If you do not provide 24 hours notice, we will charge the usual session rate, as our teachers must be paid for their time!

Private Tuition Subscription Policy & FAQ's

Our private tuition subscription makes it easier for parents - no need to have to manually renew your sessions!

 

How does it work?

  • With our subscription option, you get four private tuition sessions every four weeks.

  • Our subscription consists of automatic payments which renew every four weeks.

  • After each payment, you will be sent a link to book your four sessions for the upcoming month.

  • By becoming a subscriber, you'll receive a 12.5% discount on every session!

 

FAQ's

 

When does the subscription renew?

Subscriptions renew every four weeks. For example, if you begin your subscription on the 1st of January, the next payment will automatically occur four weeks later (29th January). You'll receive an email to confirm each payment after it occurs.

 

When do I get my child's progress reports?

Reports will be sent out at the end of each month. You will receive your first report after the first full month of sessions. If you have less than 2 sessions in a month you won't receive a report.

 

Can I try one session before subscribing?

Our trial sessions allow you to meet one of our tutors and try a session before committing to future lessons. For more information on our trials, see here!

 

Do I have to have one session each week?

No! It's up to you when you have your sessions during the four week period. You can choose any day and time (depending on your tutor's availability). You can have sessions once a week, or if you're busy in the first week of the month, you can have two sessions in the second week to make up for it! You're in charge of your sessions.

 

What if I want less than four sessions every four weeks?

If you're looking for fortnightly lessons or something different, you can choose our single session option instead. This allows you to purchase sessions one at a time, whenever you'd like. However, if you choose this option, you won't receive the 12.5% discount on each session!

 

What if I want more than four sessions every four weeks?

If you'd like more frequent sessions get in touch at hello@blueshiftcoding.com and we can help!

 

Can I reschedule a session?

Yes! You can reschedule any session up to 24 hours before it begins. See our reschedule/cancellation article here for more information and full instructions.

 

Can I cancel a session?

Yes! You can cancel any session up to 24 hours before it begins. It will be added to your account as credit to be used in the future (credits don't expire!). See our reschedule/cancellation article here for more information and full instructions.

 

You can also see our cancellation policy here.

 

What happens if I don't use my four sessions up by the end of the four weeks?

If you don't use all your sessions in the four-week period, they'll rollover. Unscheduled sessions will be added to your account as credit and can be used at any time in the future. Unscheduled sessions do not expire.

 

What if I want to skip a month?

You can cancel and restart your subscription at any point. Any scheduled or unscheduled sessions/credit on your account will remain and you can use them at any time. Remember, unscheduled sessions don't expire so if you're busy for a few weeks, sessions can be saved for a later date!

 

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel and restart your subscription at any point. Any scheduled or unscheduled sessions/credit on your account will remain and you can use them at any time.

Quick Start: Summary Guide for Online Tuition

Before you get started, we have put together a list of basic skills your child will need to know, in order to feel comfortable coding.

We recommend you go through this list with your child, and check to see they are happy with them!


1. Download Zoom, and ensure you have set up a coding account and/or have written down login information for your child.

Click here to install Zoom and create an account: https://zoom.us/support/download

(For more help on how to do this, see: How to install and set up your Zoom Virtual Classroom)

The type of coding account needed will be communicated to you by email - e.g. Bitsbox, Scratch, p5.js, Trinket)

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2. Ensure you have the correct equipment for the session.

Minimum requirements: Your child will need a laptop with a strong internet connection, earphones/headset, webcam and microphone to communicate with their tutor.

We also advise you to have a mouse.

Please TEST your microphone and speakers/headset before the lesson. To do this:

  • Press the 'test microphone and speakers' option in the pop-up when Zoom opens.

  • Follow the instructions when prompted to ensure you can hear audio and that your microphone works!


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3. Get your child set up for their lesson.

Depending on the coding language we suggest a particular set-up. For block-based coding languages (Scratch or Minecraft) please look at option one. For text-based coding languages (JavaScript, and Python) please look at option two.


***

Set up option one (SCRATCH or MINECRAFT):

We recommend this only for these languages, or if you are experiencing technical issues/lag with setting up a split screen (option 2, below).

If you choose this more immersive set up, your child will not be able to share their screen with the tutor, so their tutor can help them fix their code.


For Scratch and Minecraft, we recommend that you open up Zoom on a tablet /iPad/additional computer screen, and the coding environment on your most powerful laptop or main computer.

This will mean your child can watch their tutor code on one device (the iPad/tablet/additional screen), and complete the coding activities on another.

When they need help from their teacher to fix their code, they must share their project links with their tutor.

***

Set up option 2 (for text-based - JAVASCRIPT, PYTHON):

If you would like to share your screen with your tutor, you can use our second set up option:

Arrange your code editor (e.g. Bitsbox, p5.js, or Trinket) on one side of the screen, and the Zoom window on the other.

What headset do I need?

We suggest that for the best possible experience, your child uses a headset with a microphone (you can see some Amazon examples here).

Most modern computers or laptops may come with an inbuilt-mic, but we ask that if this is the case, if possible, you provide your child with standard headphones or earphones to plug into their computer to reduce background feedback.

  • Background feedback occurs when the noise coming out of the computer speaker (the class talking or the teacher’s voice) goes back into the microphone and can be heard by the whole Zoom class.

For this reason, we also ask that your child sits in a quiet room for their lesson! (where no well-meaning siblings or kitchen noises can disturb the lesson, as these sounds can be heard by the class).

What is your illness policy?

If your child is feeling unwell, please give us at least 2 hours notice. If you contact us within this notice period we will do our best to reschedule the lesson for when they are feeling better!

 

If you do not notify us we will have to count the lesson as a missed lesson, and charge full price as we need to compensate our teachers for their time.

What operating system do I need?

Our online classrooms use the Zoom video chat app, and so require one of the following operating systems:

Supported operating systems

  • macOS X with macOS 10.7 or later

  • Windows 10

  • Windows 8 or 8.1

  • Windows 7

  • Windows Vista with SP1 or later

  • Windows XP with SP3 or later

  • Ubuntu 12.04 or higher

  • Mint 17.1 or higher

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.4 or higher

  • Oracle Linux 6.4 or higher

  • CentOS 6.4 or higher

  • Fedora 21 or higher

  • OpenSUSE 13.2 or higher

  • ArchLinux (64-bit only)

Processor and RAM requirements

We’re aware that these requirements may seem scary! So we’ve included some simple guidance for checking them below.

Minimum:

  • Single Core 1Ghz or Higher

Recommended:

  • Dual Core 2Ghz or Higher (i3/i5/i7 or AMD equivalent) 

  • 4GB RAM

Checking your processor and RAM on a Mac

To check your processor speed, you can click the apple icon in your Finder menu and “about this mac”. This will open a popup window with your computer’s processing speed and RAM.

Checking your processor and RAM on a Windows PC

  • Open Windows 10’s ‘Setting’s app. 

  • Navigate to Settings > System > About. 

  • There will be a heading called “Device specifications.”

  • Your processor speed is the last number beside “processor” (3.6GHz here)

  • memory = RAM beside “Installed RAM” (12GB here)

How to reschedule or cancel your tuition lessons

We understand! Sometimes life just gets in the way and your plans are turned upside down. That's why we've made it much easier for you to reschedule or cancel lessons that just aren't going to work for you anymore. Lessons cancelled with more than 24 hours' notice will be automatically added back to your package for you to schedule at a later date.

 

Please note that you must reschedule or cancel lessons at least 24 hours prior to their start time. Any lessons cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours cannot be refunded as we must pay our teachers for their time and teaching preparation.

 

There are a few ways to reschedule/cancel your lessons!

 

Confirmation Email

In the confirmation email that you receive after booking your lessons, there is a link to cancel/reschedule your lessons. It'll take you to the same confirmation page you landed on straight after scheduling the lessons in the first place.

On the page, there are two buttons: 'Cancel' and 'Reschedule'. Use these to alter the lesson as you need. If you want to cancel/reschedule a different lesson, use the links at the top of the page to take you to the appropriate lesson. When you click 'Reschedule' you'll be taken to your teacher's calendar to choose a new date and time that works for you.

 

Calendar Event

If you have added your tuition lessons to your calendar, you are able to use the calendar event to edit the lesson. Go to the calendar event, scroll down and you'll see the option to change your lesson.

 

Clicking this link will take you to the above page, where you can choose to either cancel or reschedule the lesson.

 

Logging in to Your Account

If you made an account after booking with us, you can log in to it at any time. This allows you to view all of your upcoming lessons, check how many lessons in your package you have left and bypass any form filling-in!

 

Contacting the Team/Your Teacher

If you'd like help with cancelling or rescheduling a lesson, you can talk to your teacher or the team. Email us at hello@blueshiftcoding.com or call us on 0203 176 4660. We can cancel/reschedule your tuition lesson on your behalf and help you find a new time.

 


 

After you have rescheduled you'll be taken to a confirmation page that looks like this:

Please be aware that cancelling or rescheduling a lesson will not change any calendar events you have created as this is not under our control - please delete the original calendar event and add the new one.

 

You'll also receive an email confirming the rescheduled lesson.

What does my child need for online tuition?

Your child will need a laptop with a strong internet connection, earphones/headset, webcam and microphone to communicate with their teacher.

How to set up on Zoom

If you’ve already successfully set up Zoom, please see our second article on ‘How to set up an online code editor and use Zoom in class

 

Before you download Zoom, please check that your child has access to: 

 

  • A laptop or computer (we do not support use of tablets) with a strong internet connection, and full battery for the session.

  • A headset or earphones are strongly advised, to reduce background noise.

  • Most laptops come with an in-built microphone, but please check this.

  • A parent to help them set up, 10 minutes before the session starts.

 

 

Step 1: Download Zoom

To download Zoom, head to:

 

 

  1.  The download should happen automatically. If it does not, try clicking this link to download again.

  2.  The download may appear here - if it does, click to load.

If you do not see the download here, try checking your download folder on your computer.

 

Step 2: Create a Zoom account

  1. Create a new account or sign up with any of the other suggested options.

  2. Selecting ‘Keep me signed in’ is recommended

 

 

STEP 3: Launch Zoom, our Virtual Classroom software

Click the link provided by your BlueShift tutor or classroom.

 

  1. If this window pops up, click Open zoom.us and skip steps 2 and 3. If Zoom does not open then try pressing ‘click here’.

  2. If Zoom continues to be uncooperative then the lesson may be joined in the browser.

  3. The downloaded Zoom app provides the best reliability, however this browser option is available if necessary.

  1. If this is your first launch or you have an external mic/speaker you may want to test your equipment by clicking.

  2. If you are confident your equipment is working well then click ‘Join with Computer Audio’.

Congratulations. You are all set to go for your lesson!

 

---

 

Please see our second article on ‘How to set up an online code editor and use Zoom in class

 

If any problems persist or you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the BlueShift team!

 

How to set up an online code editor and use Zoom in class

STEP 1: Create an account for the online code environment required for your child’s class.

 

 

 

 

  1. Open Zoom and your programming window (e.g. scratch.mit.edu). 

  2. Arrange your windows side by side.

  3. The chat function can be found here. This will be used to communicate to the teacher when asked or if you have technical difficulties with your mic.

Classroom behaviour

 

  • Show ready behaviour online by looking at the teacher and showing hands when asked

  • Show respectful behaviour online by using the chat function instead of shouting out when asked.

