Coding Club inspires next generation of coders

A new University of Essex Coding Club is giving local school pupils the chance to develop hands on programming skills while working closely with Essex student mentors.

Running throughout the spring term, the free to participate after school club supports Year 7-11 students at St Helena School to explore coding, robotics and learn problem solving skills through eight practical sessions led by trained University of Essex student volunteers.

The project is designed to help young people build confidence in computing and see higher education progression as an achievable next step in their future. St Helena School, a key partner for the University's Outreach team, was selected to ensure the programme reaches students who may face barriers to progressing into university, whether socio-economic, geographic or academic. This participant targeting allows us to maximise our positive impact on students who would likely not have access to this opportunity without our support. The initiative is delivered in partnership with the Outreach Team, Students’ Union's vTeam Volunteering programme, and the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering — and is generously supported by iGaming, whose sponsorship is helping to widen access to STEM opportunities in the local community.

Essex student volunteers say the impact is already clear. Joshua Mullett, volunteer and project leader, said: “Every student should have the opportunity to build confidence with technology and see it as something they can shape, not just use. Even after one session, you can see them thinking like engineers - testing ideas, solving problems, and learning from mistakes.”

Alongside the financial support from iGaming, University of Essex student volunteers are key to making this project possible by offering their expertise and time, and acting as aspirational role models for local students. Coding Club also offers valuable experience for the University’s volunteers, who develop teaching, communication and teamwork skills that support their own career readiness.

Zivha, one of the Essex student volunteers, said: “I volunteer with Coding Club because it’s a great initiative that lets me combine my computer science skills with giving back to children in the community in a meaningful way. In our weekly sessions, we introduce students to core concepts in coding, particularly Python using micro:bit, through structured lessons and hands-on activities where they can try out concepts for themselves with