  • Please remain safe, by not sharing any highly personal information (such as your full name or address!)

If any problems persist or you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the BlueShift team!

What if I don't like the teacher after my trial session?

We think it's very unlikely you won't like your child's teacher! In fact, we've never had a parent request a different teacher after a trial lesson.

 

However, if you really don't think they're a good fit, just get in touch with us at hello@blueshiftcoding.com or call us on 020 3176 4660 and we will match you with a different teacher.

Can I request a specific teacher?

Yes! You can now book directly with our teachers via their profiles. You can view their profiles here: https://blueshiftcoding.com/pages/our-teachers. By clicking 'book a trial session', you'll be taken to a page where you can select either core or specialist tuition, and then see their availability.

Can you teach at locations outside of London?

We can bring our Virtual Classroom to anywhere in the world with a strong internet connection!

If you do not see the time slot that if suitable for your location, get in touch with us and we might be able to arrange a new time slot for you!

Can I use childcare vouchers?

Unfortunately we are not able to process childcare vouchers as payment for online private tuition at this time.

I don’t want your tutor to see my house, can I make the session more private?

Yes, Zoom has a feature in which you can choose to set a virtual background. Just click on the little arrow next to ‘stop video’ and select ‘Choose Virtual Background’ then choose a picture. This then works like a green screen so our tutor cannot see in to your house. 

Is there a cut-off for when I can book a trial lesson?

When booking via our website, we ask for at least two days notice to match you with a teacher and set up your trial lesson.

 

When booking directly with a teacher, it's up to them how far in advance you can book. Some teachers like a bit more time to prepare than others.

 

Is 1:1 online tuition appropriate for my child’s age?

We offer 1:1 online tuition for children aged 5+, however we do find tuition is most effective for children 7+. 

 

For children between the ages of 5-7, we do ask that a parent sits in on at least half of the first session and is then present again at the end. During every session with a 5-7 year old child, a parent should be in the general area and contactable in case their child needs help with a technical issue that cannot be resolved by our tutor.

 

For all children regardless of age, parent presence is necessary for the first 15-20 minutes of the trial session for set up. As an older child is more comfortable with the online classroom and their tutor, parent involvement can be scaled back.

 

12-14 year olds might be happy to do it themselves, but parents should still be there to help them set up equipment if needed.

Online 1:6 Classes

What is your lateness and recording policy for online classes?

We've listened to our community of parents and heard that students joining late can be majorly disruptive to our classes. That's why we've taken the following steps to improve the experience of all BlueShift students:

 

  • We've made all of our lessons 15 minutes longer, on each side of the coding portion of a lesson, there is 15 minutes for set-up, recapping, sharing work and challenges

  • We have imposed a cut-off for joining lessons. If you are upwards of 15 minutes late to lessons, you will not be admitted into the class.

  • We don't want students who are late to be behind on their course, therefore all lessons will be recorded and uploaded onto the class padlet for any late students, or students who have missed a lesson for any reason. We hope students will find recordings useful for catching up, or even going back and refreshing their memory before the next lesson!

  • If you joined the class on time, but had any kind of technical difficulties or issues that cause you to momentarily lose connection from the Zoom call, you will be admitted back into the class.

All recordings of classes will be available only to the students within the class, the class teacher and the BlueShift team. Recordings will be deleted from the padlet the following Friday after a course ends for privacy reasons.

 

Please note that we do not record trial lessons but the lateness policy still applies.

How we ensure your child's safety in our online classrooms?

As part of our commitment to your child's safety, we have implemented the following measures to secure our online classrooms.

  1. Going forwards, all BlueShift classes will have a meeting password.

    This will be communicated to you by our team.

  2. All our classrooms have implemented a waiting room feature.

    Teachers will only admit students to class who have booked a place on a course, and are on the class registers.

  3. All our BlueShift teachers have enhanced DBS checks.

We rigorously vet our teachers and ensure their credentials as part of our recruitment process.

We will be constantly reviewing internet regulatory guidance over the coming days and weeks, and making any necessary changes to ensure that all our students have a safe experience!

Quick Start: Summary Guide for Online Classes

Before you get started, we have put together a list of basic skills your child will need to know, in order to feel comfortable coding.

We recommend you go through this list with your child, and check to see they are happy with them!


1. Download Zoom, and ensure you have set up a coding account and/or have written down login information for your child.

Click here to install Zoom and create an account: https://zoom.us/support/download 

(For more help on how to do this, see: How to install and set up your Zoom Virtual Classroom)

The type of coding account needed will be communicated to you by email - e.g. Bitsbox, Scratch, p5.js, Trinket)

-----------

2. Ensure you have the correct equipment for the session.

Minimum requirements: Your child will need a laptop with a strong internet connection, earphones/headset, webcam and microphone to communicate with their teacher and the other students in their class.

We also advise you to have a mouse.

Please TEST your microphone and speakers/headset before the lesson. To do this:

  • Press the 'test microphone and speakers' option in the pop-up when Zoom opens.

  • Follow the instructions when prompted to ensure you can hear audio and that your microphone works!


-----------

3. Get your child set up for their lesson. 

Depending on the course and the coding language we suggest a particular set-up. For block-based coding languages (Scratch or Minecraft courses) please look at option one. For text-based coding languages (JavaScript, and Python please look at option two).


***

Set up option one (SCRATCH or MINECRAFT classes):

We recommend this only for Scratch classes, or if you are experiencing technical issues/lag with setting up a split screen (option 2, below).

If you choose this more immersive set up, your child will not be able to share their screen with the class, so your teacher can help them fix their code.  


For our Scratch classes, we recommend that you open up Zoom on a tablet (/iPad/additional computer screen, and the coding environment (scratch.mit.edu) on your most powerful laptop or main computer.

This will mean your child can watch your teacher code on one device (the iPad/tablet/additional screen), and complete the coding activities on another.

 When they need help from their teacher to fix their code, they must share their project links with the teacher on the class Padlet homework space (provided by your teacher).

***

Set up option 2 (for text-based classes - JAVASCRIPT, PYTHON):

If you would like to share your screen with your teacher, you can use our second set up option:

Arrange your code editor (e.g. Bitsbox, p5.js, or Trinket) on one side of the screen, and the Zoom window on the other.

Touch typing resources

Moving from block-based to text based coding languages can be difficult, and we find that while most students grasp coding concepts quite well, typing tends to bring the most difficulties.

Therefore, we would like to share some touch typing tips and resources to better prepare your child for text-based coding.

 

Online typing lessons

Here at blue{shift}, we often use Typing Club to get students used to typing. It uses a fun game-type format, has levels, gives students badges and teaches all the touch typing skills.

Typing club uses ads. To disable them, it’s best to install the following Chrome extension:

 

Other resources

Typing test - test your typing speed - but remember to keep your fingers in the right place!

Typing games

 

Touch typing top tips!

When your child is practicing their touch typing at home, it's helpful to remind them of the following:

  1. Be a home row hero and place your hands so that your index fingers rest on the keys with the bumps (the F and the J keys)

  2. Sit with your back straight and your feet on the ground

  3. No need to rush.

  4. Try and type without looking when you're ready. You can hold a piece of A4 paper over your child's hands to test them. 

What headset do I need?

We suggest that for the best possible experience, your child uses a headset with a microphone (you can see some Amazon examples here).

Most modern computers or laptops may come with an inbuilt-mic, but we ask that if this is the case, if possible, you provide your child with standard headphones or earphones to plug into their computer to reduce background feedback.

  • Background feedback occurs when the noise coming out of the computer speaker (the class talking or the teacher’s voice) goes back into the microphone and can be heard by the whole Zoom class.

For this reason, we also ask that your child sits in a quiet room for their lesson! (where no well-meaning siblings or kitchen noises can disturb the lesson, as these sounds can be heard by the class).

Minecraft Modding Setup Guide

This is a quick guide to getting everything set up for our Minecraft Modding online classes. Please read this carefully.

We strongly recommend that to ensure your child has the best possible experience, the following steps are set up, so we can get started with modding right away!

 

To prepare for your Minecraft modding course, your classmates and teacher will be very grateful if you watch the below video:

 

 

 

This will help reduce the time spent sorting out technical difficulties in your first lesson!

To prepare for class, you will need:

 

  1. Minecraft Java Edition (version 1.9.2) -  It is important to download the Java Edition for this course. If you don't have this then you can find this at: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/

  2. Your LearnToMod login details to hand (we will provide and email you these)

  3. Your Minecraft name - please watch the video to find out how to get this!

    If you are unsure on how to prepare any of these, feel free to watch the setup video as many times as you need!

    Tip: to reduce lag, for Minecraft courses, we recommend you use an iPad(/tablet/additional screen) for Zoom, and laptop or more powerful computer to run Minecraft.

    -------------------

    Detailed troubleshooting guide below:

STEP 1: Minecraft Equipment Requirements: Minimum and Recommended specs

The full specification for can be found here, but to summarise:

 

 

 

Chromebooks are not suitable for this course, as you cannot run Minecraft Java Edition on them.

 

STEP 2: Setting up Minecraft for Minecraft Modding

Installing up Minecraft

 

For this course we will be using Minecraft Java Edition and can be downloaded from the following link: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/

 

Minecraft on a tablet, and Minecraft Bedrock edition will not work with LearnToMod. You must use a computer or laptop for running Minecraft and LearnToMod. However, you can use a tablet for Zoom!

 

Once you have installed Minecraft, you will need to make sure that you are running version 1.9.2. This is the version that the LearnToMod servers run. To set this up, open Minecraft and click the ‘Installations’ tab.

 

By default you should be able to see the latest version of Minecraft. To add a new version you need to click the New button and create a new installation. Give this version the name LTM (or something else similar LearnToMod) and select release 1.9.2  from the Version drop down menu.

 

When you return to the splash screen, you should now see a drop down menu in the bottom left corner, select the installation you just created - and you are all set up!

 

 

 

STEP 3: Accounts & Account Information for Minecraft Modding

To get set up for Minecraft Modding, students will need three pieces of information. Ideally, they should have these written down and accessible during lessons!

 

Minecraft Account
This is the username and password that you use to log on to Minecraft. It can be the same login that they usually use.

 

You can purchase a Minecraft Account here: https://my.minecraft.net/en-us/store/minecraft/#register

 

We have several Minecraft accounts that students can hire for the week. We will provide you with the login information prior to the class beginning.

 

Minecraft Name
This is the student’s in-game name in Minecraft. It is what appears next to anything that you type into in-game chat. Your Minecraft Name is case sensitive.

 

LearnToMod Account
This is the username and password that students will use to access the LearnToMod website. We will provide one of our accounts to use during the course, but you are welcome to purchase your own account if you want to keep your work and continue modding. You can purchase your account here.

 

STEP 4: What is my Minecraft (MC) Name?

The easiest way to find out the Minecraft Name associated with your account is to log into start a single player game, type something into the in-game chat, and take note of  the name that appears on the screen next to your message.

 

  1. Launch Minecraft

  2.  Select the ‘Singleplayer’ game option.

  3. Join any available world, or create a new.

  4. Once you are in your Minecraft world, press the ‘t’ key to open the chat box.

  5. Type anything and press enter, you should see the message you just typed on the screen.

  6. Your MC Name is the name that appears between the  angle brackets (<>) next to your message.

  7. NB. your MC name is case-sensitive.

(In the example below, my Minecraft Name is blueshiftcoder1)

 

 

 

STEP 5: Linking LearnToMod accounts with Minecraft accounts

If you are leasing one of our LearnToMod accounts for the week (recommended), all you will need to do is provide us with the Minecraft (MC) Name of the Minecraft account the student will be using and we can perform this step. If you are also leasing a Minecraft Account form us, we will already know the MC Name associated with that account and get this step done without any input from you.

 

To run mods on your LearnToMod server, you will need to make sure that you have entered your Minecraft (MC) Name into the appropriate section of the LearnToMod website.

 

  1. Log onto LearnToMod using your LTM account. You should see something like the image below. Take a look at the green box in the top left corner. Does the MC Name in there match your actual MC Name? If it does then you are all set up, otherwise you need to change it.

2. To change the MC Name on LearnToMod, select the Account tab from the menu below the four boxes at the top (it might be selected already) Once you click it, you should see the following menu.

 

3. Under MC Server Info -> MC Name click on the Change button. This will open a window where you can enter your Minecraft Name. Do this and then press okay. Now you should be all set up!

 

Mini Coders Setup Guide

We know that for 5-6 year old novice coders, becoming introduced to the world of coding may both exciting and challenging!

We'll be using both an iPad (or Android tablet) and a laptop for our Mini Coders lesson. Your child will use the iPad to complete the fun coding activities, while watching our teacher demonstrate the activities on our Zoom classroom software on your laptop!

__________________________________________________________________

STEP 1:

Install the 'Scratch Jr' app on your tablet or iPad. You can find the app on the Apple or Android app store, or by clicking the links below!

Scratch Junior app (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/scratchjr/id895485086

Scratch Junior app (Google Play/Android):  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.scratchjr.android&hl=en_GB

Kindly note: The Scratch Junior app is not currently supported on the most recent software update of Amazon Kindle devices.

__________________________________________________________________

STEP 2:

Install the 'ZOOM' virtual chat classroom app on your laptop or desktop computer.
Click here to install Zoom and create an account:
https://zoom.us/support/download

Additional support guides:

How to install and set up your Zoom Virtual Classroom

__________________________________________________________________

STEP 3:

Prepare your laptop and iPad for the lesson. Your child should be able to see the teacher's instructions over Zoom on the laptop, while they code along on their iPad!

You can see a photo of how this might look like below:

Notes about supervising your child:

We ask parents to introduce their child to the class in the first lesson, but children may feel confident enough to work through activities by themselves after the second. If this is the case, we ask parents to work nearby, in case your child still requires your help!

Python Setup Guide

Trinket is an online code editor that allows our students to write, edit, and easily share their Python code with their teacher. 

In order to take part in our Python classes, your child will need to create an account with trinket.io.

STEP 1:

Go to https://trinket.io/sign-up

Fill out a valid (your real) email address, and password. Filling in a valid email is important, so that if you forget your password, you'll be able to reset it and won't lose your work!

STEP 2:

Once you've signed up, you'll reach the Trinket dashboard. Make a note of your username and password, so you're all ready to log in for your first Python lesson!

 

Staying Safe on Roblox

Listen to their teacher 👩‍💻

At the start of each lesson, we ask our teachers to re-iterate that students should be listening to instructions carefully and not downloading content unless explicitly asked to by their teacher.

 

Add their classmates as friends 👫

It's our policy to advise that your child's published games are not set to public. If your child would like their classmates or teachers to try out their creations, we advise that they add them as friends on Roblox. They can then set the permissions of their games that they create to 'only playable by friends'. This therefore allows their classmates and teacher to try out the games they create safely, without strangers being able to join.

 

Teachers will have BlueShift monitored Roblox accounts. These accounts are not accessed outside of lesson times. If you need help outside of classes, send us an email at hello@blueshiftcoding.com or call us on 02031764660.

 

Make your child an under-13 account 🙌

If your child is under 13, the easiest way to ensure your child's safety on Roblox is to enter their accurate date of birth when making their account. This will automatically create an under-13 account for your child which has a number of security features applied - such as only being able to send a direct message to other users that are accepted as friends on Roblox, or only having access to child-friendly games.

 

If your child is 13+, Roblox allows you to implement all of the under-13 restrictions individually in Account Settings (see below).

 

Customise your Account Settings 🦺

Click the gear in the top right hand corner of your Roblox homepage to go to settings.

 

The first thing you will see is ‘Account Info’.

  • Add an email address to the account - this allows you to recover your details if you forget them and take advantage of some extra security features. Click ‘Add Email’ and enter the address you want to use, then verify that address.

Click on ‘Security’. This will allow you to modify a number of features:

  • 2-Step Verification - this provides an extra layer of protection against hackers accessing your account. When it is turned on, you will receive an email or text message (if you have added your phone number) containing a code whenever a new device tries to login. The login will not be able to proceed if they cannot enter the code.

  • Account Pin - this can be used to prevent changes to settings by requiring a pin number to be entered whenever a setting is changed. You can use this when making an account for your child if you do not want them to change any settings without your permission.

  • Account Restrictions - here you can limit the games that your child is able to play and who can contact your account. If it is turned on, all content will be curated to ensure that nothing unsuitable can be accessed, while contact settings will be turned off, meaning non-friends will not be able to contact your account.

  • Secure Sign-Out - this will log out your account of any other devices that it may have signed into, which you can use in case of signing in on public devices and forgetting to log out later.

Click ‘Privacy’ next. Privacy allows you to control who can message your account, as well as who can invite you to their private servers or join you in games. We recommend that you set these to ‘Friends’, so that they can play their classmates games and share their creations with their teacher, or ‘No one’ if you are particularly concerned.

 

Downloading and reporting game content 🔎

Every game that can be played through Roblox has been made by another Roblox user. Although uncommon, this can unfortunately mean that inappropriate or malicious content may be slipped into games in order to catch players unaware.

 

However it is best to remember that inappropriate or malicious content relies on downloading additional modifications to Roblox and are not accessible through the base game. This is why we instruct our students to not download anything unless their teacher explicitly tells them to do so.

 

Both our teachers and students are encouraged to report inappropriate chat messages or game content by using the Roblox Report Abuse system, which is located throughout the site and in-game.

 

Microtransactions 💰

Roblox uses in-game purchases, called microtransactions, to provide special items or bonuses to the players. While these items are usually quite cheap (around £5), they can really stack up.

 

Microtransactions can be especially risky because Roblox do not sell items directly for money, but instead with Robux which is bought with real money. If children don't understand that Robux translates into real money, then there is a risk that they could rack up a considerable bill without realising.

 

To avoid this, follow these simple steps:

  • Don’t register a credit/debit card to your account. If your child wants to purchase something and has your permission, do not save your card details to their account. Instead, manually enter your details each time they have your permission. This need not be restrictive, however, since accounts purchase bundles of Robux and not individual items. If your child would like to buy several items at once, then it is possible to simply buy a large enough bundle of Robux to afford them all, paying only once.

  • Make use of prepaid Robux cards - a good way to encourage responsibility is to allow children to use their own money to buy things in game. A bank card is not even needed as major retailers now sell Robux cards which children can top-up with cash to use on the Roblox website.

Disclaimer 📃

At BlueShift, we want to ensure that our students are always staying safe online. However, as our teachers are unable to directly control what they do whilst we teach online, we are unable to take responsibility for your child accessing any inappropriate content.

 

We aim to provide you with all the information and materials possible to enable you to keep your own child safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our team on hello@blueshiftcoding.com or call us on 0203 176 4660.

What is your refund policy for online classes?

Before the course starts:

 

If you want to cancel your online class booking 14+ days prior to the start date, then you may either choose to receive the full course amount as credit for a future course or receive the full amount as a refund.

 

If you want to cancel your online class booking 13 - 7 days prior to the start date, then you may either choose to receive the full course amount as credit for a future course or receive 50% of the amount paid as a refund.

 

If you want to cancel your online class within a week of the course starting then we’ll happily offer the full amount of the course as credit for future courses but you won’t be able to receive a refund.

 

Please note that these policies are slightly different if you’re a first time BlueShift customer. Please refer to the section below for more detail.

 

During the course:

 

If you’re a first time BlueShift customer:

 

We appreciate that if it’s your first time experiencing BlueShift you want to feel confident using our online services, that’s why if your child completes their first session and decides that it’s not for them, we will give you a refund for the whole course.

 

The window to receive the full refund is between the end of the first session and the beginning of the second session. If you decide at any point after the beginning of the second session that you no longer want to continue, we are happy to roll over the remaining sessions as credit.

 

If you’re not a first time BlueShift customer:

 

If after your first session of a specific course, and before the beginning of the second session, you decide that it’s not right for your child, then we will roll over the cost of the whole course as credit for a future course.

 

If you decide at any point after the beginning of the second session that your child no longer wants to continue, we will roll over the remaining sessions as credit.

 

Please direct any requests for credit and refunds to hello@blueshiftcoding.com.

What equipment does my child need for remote learning?

Your child will need a laptop with a strong internet connection, earphones/headset, webcam and microphone to communicate with their teacher and the other students in their class.

We also advise you to have a mouse.

How do I find the link to the class?

Before your child’s course is due to begin, you should have received invites to five google calendar events to the email address you gave us in your booking form.

 

Each of these events will have the same link to your child’s Zoom Virtual Classroom for the week. This means that no matter which day it is, you can click on the same link and find yourself in the correct Virtual Classroom, unless specified to you otherwise by the BlueShift team.

 

We will also send you an email reminder 30 minutes before your class starts with the link to join.

 

If you find yourself in an empty Virtual Classroom at any point, it might be because you missed an email from us informing you of a link change!

Can I use an iPad or tablet instead of laptop / PC?

Unfortunately, you are unable to use an iPad or a tablet to join our online classes.

How to get set up on our Virtual Classroom with Zoom

If you’ve already successfully set up Zoom, please see our second article on ‘How to set up an online code editor and use Zoom in class

Before you download Zoom, please check that your child has access to: 

  • A laptop or computer (we do not support use of tablets) with a strong internet connection, and full battery for the session.

  • A headset or earphones are strongly advised, to reduce background noise.

  • Most laptops come with an in-built microphone, but please check this.

  • A parent to help them set up, 10 minutes before the session starts.

 

Step 1: Download Zoom

To download Zoom, head to:

  1.  The download should happen automatically. If it does not, try clicking this link to download again.

  2.  The download may appear here - if it does, click to load.

If you do not see the download here, try checking your download folder on your computer.

Step 2: Create a Zoom account

  1. Create a new account or sign up with any of the other suggested options.

  2. Selecting ‘Keep me signed in’ is recommended

STEP 3: Launch Zoom, our Virtual Classroom software

Click the link provided by your blue{shift} tutor or classroom.

  1. If this window pops up, click Open zoom.us and skip steps 2 and 3. If Zoom does not open then try pressing ‘click here’.

  2. If Zoom continues to be uncooperative then the lesson may be joined in the browser.

  3. The downloaded Zoom app provides the best reliability, however this browser option is available if necessary.

  1. If this is your first launch or you have an external mic/speaker you may want to test your equipment by clicking.

  2. If you are confident your equipment is working well then click ‘Join with Computer Audio’.

Congratulations. You are all set to go for your lesson!

---

Please see our second article on ‘How to set up an online code editor and use Zoom in class

If any problems persist or you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the blue{shift} team!

How do I set up an online code editor and use Zoom in class?

If you’ve already successfully set up Zoom, please see our second article on ‘How to set up an online code editor and use Zoom in class’ [LINK]

 

STEP 1: Create an account for the online code environment required for your child’s class.

 

 

 

  1. Open Zoom and your programming window (e.g. scratch.mit.edu). 

  2. Arrange your windows side by side.

  3. The chat function can be found here. This will be used to communicate to the teacher when asked or if you have technical difficulties with your mic.

Classroom behaviour

 

  • Show ready behaviour online by looking at the teacher and showing hands when asked

  • Show respectful behaviour online by using the chat function instead of shouting out when asked.

  • Please remain safe, by not sharing any highly personal information (such as your full name or address!)

If any problems persist or you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the BlueShift team!

Create an account for your online class

The blue{shift} team will let you know if you will need a Scratch, Bitsbox, p5.js, or Mu Editor account for your child’s lesson. Please ensure that your email account is activated in order to receive class reports from your child’s tutor.

 

Set up an account for your child on Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu/join


Set up an account for your child on Bitsbox, an app builder based on JavaScript: https://bitsbox.com/code.html 


Set up an account on p5.js, a JavaScript editor for older children: https://editor.p5js.org/signup


Set up an account on Trinket, a Python editor: https://trinket.io/sign-up?mc_cid=183b6333ce&mc_eid=%5BUNIQID%5D

 

 

If you are having trouble creating an account, your teacher will be available to help you set up. Your teacher will be on Zoom 15 minutes before the session starts to help with setup issues.

Is there a cut-off for when I can book a course for the following week?

Yes. We stop accepting bookings for morning courses on Sunday 3.30PM and for afternoon courses on Monday 9AM. 

Please note that we advise you to book our courses by Friday afternoon as we will only have limited spaces available over the weekend.

 We want to make sure that you are fully set up for Monday, therefore we are unable to accept bookings until very last minute.

Can I use childcare vouchers?

Yes! We are able to accept childcare vouchers for our online classes.

 

We ask you to pay in full for the course you would like your child to attend via our website so that we can collect the necessary information we need for our teachers and admin team. Once you have booked you will get a confirmation email with a booking reference number (e.g. #1234). When you make your childcare voucher payment we ask that you include this booking reference number so we can easily match the voucher payment to your original booking.

 

Once the vouchers come through into our bank account, we will refund your order in full!

 

To organise this with us, please get in touch at hello@blueshiftcoding.com. We will be able to give you our account information for your childcare voucher provider system.

Can I book individual days?

We do not allow individual day bookings for our online courses. As each course consists of five hour long lessons which work toward a finished project, we believe that individual day bookings would both be disruptive to the rest of the class and difficult for the new student to join in with. We want all children to leave our online courses feeling like they have accomplished a goal - joining for a day or two might leave your child unsatisfied!

If you are not available for one of the five sessions, you can still book a course. When you sign up to a class, you will receive a link to a Padlet which will have the solution code available for each lesson. Therefore if your child has to miss a lesson, they can log-in outside of the classroom and catch up!

You can also book our 1:1 online tuition which offers more flexibility.

Are online classes appropriate for my child’s age?

Having tested our online 1:6 Virtual Classrooms with children of a variety of ages, we have confirmed that it is suitable for children aged 6+. Children below this age have found it too difficult to effectively use a computer whilst engaging with the content - often leading to technical difficulties which cannot be easily managed by our teachers.

We also ask that all children that are joining our classes are able to read. 

Kids Get Coding

Scratch Exercise: Drawing Duck

Change the numbers to change the shape Data Duck draws!

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/107394376/

Scratch Exercise: Coordinate Drawing

Use this helpful tool to learn about coordinates and help Data Duck draw some shapes!

Scratch Exercise: Bug Hunter

Play the bug hunter game!

Scratch Exercise: Kick the Ball

Can you kick the ball to Data Duck? 

See if you can add the correct block to help Raccoon kick the ball to Data Duck.

Scratch Exercise: Make a Move

Data Duck is dancing, but can you get mouse moving too? 

 

Scratch Exercise: Password Generator

Use this helpful tool to make your passwords safe!

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/114386541/

Scratch Exercise: Car

Data Duck is going for a drive; help him follow the map!

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/238436779/

Pixel Programming

When computers create or save a picture, they do this by dividing the picture into a grid. Each square of the grid is called a pixel, and each pixel has its own coordinates. Coordinates are made up of two numbers that describe where something is on a grid. For example, the coordinates for where Data Duck is on the grid below are X7 Y7 – seven squares along the line, or axis, called ‘X’, and seven squares along on the axis called ‘Y’.

Data Duck has taken a picture and saved it on his computer. But he can’t remember what it the picture looks like, and his computer is only giving him the coordinates of the pixels, along with their colour. Using the computer information (see below), try to draw the picture Data Duck took.

Creating a Score System

Many games (even board games and card games) have a scoring system. This means that is it is possible to collect points (and lose them!), and there are rules about how many points are awarded when.

The aim of our maze game is to get to the giant pile of treats in the centre! Along the way, you can collect more treats, but you need to be careful – there are villains lurking, too!

Before you start playing, set the rules for your game:

  • How many points do players get when they collect a treat?

  • How many points do they lose when they bump into a villain?

In computer games, players often have lives – they start with three, for example, and lose one each time they get something wrong. You could add lives to your scoring system, too. Maybe a player loses a life (rather than points) each time they bump into a villain? What happens when a player loses all their lives?
Once you have worked out your scoring system, play your game with a friend. you can keep your scores below!

 

 

Debug Your Game

Click here to download this activity as a PDF worksheet to print out at home!

Creating computer games is a lot of fun. You can see your characters come to life and enjoy playing something you made! But sometimes your code may not work properly. Mistakes in coding are called bugs, and they are very common. When we  x the code, this is called debugging.

Max has created a game called ‘Catch the Candy’. The player controls the character, Amy, with a brown basket on her head. Candy falls from the sky, and the player needs to make sure Amy catches as much of it as possible in her basket. Every piece of candy adds to the score. Unfortunately, the game isn’t like Max imagined it. Can you help him debug the code?

Design Your Own App

Scratch Exercise: Duck

Put the photos in the right order. 

Scratch Exercise: Tommy

Data Duck has lost his pet tortoise!

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/238435439/

Debug it!

 

STEP 1: OPEN SCRATCH

To get started you will need to open a web based program called Scratch. Click this link or enter the text below into your browser’s address bar:

 

 

When Scratch has opened you should see this:

 

You have two sprites shown on the left side of your screen - big duck and baby duck. Make sure the baby duck’s sprite is selected. Click on its thumbnail.

Hint: If the sprite is selected it will have a blue border around its thumbnail.

Click the green flag, and then press the space bar on your computer’s keyboard.

 

STEP 2: GET THE BABY DUCK MOVING!

When you press the space bar, the big duck starts moving but the baby duck only moves a little bit.

We need the baby duck to keep moving!

We can do this by putting the “move 10 steps” block inside a loop. Loops repeat the scripts inside them. They can repeat forever, or for a certain amount of times.

Can you add a loop block to get the baby duck moving? 

 

Look at the two scripts below.

 

Can you change the script to the correct one to get the baby duck moving continuously?

Once you have changed the script, click the green flag and then press the space bar again.

Does the baby duck keep moving?

STEP 3: GET THE BABY DUCK UNSTUCK!

Well done for getting the baby duck moving! But what happens when the baby duck reaches the edge of the screen?

It seems the baby duck is stuck and is not turning back around and instead seems to be climbing up the edge of the screen!

How might we get the baby duck unstuck and send him back in the other direction?

Look at the scripts below, which one might work?

 

Once you have changed your script, click the green  ag and then press the space bar again.

Does the baby duck turn around and keep moving once reaching the edge of the screen?

 

STEP 4: GET THE BABY DUCK MOVING IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION!

Baby duck is turning around, but isn’t moving straight across the screen as expected. Instead the baby duck is flying around the screen!

We need to debug our scripts and point the baby duck in the right direction!

Can you find the block below and put it in the script so that the baby duck points in the right direction when the green flag is clicked?

 

Hint: 90 is right, -90 is left, 0 is up and 180 is down.

Once you have added the block, click the green  ag and then press the space bar again.

Is the baby duck moving across the screen in the right direction now?

If the baby duck is moving back and forth across the screen like the big duck is, go to the next step!

 

STEP 5: GET THE BABY DUCK TO TURN AROUND!

The baby duck is moving back and forth across the screen like the big duck. But something still isn’t right. What is the big duck doing that the baby duck isn’t? 

 

The baby duck isn’t turning his body when he changes his direction!

Let’s debug our script to make the baby duck move his body.

Find the block below and put it in the scripts so that the baby duck’s rotation style is set when the green flag is clicked.

 

Which rotation style do you think you need to choose?

Once you have added the block - and set the correct rotation style, click the green flag and then press the space bar again.

STEP 6: MORE CHALLENGES!

Is the baby duck copying the big duck? If not, look at the image below to check that you have debugged the scripts correctly.

 

If so, congratulations! You have debugged your code and helped the baby duck follow the big duck!

Ready for more? See if you can complete the challenges below:

 

  • The baby duck needs to move faster

  • The baby duck needs to move up and down

  • The baby duck needs to move only after the up key is pressed

Apple Collecting Game

Click here to download this activity as a PDF worksheet to print out at home!

Data Duck needs help collecting pears and apples! You can help by writing down the x and y coordinates of the fruit. The first one has been done for you!

 

Drawing With Coordinates

Plot the coordinate points and draw the shape! Once you have made your shape write down what it is. The coordinates of the first shape have been plotted for you. Hint: the x goes first!

 

Treasure Hunt Activities 1-3

Activity 1

HELP! Data Duck has been blindfolded by pirates and needs your help saving the ducklings and getting to the treasure! Using the path shown on the map, tell Data Duck how many steps needed to complete the journey. The first few have been done for you!

Activity 2

Can you use arrows to tell Data Duck what direction he needs to move in follow the path? Draw arrows in the boxes, the first two have been done for you.

Activity 3

To help Data Duck you will need to draw a path on the map to save all the ducklings and to find the treasure. Watch out for snakes and pirates! Once you have your path, instruct Data Duck along it using arrows and steps like you did in the previous activities.

Binary Code Breaking Activity

Click here to download this activity as a PDF worksheet to print out at home!

Binary code is used by computers to store information. It is usually made up of two symbols - 1 and 0! We can also represent binary with other symbols, like marked and empty boxes!

The key on the right shows the binary code for the alphabet. Using the key, can you  figure out what the secret code is? Write the correct letter beside each code strip to  find out! The first letter has been done for you!

Flipbook

Pixel Colouring Activity

Can you find the pictures hiding in the pixels below? Using a black marker, carefully colour in each pixel marked with a 1.

When you have finished, write down what each picture shows below!

For extra points can you say how many pixels tall and wide the pictures are?

 

In-Person After School Clubs - Parents' Handbook

Overview of our COVID-19 Camps Policy

Following Government guidelines we no longer have a strict covid policy in place.

 

We do however ask that if your child is experiencing symptoms or tests positive for Covid-19 that you let us know and that they do not attend camp to reduce the risk of spreading.

 

At camp:

  • Our teachers will be advised to take lateral flow tests

  • We will regularly encourage both our students and teachers to wash/sanitise their hands.

  • Staff will be regularly cleaning common areas as well as classrooms.

  • Equipment will be cleaned before and after playtime.

  • Face masks are no longer a requirement.

  • Parents are now allowed back on site.

Last updated 26th May 2022.

 

CampShift policy

We understand that plans and children's interests can change last minute! Our CampShift policy gives you the flexibility to change your camp dates and course as many times as you like, up until a week before your camp begins.

 

Before the camp begins:

 

Has your child decided that our Roblox camp suits them better than Minecraft? Holiday dates changed? No problem! If you want to change your camp booking 7+ days prior to the start date then you can choose any of our other camp dates or courses instead (as long as the new camp is 7+ days away and depending on availability).

 

Changing the dates or courses will retain Early Bird Sale rates. If the price of your new camp is different because of a level change, you will be required to pay the difference or we will refund you likewise. If you'd like to switch to an online course instead of in person then your remaining balance will be issued as credit.

 

Please see our camp refund policy here.

 

Please direct any requests for dates or course changes to hello@blueshiftcoding.com

 

Parent Events at Camp

Please note that some parent events might not be running for the time-being due to COVID-19. Parents will be informed via email and ClassDojo about all parent events happening at camp. Parents will be able to get in touch with teachers via ClassDojo and are able to ring our event team if they have any questions.

 

On the first day of camp (normally a Monday), we host a 'Meet the Teachers' morning between 9-10am. This is your chance to meet the teacher who will be teaching your child, discuss the course and ask any questions! 

 

On the last day of camp (normally a Friday), we host a 'Parent-Teacher Meeting' morning between 9-10am. In this hour you can ask your child's teacher how they got on, ask for tips on what you can do to extend your child's learning at home or which course they should do next!

 

Refreshments will be available on both mornings. Please note that we do not ask you to book time slots, so plan to arrive early if you want to make sure you're not waiting to talk to a teacher!
If you don't get to ask as many questions as you would like, remember that we will be sending you a report card all about your child's coding experience at camp.

Camp Graduation Ceremonies

On Friday afternoons we invite all parents and carers to come and watch their child graduate!

The graduation ceremony takes place at 3:45PM. Please arrive 5 minutes before so you can make your way to the hall.

The ceremony will consist of each child receiving a certificate and small prize. Children who were best behaved throughout the week will also receive an additional prize!

Camp Risk Assessment

Hazard

What could happen?

Who could be hurt?

Action taken to minimise risk

Strained eyes

Eyes could be strained from staring at a device for too long

Children, staff

Children and staff will take regular screen breaks, so they don’t spend too much time continuously looking at screens

Electrical equipment

Mains, extension cables or chargers could cause an electric shock

Children, staff

Electrical equipment will be checked by staff members for exposed wires and burn marks on cables or plugs before using appliances..

Tripping over cables

Cables in classrooms could lead to people tripping over them

Children, staff

Cables will be taped to the carpet where possible and staff will warn children of tripping hazards

Tripping over equipment

Balls or sports equipment in the playground could be a tripping hazard

Children, staff

Equipment in the playground will be tidied up at the end of play to avoid hazards

Choking

Children could choke on food at snack time/lunch time

Children

Children will not be allowed to stand up or walk around whilst they eat. There will always be at least one first aider in the room when children are eating

Slippery floors indoors

Water on floors could cause people to slip and injure themselves

Children, staff, parents, visitors

If there is a spill, or it is raining outside and wet feet bring the rain inside, staff will endeavour to clean the floor as soon as possible. In the meantime they will warn others of the risk

Raining outside

Rain could cause children to slip/decrease visibility and increase accidents

Children

Play will take place inside

Climbing frame

Children could fall off of the climbing frame and injure themselves

Children

Children under 7 will not be allowed on the climbing frame. Older children will always be supervised by an adult and removed if they act in a dangerous way

Children

Unsupervised children could hurt themselves or eachother

Children

Children will always be supervised: in class, at playtimes and at lunch 

Playground sports

A child or staff member could be hit by a ball or other play equipment

Children, staff

All sport activities will take place in a designated area of the playground. Children will be asked to be careful with sports equipment and be aware of others

Allergic reactions

Children or staff with allergies could be exposed to food they are allergic to

Children, staff

Parents are asked not to pack any nuts in packed lunches. Parents are also asked to notify staff of any allergies so arrangements can be made to ensure avoidance of these foods

3D printer

A child might reach in and touch the nozzle which could burn them

Children

3D printers will not be in use without an adult present and supervising the children

Glue guns

A child or staff member could burn themselves with the hot glue

Children, staff

An adult will be supervising and will explain to the children how hot glue can become. Any child behaving dangerously will be removed from the activity

Asthma

A child or staff member could have an asthma attack

Children, staff

Staff members will be expected to bring their own inhalers and know when/how to use them. Parents will be asked to notify us of any asthma diagnosis and provide us with their inhaler in case of emergency. At least one first aider will be on site to assist in the case of an asthma attack

Hot drinks

A child could be burned if a hot drink is accidentally spilled on them

Children

Staff are given reusable coffee mugs with covers, so the hot drink cannot be spilled

This risk assessment was created in September 2019, and will be updated as new risks are identified.

What is your camp refund policy?

If you would like to cancel your camp booking, please formally request cancellation via email to hello@blueshiftcoding.com.

Before the camp starts:

 

If you want to cancel your camp booking 14+ days prior to the start date, then you may either choose to receive the full camp amount as credit for a future camp or receive the full amount as a refund.

 

If you want to cancel your camp booking 13 - 7 days prior to the start date, then you may either choose to receive the full camp amount as credit for a future camp or receive 50% of the amount paid as a refund.

 

If you want to cancel your camp within a week of the course starting then we’ll happily offer the full amount of the camp as credit for future camps but you won’t be able to receive a refund.

 

Please note that these policies are slightly different if you’re a first time BlueShift customer. Please refer to the section below for more detail.

 

During the camp:

 

If you’re a first time BlueShift customer:

 

We appreciate that if it’s your first time experiencing BlueShift you want to feel confident using our services, that’s why if your child completes their first day of camps and decides that it’s not for them, we will refund the remaining days of camp you have booked.

 

If you decide that the BlueShift camp is not for your child at any point after the beginning of the second day of camp, we will provide the cost of the remaining days as credit towards a future BlueShift course.

 

 

If you’re not a first time BlueShift customer:

 

If at any point during the week you decide that your child no longer wants to continue, we’ll happily roll over the remaining days of camps as credit towards any future BlueShift products but won’t be able to provide a refund.

 

If for any reason the camp is cancelled by BlueShift, we will refund the fee paid in full.

 

Fees are non-returnable for students arriving late, leaving early or missing a day of camp for any reason.

Can I use childcare vouchers?

What are childcare vouchers?
Childcare vouchers are an employee benefit that companies can offer their staff that is tax and National Insurance exempt to a limit.

The Government closed the childcare vouchers scheme to new entrants on the 4th October 2019. If you are already a part of the scheme you can continue to use childcare vouchers, provided you stay with the same employer and your child remains eligible.

 

How you can use your childcare vouchers with BlueShift

 

Once you know which course you would like your child to attend, please book that course at full price using our website - this allows us to collect vital information such as your child's name, age and coding experience, as well as your contact details.

 

Once you have booked you will receive a booking confirmation email, which includes your booking number. It should look something like this: #1234. Please then get in touch with us at hello@blueshiftcoding.com with the name of your childcare voucher provider, and a member of the team will send you our details so you can find us! We ask that you to include your booking number in your payment reference.

 

Once we receive your childcare voucher payment, we will refund your original booking in full by matching your childcare voucher reference to your booking number.

 

Providers we are currently registered with

 

Care4, Edenred, Fideliti, Kiddivouchers, Reward Gateway Childcare, Sodexo, Allsave, Childcare Plus, Myfamilycarevouchers, Faircare, Gemelli and Co-Op Flexible Benefits.

 

If you don't see your childcare provider, please contact us at hello@blueshiftcoding.com and we'll sign up!

 

Child Safeguarding Policy

 

BlueShift Education believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

 

All staff at camps are trained in safeguarding and any concerns will be reported to the Camp Manager, and may be escalated if appropriate.

Anti-Bullying Policy

Statement of intent

At BlueShift we are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe learning environment for all of our camp attendees - both emotionally and physically.  Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our camps. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. If bullying does occur, incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively and the perpetrators dealt with appropriately. BlueShift is committed to providing a learning environment that listens to its children and the camp community as a whole. We encourage all children to feel able to report any cases of bullying to a member of staff.

 

At all BlueShift camps:

 

  • Bullying will not be tolerated and we take bullying seriously.

  • Campers and parents/carers should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

  • We will ensure that all teaching and non-teaching staff, campers and parents/carers have an understanding of what bullying is and are informed about this policy.

  • We will ensure that all teaching and non-teaching staff know what procedures to follow should an incident of bullying be reported/observed.

What is bullying?

Has the behaviour repeatedly intended to hurt, harass, exclude or single out another person by causing emotional or physical pain and distress to the victim?

 

Bullying falls into the following types and is communicated to others in many ways. These include:

 

  1. Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. threatening gestures)

  2. Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

  3. Racist: racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, aggressive behaviour

  4. Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

  5. Homophobic: focussing on the issue of sexuality, stereotyping or gender assumptions 

  6. Verbal and written: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing

  7. Cyber: internet, such as email and internet chat room misuse, mobile threats by text messaging and calls and misuse of associated technology i.e. camera & video facilities

Signs and Symptoms

A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and understand that they should investigate if a child:

 

  • is unwilling to attend camp courses or come to camp at all

  • becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence

  • starts stammering

  • attempts to run away

  • cries him/herself to sleep at night or has nightmares

  • feels ill in the morning / wets the bed

  • begins to do poorly in school work

  • comes home with clothes torn or otherwise damaged

  • has possessions which are damaged or "go missing"

  • has unexplained cuts or bruises

  • comes home starving (lunch has been stolen)

  • becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable

  • is bullying other children or siblings

  • stops eating

  • is frightened to say what's wrong

  • gives improbable excuses for any of the above

  • is frightened of walking to or from camp

  • changes his/her usual routine

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated by staff, together with parents/carers.

 

Procedures

In combination with the Behaviour and Discipline Policy, we will prevent bullying by implementing and upholding the BlueShift rules.

Behaviour and Discipline Policy

Introduction

At BlueShift, we recognise that the behaviour of the vast majority of our campers is excellent for almost all of the time and we seek to provide positive incentives to further encourage this. We believe that a clear and consistent policy provides security for children, increases their opportunities for development and learning, as well as supporting all our campers to behave well.

 

Every member of the staff team is responsible for promoting and supporting positive behaviour throughout every camps.

 

Behaviour expectations have been formulated into the BlueShift Rules. Campers and staff are reminded of the BlueShift rules at the beginning of every day of camp. Parents and carers are also made aware of the Rules via the Parents’ Handbook, which is hosted on our website and is sent out to customers before each camp.

 

It is the expectation that all children will agree to follow the BlueShift Rules. Class teachers are responsible for introducing the Rules to their pupils.  Each teacher is responsible for revisiting the Rules with their class as well as, on occasion, setting additional expectations.

 

We recognise that different techniques are more or less effective dependent on the age of our campers. This is why our Juniors (5-9) have a different behaviour management system than our Seniors (10+).

 

Juniors

Each Junior class will have a behaviour chart (as illustrated below). At the beginning of the week each child will have a little character to write their names on, these characters will be placed on yellow. If a child shows Ready, Respectful or Safe behaviour, or shows immense effort or achievement, they will be moved up on the chart. However if they are not showing positive behaviour, and have ignored a warning, they will be moved down on the chart.

 

Their position on the chart at the end of the day will be reflected in either a sticker from their teacher or a gold sticker from the camp manager. 

 

We find that behaviour charts are very effective due to how it shows a child that if they make a mistake, they will be moved down, but they can then make a positive change and end the day on a positive colour.

 

If a child moves down on the behaviour chart they might have to speak to the camp manager about their behaviour. We always emphasise to children who have been moved down that they can change in the future.

 

Seniors

To support positive behaviour in class or around the camp, graduated procedures are in place.

 

Seniors who break a rule will be sanctioned in the following way to reflect the adult’s decision:

 

  •  Yellow Zone/First Warning – Verbal warning in class

  •  Orange Zone/Second Warning - Taken out of classroom and spoken to by the teacher, time out in class

  •  Red Zone/Third Warning - Time out out of class (e.g office) and parents notified

  •  Purple Zone/Fourth Warning - Parents notified and child sent home

Break down of Senior Zone levels

Yellow Zone – Verbal warning

 

The staff member reminds the child of the expected behaviour, refers to the relevant part of the BlueShift Rules (i.e. Ready, Respectful, Safe) and warns the child. The teacher may move the child’s name without verbal reference if they are in the middle of teaching. If the unwanted behaviour continues refer to the ‘Orange Zone’.

 

Orange Zone - Time out in class

 

‘Time out’ provides the child with an opportunity to cool down and reflect. The child will be asked to sit alone in an appropriate place in class. It is the expectation that five minutes time out should be sufficient, but in all cases this will be limited to a maximum of ten minutes. In some circumstances a child may be asked to have more than one time out within the same session. If the unwanted behaviour continues refer to the ‘Red Zone’.

 

Red Zone - Time out in another class/staff office

 

Time out of class, provides the child with an opportunity to cool down and reflect away from the class environment. Time out of class is always supervised. Children will not be asked to sit in the corridor. It is the expectation that five minutes should be sufficient but in all cases ‘time out in another class’ will be limited to a maximum of ten minutes.

 

Class based staff will keep a record of any child given time out in their class.

 

Apart from exceptional circumstances, it is expected that a child’s behaviour would have been supported through the graduated sanctions detailed above before being moved to the Red Zone. Some behaviours, e.g bullying, will lead to being placed immediately in the ‘Red Zone’.

 

Purple Zone

 

  • Fighting with children

  • Deliberately hurting an adult

  • Refusing to show respect towards adults and the school’s expectations

Parents notified and the child sent home. 

Photography consent

Often at camps we will have a professional photographer present to document the event in a non-distracting or disruptive way. When you booked your child's camp, you will have been asked whether you consent to your child being photographed. If you selected yes, you agree that their images can be used in:

 

  • BlueShift newsletters and round-ups of the camp

  • BlueShift social media channels

  • On the BlueShift website and any future iterations thereof

  • In BlueShift marketing materials and prospectuses

If you selected no when answering the photo consent question, your child's image may be unintentionally captured but will never be used publicly - we ascertain consent very carefully with our photographers. However some images will be shared via ClassDojo (see the Staying in Touch page for more information about how ClassDojo works) but these are strictly limited to parents of children attending camps and staff of BlueShift.

 

If you have any questions or concerns about photography consent, please don't hesitate to get in touch. 

Introduction

Hi there! We're so pleased you've booked a place for your child on an upcoming BlueShift holiday coding camp. This parents' handbook is designed to give you all the information you'll need before, during, and after the camp takes place. 

 

We want you and your children to feel happy, safe, and stimulated by the courses we have on offer and the environment we work in. Therefore, the handbook includes details of (among other things):

 

  • What a typical day at camp looks like

  • What you'll need to bring (and what not to bring!)

  • Our rules and code of conduct

  • Our policies on refunds, sickness, and emergencies

We hope you find the information useful, clear, and are reassured that your child is going to have a brilliant, safe, and productive time with us!

 

If you have any further questions that aren't answered in these pages, please don't hesitate to get in touch via the little blue chat icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.

How to get to camp

BlueShift's holiday camp locations:

Our upcoming camps are taking place at the JCB of Notting Hill Prep School (11th-22nd July) and at Colville Primary School (25th July - 19th August 2022). Please see maps and more information below.

 

See below for maps and closest tube stations to both locations

 

Notting Hill Preparatory School
The Jane Cameron Building, 124 Lancaster Road,
W11 1QQ

 

Nearest tube stations: Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate

 

Look for our sign outside the door!

 

 

Colville Primary School
Lonsdale Rd, Notting Hill, London
W11 2DF

 

Nearest tube stations: Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate

 

Look for our sign outside the door!

Dates and times

Camp takes place Monday-Friday 10am-4pm.

We do offer options for early drop off (from 9am) and late pickup (up until 5pm).

 

Our upcoming Summer Camps are taking place at the JCB of Notting Hill Prep School between 11th-22nd July, and at Colville Primary School between 25th July - 19th August 2022.

Staying in touch

Before Camp

We will send you a reminder email confirming times, location and other relevant details about the upcoming camp a few days before it starts - with links to this Parents' Handbook so you won't lose it! You will also get an invite to join ClassDojo (see below).

During Camp

We will be using ClassDojo, a communications app that lets parents see what their child is doing, during the camp. You will be able to see photos of your child's work, message the teachers directly, and keep up to date with your young coder's progress. You will find schedules and reports on your child's progress here as well.

We think it's a brilliant platform and you'll get a great deal of feedback from your teachers. For more information on how ClassDojo is used in schools (and camps like ours!), do check out their site. 

After Camp

We will send you an email with the highlights of the camp and some lessons to use as you continue your child's progress at home. We'll also send you your child's personal report card, written by their teacher, by email shortly after camp!

If you have any urgent queries, we are always available at hello@blueshiftcoding.com, by phone on 020 3176 4660 or by using the blue chat icon in the bottom right of your screen.

What to bring to camp

  • A laptop (not required for Mini Coders or if you selected an option to rent one - more info here)

  • Any laptop chargers and a case

  • A packed lunch, containing no nuts - more info here

  • A labelled, refillable water bottle

  • Comfy, weather appropriate clothing (this could include rain gear, wellies, coat, etc - we'll be playing outside each day!)

  • A note with all necessary passwords written down - more info here

What NOT to bring to camp

Please do not bring any of the following to camp:

  • Snacks or packed lunched containing nuts
  • Electronic devices and mobile phones (other than those being used for courses)

  • Jewellery or valuables 
  • Breakable or precious toys

If you have any questions or concerns about something you or your child are planning on bringing into camp, please get in touch via the chat icon at the bottom of your screen or call 0203 176 4660.

Students with special educational needs and disabilities, and medical information

We want to make sure that your child has the best experience possible. So if there is anything that you think we should know about, please arrive early for a chat with your child's teacher.

SEND students

Our programs are designed to be suitable for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), however, every child responds to the activities differently. All of our teachers have had some basic training, but feel free to reach out to us to help our teachers understand your child's specific needs. Please come to the camp ahead of drop-off time on the first day for a short meeting with a teacher in order to make your child's experience at the camp a great one.

Meetings can also be arranged via phone on 0203 176 4660, by email at hello@blueshiftcoding.com or via live chat using the blue icon at the bottom of your screen.

Medical information

Please inform us about any allergies or any other relevant information either when signing up for your course or by phone or email as per the contact details above.

Arrival

 

Registration on the first day of camp (usually Monday) takes place between 9am and 10am. Please try to arrive earlier rather than later as we will be very busy by 9:45 am!

 

On subsequent days of camp (usually Tuesday-Friday) arrival should be between 9.45am and 10am. You can also drop your child off from 9am, campers will play some games bofere classes start. Early drop off is included in the price.

 

Lessons begin each day at 10am and finish at 4pm. We start and finish right on time so please be prompt! Attendance is taken each morning.

 

Safe Arrival Program

The Safe Arrival Program ensures campers arrive safely at camp each morning. If your child is going to be absent, please let the camp office know as soon as possible. If an absence is not reported and your child is not at camp, we will call you to ensure he/she is safe.

To assist with the running of our Safe Arrival Program, please inform us as soon as you know that your child is going to be late or absent.

 

Lunch

On each day of camp, there will be a lunch break between 12:30pm and 1:30pm, with 30 minutes to eat lunch and 30 minutes of play time.

Please provide your child with a packed lunch on each day of camp - no nuts, please! Snacks will be provided during breaks.

In an effort to be sustainable, we ask that parents send their children to camp with a reusable water bottle. Children will be shown where they can refill their water bottles, and staff will allow for this at any time.

Please kindly let us know if your child has any allergies that we need to be aware of.

Finally, please label all items that your child brings to camp, including coats, hats, and lunchboxes.

Resources

2.0 Scratch Jr: Character conversation

Overview:

Make two characters talk to each other!

 

Step 1.Choose a background

 

 

Step 2.Choose a character

 

 

Step 3. Move your characters to a starting position

 

 

Step 4. Program your conversation

Step 5. Program your conversation

 

1.0 Pong Game

In this lesson we are going to create a challenging Pong game!

 

Step 1: Getting ready

The first thing we need to do is to edit the sprite.
Select the cat and click on the costume tab and clear the sprite.

Draw a new sprite with the tools.
This sprite will be the ball in your pong game!

The next step is to choose a background.
Click on the backdrop tab and then choose a background like the one on the right!

Now that we have a backdrop we need to add in a line to the bottom.
Select the line tool and adjust the width
Add a line like the green one.

 

 

Step 2: The paddle

Now that we have the ball and the backdrop we now need to create the paddle.
Select the paint brush to create a paddle

Draw with the line tool.

Time to code your paddle!
Create a script to make the paddle move left and right when the keys are pressed.

 

 

Step 3: The ball

The next step is to code your ball.
Add scripts to the ball that will interact with the paddle as well as the backdrop.

Get your ball to bounce off the edges of the wall! 

To make it more interesting we can add sounds to the game!

The program should make sounds whenever the ball hits the paddle.

The ball should also bounce away when it hits the paddle.
We don’t want it sticking to the paddle!

 

Step 4: Let’s add a score!

By creating a variable we can keep track of our score!
Name your new variable score

We also need to reset the score if you lose!
To do this we need to set the score to ‘0’ when the ball hits the ground.

Your script for the ball should change the score everytime it hits the paddle.

 

 

* Challenge : multiple levels *

If you managed to finish the above well done!!
As an extension we can add levels to the game!
To do this create a new variable but this time call it level

We need to broadcast a new message so they program knows to change level

A new variable called speed needs to be created

Add code to your ball sprite to reset the level and score and increase the speed of the ball.

The level needs to change when your score increases.

The speed should get faster when the level changes.

2.0 Logic Reasoning

In this lesson, we will learn about using logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs, getting your teaching to move around in a square and using scratch!

 

Step 1: Predicting the Behaviour of our Robot!

Sometimes we need to predict what our program will do so we need to be able to use logic reasoning to be able to read and write your own code!

Question 1.
Below you can see our robot we want to tell her to walk in a square using logic reasoning, you can do this in 4 steps!
The first step is done for you, can you tell me
what the other 3 steps would be?

1. Move 2 steps, quarter turn right

2.

3.

4.

End

Question 2.
Can you draw in the square below what shape this draws?

Repeat 4 times
[ move 2 steps Make a quarter turn right]

HINT: If you are not sure, you can act out the movements with a friend!

 

Step 2: Lets do it Scratch

Start a new project
Have a look at the Scratch interface to familiarise yourself with it . . .

Remove the cat Sprite
Hint: Right click

Choose ‘New Sprite’ from the library or up-load your own.

Next

 

 

Step 3: Your First Script + Drawing with your sprite

Now we need to start our script!

 

Let’s try making our character start from the same position!

 

Now we’re going to use tell our program we are going to use the pen tool!

Hint: you can find this code block under Pen

Question 3.

Before we add the next piece of code, can you read the code to the right and write down what shape this will draw?

No Peeking!

 

Now we can add our code to scratch, does your program draw what you expected?
Hint: you can find the repeat code block under Control


Now test your script! Press the Right Arrow Key What do you see?

TEST + SAVE!!


Lets change some of the numbers.....
What do you think will happen when we change the move number?
Test and Press the Right Arrow Key again, What do you see?

What will happen when you change the repeat block? What shape do you think this will be?
Test and Press the Right Arrow Key again, What do you see?

Now, let’s try changing the amount of turn.
Can you predict the shapes you’ll make?

Here are some cool things to try:
repeat 6 times, turn 60 degrees
repeat 8 times, turn 45 degrees

Now test your script! Press the Right Arrow Key What do you see?

 

Step 4: EXTRA: Make really cool patterns!

This code is using nested loops, putting repeat blocks inside repeat blocks allows us to create cool patterns, try it for yourself!

Now test your script! Press the Right Arrow Key What do you see?
TEST + SAVE!

 

 

Step 5: Let's experiment with the Code!

Try adding the line below in your code. Now press the right arrow key and move mouse around the screen!

Try adding these lines in your code:

You can set any numbers. Now press the right arrow key and move mouse around the screen!

Try to change numbers of any line – degrees, pen size and more. Press the right key and move your mouse. Let’s see what happens!

Here are some examples of what could be done just by changing the numbers.

Now test your script! Press the Right Arrow Key! What do you see?
TEST + SAVE!!

3.0 Quest Game

Today we are going to start making a role playing game or an RPG. We are going to learn how to use conditional statements to animate our sprite and change the backdrop! Next lesson we will continue our game by coding an object for our character to find.

 

Step 1. Open Scratch

Go to scratch.mit.edu in your preferred browser.
Log in with your username and password.
Find the Quest Game Starter in your class studio and open it, and clickSee Inside
You will now see the start of your project with four sprites:

 

 

Step 2. Take a look at your Character sprite 

Look at the code already on your Character2 sprite. This code animates the sprite.

It is a lot of code but it is very simple!

Look more closely. There are four conditional statements telling the sprite what to do when each of the arrow keys is pressed.
When a key is pressed the sprite points in the direction of the arrow, and switches between three costumes and moves three times.

Hint: If you look at the sprite’s costumes in the costume tab you will see all the different costumes for the different movements.

 

 

Step 3. Take a look at the House Entrance and Ouside Door

Look at the House Entrance and Outside Door sprites. You will see code already on these sprites.
These scripts tell the sprites when they need to show and hide!

 

 

Step 4. Go inside the house

Add this script to your Character2 sprite.

This script will tell the backdrop to change to inside, hide the house and change the x location when you touch the House Entrance sprite.

Add this block to the script:

This conditional statement will make the sprite go back to the town backdrop if it touches the Outside Door sprite.

 

 

Step 5. Head to the forest!

Add this script to the Character2 sprite.

What edge does the sprite have to walk to to get to the forest?

Hint: We test what the current backdrop is so that the sprite will only go to the forest if it is already in the town. It will not go to the forest from the other locations!

Add another conditional statement to your Character2 sprite.

 

 

Step 7. Extension: Go to the water

If the sprite walks to the right edge of the screen it should go to the water backdrop.
Add the script below to the Character2 sprite, and fill in the blanks make it do this!
Hint: the right edge is x = 240, and the left edge is x = -240

Step 8. Extension: Make the sprite avoid objects

Add the script below to your Character2 sprite. This will stop the sprite from bumping into the different objects.

Hint: There are at least three different objects your sprite should avoid. Can you find them? Remember to click the square in the touching colour block and then the colour you want the script to sense.

3.1 Quest Game 2

Overview:

In the last lesson we began making an RPG, or role playing game. In this lesson we will finish our game by adding an object for our character to find.

 

Step 1. Open Scratch

Go to scratch.mit.edu in your preferred browser.
Log in with your username and password.
Find the Quest Game project which you started in the last lesson, open it, and clickSee Inside

 

 

Step 2. Take a look at your Object sprite

Last lesson we started our project by making our sprite move.
This lesson we will be adding an object for the character to find.
Click the Object sprite and look at the costumes. Choose one.

 

Step 3. Compare the backdrop number to a variable

Add the following script to start a conditional statement.
This is an if else statement. If the condition is true it will do one thing, else, it will do another.

Add a relational operator block as shown in the picture.

We want to create a variable and compare this to the current backdrop.

Add thebackdrop # block to your script.

Create a variable named object location. Add this to your script.

We will change the value of object location randomly when the character touches the Object sprite.

Add a show and a hide block so that the Object will show only when the backdrop # is equal to the variable.

Add another variable, Score, and conditional statement to your sprite.

This will change the Score variable by 1 when the Character2 sprite touches the Object sprite.

 

 

Step 5. Pick a new random location

Add the following blocks to the script.

This will hide the object and pick a new random backdrop when the character touches the Object sprite.

Hint: The backdrop numbers are 1 through 4, ordered from top to bottom if you look at the backdrops tab.

Add the following block to the script.

This will change the x and y location of the Object sprite after it is hidden and before it reappears.

Add the following blocks to the script.

This will set the score and the object location when the green flag is clicked and the game begins.
At what location will the object start in?
Hint: Backdrop # 1

 

 

Step 6. Extension: Add a timer 

Can you make a timer so that the Character2 sprite says the score and the game stops after 10 seconds?
Use the blocks on the right to build your script.
Make sure you add this to the Character2 sprite!

 

 

Step 7. Extension: Make it snow!

Can you make it snow? Draw a new sprite by clicking the paint brush icon.

 

4.0 Don't pop the balloon!

Overview:
In this lesson we are going to learn about conditional statements. Conditional statements allow us to test whether different conditions are true or false, and do something depending on the outcome!
In this lesson we will have a balloon and an animal - if the balloon touches the animal the balloon will pop!

 

 

Step 1. 

To start off choose two sprites and one backdrop!
Hint: 

Make your animal follow the              Make your balloon “pop” when it touches your
mouse pointer.                                    first sprite!

 

 

 

Step 2. Make your balloon move!

Using the blocks below, make a script that will make your balloon glide to a random location on the stage continuously.

Hint: Look at themove to block already on your balloon sprite for help on where to put thepick randomblocks.
The x axis starts at - 240 on the left, and the y axis starts at -180 at the bottom.

 

 

Step 3. Add another condition!

Let’s add another conditional statement, but this time on your animal sprite. Add the script below but choose your own condition!
Hint: Look in the sensing blocks to find the different things that Scratch can sense!

 

 

Going further:

See what other things you can get your sprites to do! Here are some ideas if you are stuck:

  • On your last script, change thethink block to another action - make your sprite spin or change colour!

  • Right click on your balloon sprite and duplicate it so that you have number of different balloons floating around to be popped.

  • See if you can add a variable that counts how many balloons have been popped!

 

1.1 Intro to Scratch 2

Overview:

We are going to learn how to change the numbers in our blocks to alter the way our sprite moves. We will also learn how to animate our sprite to make it look like it is running! We will be using the same categories that we have covered previously: events, motion and control. We will also use the looks category.

 

Step 1. Setting up our scene!

Delete your cat sprite from the sprites pane.

Hint: right click on your sprite in the sprites pane!

Click the sprite button (above) in the sprites pane.

 

Add a sprite from the Walking theme.

Click the picture button (above) in the sprites pane to add a backdrop.

Hint: Use the track backdrop if you want to make your sprite race!

 

 

Drag your sprite to where you want it to be on your stage.

 

 

Step 2. Get your sprite moving and talking!

Add this script to your sprite:

Click on the looks category in the block palette.

Now add thesay Hello! for 2 secsblock.

Double click where it says “Hello!” so that we can write something inside this block!

 

 

Inside thesay block, type: “Look how fast I can run!”

 

This block will tell our sprite what to say for a specified amount of time. Here, it is set for 2 seconds:

 

 

Test your code. What happens?

  • How can we make our sprite go faster and further?

 

The number in themove 10 steps block says how far the sprite will move. The further it moves each time, the faster the sprite moves!

Therepeat 10 block is a loop.

It is like aforever block, but it will repeat as many times as we tell it to!

 

The number in therepeatblock is telling us how many times the sprite will move.

 

Our script is telling the sprite to move 10 steps 10 times.

  • How many steps do you think the sprite will take in total?

Hint: 10 x 10 = ?

 

Change the numbers in therepeat andmoveblocks. Use any numbers you like!

  • Can you make your sprite move slowly across the entire stage?

Step 3. Animating our sprite!

Add thenext costume block from the looks category.

 

This block tells your sprite to change to the next costume.Your sprite will change costume every time it moves to make it look like it is walking.

 

Click the costumes tab (above) above the script area.

You will see all of the costumes your sprite is changing between!

 

Test your code. What happens?

 

 

 

Step 4. Challenges!

You have animated your sprite to run across the screen!

We have learned how changing the numbers in our blocks can change how our sprite moves and looks.

Ready for some challenges?

  • Add another sprite to race with!

  • Change direction and walk back

  • Make your sprite follow the mouse pointer!

  • Only move the sprite when it is clicked

1.2 Intro to Scratch 3

Overview:

We are going to learn how to use the keyboard to move our sprite in different directions. We will learn about coordinates and how to move our sprite on the x and y axis. We will be using the same categories that we have covered previously: events, control and motion.

Step 1. Setting up our scene!

Delete your cat sprite from the sprites pane.

Hint: right click on your sprite in the sprites pane!

Click the sprite button (above) in the sprites pane.

Add any sprite from the Underwater theme.

Click the picture button (above) in the sprites pane and add any backdrop from the Underwater theme.

Step 2. Moving the sprite!

 

Add thewhen space key pressed block and change it to the up arrow.

Hint: click the down arrow next to the word space!

 

 

 

 

Add thechange y by 10block.

 

Test your code by pressing the up key. What happens?

  • How can we add the other directions?

 

Next add these three scripts:

 

The stage is made of x and y coordinates. The x axis runs horizontally (left and right), the y axis runs vertically (up and down)

 

Add this script to your sprite:

 

  • Where will the sprite go when the green flag is clicked?

 

Test your code by clicking the green flag. What happens?

 

Add therepeat 10 block to each of yourkey pressed scripts.

 

Hint: you should add 4 more blocks in total.

Your scripts should look like this:

 

Test your code by pressing the arrow keys. What happens?

  • Can you remember how to change the speed and the distance that the sprite moves?

 

Step 3. Challenges!

Well done, you have used the arrow keys on your keyboard to control your sprite!

Ready for some challenges?

  • Make your sprite draw a line when it moves

Hint: Look in the Pen category!

  • Make your sprite change costume when it moves

2.0 Conversation

Overview:

In this lesson we are going to make two sprites have a conversation. We will be using thesay _ for _ secsblock to make the sprites speak. We will be using thewait _ secsblock to coordinate their conversation.

Step 1. Setting up our scene

To start, choose two sprites and one backdrop.

Hint: 

Hint: You will find the above blocks in Events, Control, and Looks!

Step 2. Make your sprite walk across the stage

Using the blocks below, make your sprites move from the sides of the stage to the centre before they begin to talk!

Hint: Look at the numbers in the x and y coordinates. Can you figure out which blocks
are for your sprite on the right, and which are for your sprite on the left?

Step 3. Coordinating your sprites moving onto the stage

Can you now  figure out how to make the sprites move onto the stage one at a time, before they start their conversation?

Hint: Pay attention to your timing in thewait andglideblocks! You'll find these blocks in the Motion category. 

Step 4. Make your sprites dance when they have finished their conversation!

Rearrange the blocks below so that music begins to play and your sprites both start dancing when their conversation is over.

Hint: You will need to add this script in the correct place to both of your sprites.

Step 3. Challenges!

See what other things you can get your sprites to do! Here are some ideas if you get stuck:

  • Have your sprites exit the stage one at a time after they have finished their conversation

  • Broadcast a message which tells your backdrop to change when the sprites finish dancing

  • Instead of using thesay block to make your sprites speak, record your own voice and play it back with theplay sound block!

  • Make your characters spin or do an interesting action.

Hint : You will find the blocks you need in Sound, Control, and Motion.

Sshh...Cheat sheet below!

3.0 Drawing with Sprites

Overview:

Today we are going to make a drawing with sprites. We will be using the stamp block from the pen category. We will also be using a conditional statement to find out when one sprite collides with another.

Step 1. Setting up our scene

Delete the cat sprite from the sprites pane.

Hint:  right click on the sprite in the sprites pane!

Click on the icon below in the sprites pane. Add a sprite. 

Click the icon below again on in the sprites pane. Add a backdrop.

Hint: If you want to make your background a single colour click the paint brush icon. Use the paint bucket tool to colour the background.

 

Step 2. Move the sprite with the mouse pointer

Add this script to the sprite.

 

 

Step 3. Make your sprite stamp 

Add these blocks to the sprite.

Hint: You will find these blocks in the Pen category.

 

Step 4. Change the colour effect

Add this block to the sprite.

 

Step 5. Add a new sprite 

Click on the icon below in the sprites pane.

Add another sprite. This sprite will be the obstacle sprite. When it collides with the first sprite it will bounce.

 

Step 6. Make your sprite move

Add this script to make the new obstacle sprite move.

 

 7. Make your obstacle stamp

Add these blocks.

 

Step 8. Make the obstacle bounce off the first sprite

Add these blocks.

Hint: This makes the obstacle sprite turn around when it touches the first sprite!

 

Step 9. Going further

See what other things you can get your sprites to do! Here are some ideas if you are stuck:

  • Explore thechange effect by block in the looks category. See what cool effects you can make.

  • See if you can add a variable that controls how fast the sprites are moving when you press the up arrow!

  • Make more obstacle sprites by duplicating. Hint > Right click the sprite’s thumbnail to find the duplicate option.

4.0 Scratch Moon Landing

We are going to make Moon Landing animation! Our characters will emerge from a Spaceship and land on the moon.

 

Step 1. Setting up our scene

Delete your cat sprite from the sprites pane.

Hint: right click on your sprite in the sprites pane!

Click on the icon below in the sprites pane.

Add the Spaceship sprite.

Click the icon below again on in the sprites pane.

Add the Nano sprite.

Click on the landscape icon below in the sprites pane.

Add the Moon backdrop.

Hint: You will find this in the Space category.

 

Step 2. Move the Spaceship sprite

Add this script to the Spaceship sprite.

 

Step 3. Add a starting point for the Spaceship sprite

 

Step 4. Make Nano appear by the Spaceship

Add this script to the Nano sprite.

 

Step 5. Make Nano say something

Add this block to the Nano sprite.

Hint: Make the Nano sprite say something else!

 

Step 6. Make Nano glide

Add this block to the Nano sprite.

Hint: Make the Nano sprite glide to somewhere else!

 

Step 7. Make Nano big again

Add this block to the Nano sprite.

 

Step 8. Extension

Add some more sprites!
Can you animate the sprites to come out of the Spaceship one at a time?

Hint: How many seconds should they wait?

Make them land on the moon side by side.

Hint: What should the x and y coordinates be?

5.0 Dance Party

The next ten lessons you will be learning some more advanced games in scratch than you might have done before. In this lesson we will recap some of the useful elements of scratch and get some time to show off your knowledge to create a cool dance party!

Step 1: Start a new project

Let’s get making our dance party!

Start a new project and Rename your file and ‘Save’ it to your computer or blue{shift} USB!

We are going to be using our own sprites, so delete the default Sprite1.
Hint: right click

Choose a project backdrop from the scratch library.

Now lets get our first dance partner for the project!

Find a character in scratch and place it on the stage.

If we click onto Costumes we will see that the character should have many different moves –this is the Sprite DANCING!!!
If you don’t see this, try another character!

Lets take a look at a few pieces of code and build up a simple script to control our dancer!
Go to looks and pull out Next Costume!

Lets add a start button to our project so when you press the Green Flag the code begins!

Click on the Green Flag a few times, you should see your dancing sprite change costumes from one to the next!

Lets add some automation to our project!
Add a forever block and wait block to your code!

TEST + SAVE!
Now you should be able to click on your Green Flag just once and your sprite will change costumes all by itself!

 

Step 2: Experimenting with your code blocks!

Now lets try a few things using different code blocks!
First lets try the code on the right, add in the extra code blocks on to your script!

This block picks a random number within a specific range, test out a di erent range to see what happens!

This will make sure our sprite stays upright, click on the down arrow to see the options, try out the different options!

This will make our sprite jump off the stage walls, and come back, test you code with and without this code block to see for yourself!

Add more sprites to your project and duplicate your code over on to them! Drag your code block on to your new sprites!

Don’t forget to use sprites with more than one costume! 

TEST + SAVE!

 

Step 3: Adding sound!

Now lets add some sounds to the project!

Add a second code block to one of your sprites.
This will tell you program to start playing the selected audio track when the space key on your computer keyboard is clicked!

You can now add more audio tracks to your project, you could program your project to play a different instrument whenever a different key is pressed!
Try adding these code blocks into your project!

TEST + SAVE!!
You can also share your project on the
scratch site: scratch.mit.edu 

5.1 10 Block Dance Party Challenge

Create a dance party project using only these 10 blocks. Use them once, twice, or multiple times, but use each block at least once.

 

 

1.0 Introduction to Scratch Jr: Create an animation

In this lesson we will introduce you to Scratch Junior and create an animation.

 

Step 1. Move your sprite

Let’s make your cat sprite move across the screen using this move right arrow.
First you must start your script with the Start button.
You must start every script with the start button. Can you figure out how many steps it will take? Change the number below your arrow to change the amount of steps he will move.

Click the Start Flag button to see your script work

Now lets explore more of the move buttons.
You can make the sprite move forward, back, up, down, turn around to the left, turn about to the right, turn around and stop.
Try all the button to see them in action.

 

 

Step 2. Select or make your background

Select a background from the library.

Draw your own background. Select the paintbrush in the top right corner, then use the creative tools to digitally draw and colour in your background.
Remember you can also edit a background from the library using these tools as well.

 

 

Step 3. Select or make another sprite

Select a sprite from the library.

Draw your own sprite. Select the paintbrush in the top right corner, then use the creative tools to digitally draw and colour in your background.

Remember you can also edit a sprite from the library using these tools as well. Select the sprite from the library, then click the paintbrush tool to edit it.

Deleting a sprite. You might want to select the original cat sprite. To do this hold down on the Sprite until it starts hovering and a red X appears. Click the X to delete the sprite.
Also, remember you can add more characters too.

 

 

Step 4. Add your code to animate your scene

Move your character or characters to their starting points. Do do this hold down the character and move it to the position you want.

Now using the move buttons we explored at the beginning add movement to your characters on screen. Once you added your code finish with a stop button.

4.0 Scratch Jr: Basketball Animation

Overview:

Make a basketball animation!

Step 1. Choose a background

 

 

Step 2. Choose a character

 

 

Step 3. Move your characters to a starting position

 

 

Step 4. Program your conversation

 

 

Step 5. Program your conversation

3.0 Scratch Jr: Spooky forest

Make a spooky forest!

Step 1. Choose a background

 

Step 2. Delete the cat sprite

 

 

Step 3. Choose your sprites

 

 

Step 4. Choose your sprites

 

 

Step 5. Choose your sprites

 

 

Step 6. Write a Title and Change Color

 

 

Step 7. Write a Title and Change Colour

 

 

Step 8. Make programs

 

 

Step 9: Make Programs

 

 

Step 10. Make programs

1.0 Intro to Scratch 1

Overview:

In this lesson we are going to learn how to navigate the Scratch interface. We will find out what different parts of the interface do, including the block palette, script area, sprite pane and stage. We will look at the events, control and motion categories to give commands to our sprite.

Step 1. Opening Scratch

Scratch has four main parts:

1. Sprite Pane:

The sprites pane is where we select, edit and add sprites. Sprites are the characters in our games and animations.

2. Block Palette:

The block palette is where we find commands to give to our sprites. There are different block categories. Today we will be using the motion, events and control categories.

3. Script Area:

The script area is where we will drag and drop our blocks to build scripts. Scripts are blocks ‘snapped’ together to create a sequence of instructions.

4. Stage:

The stage is where we will see our sprites follow the instructions we have given in the script area!

Step 2. Let’s get moving!

Click the motion category in the block palette. 

Dragmove 10 stepsinto the script area.

  • What do you think this block does?

Click the events category in the block palette.

Add thewhen [flag] clickedblock. 

  • What event will the script check for?

  • What will the sprite do when this event happens?

 

Click the green flag to test your code. What happens?

  • How do you think we would make the sprite move forever?

 

Click the control category. Control blocks do as the title says - they control our scripts.

Add theforever block. The forever block is a kind of loop. Loops repeat the blocks inside of them.

Test your code. What happens?

 

 

  • In what category will we  find a command to make the sprite turn around when it touches the edge of the stage?

 

Add theif on edge, bounce block.

  • What do you think this block does?

 

Add theset rotation style left-right▼block. This block tells our sprite to rotate side to side when it hits the edge of the screen.

This block tells our sprite to rotate side to side when it hits the edge of the screen.

Step 3. Changing the backdrop and sprite

Click the picture button (above) on the sprite pane to add a backdrop.

Hint: You can add any picture you want!

 

Click the sprite button (above) in the sprites pane. Add a sprite from the Animals category.

 

Step 4. Challenges!

 

Well done! You have made your sprite move across the stage by dragging blocks from the block palette to the script area. You have also added a new backdrop and sprite from the sprite pane.

 

What next? See if you can complete these challenges:

  • Make your sprites move when the spacebar key is pressed.

  • Make your sprites move in different directions (not just side to side)

  • Make your sprites move at different speeds.

  • Make your sprites wait five seconds after the green flag is clicked before moving.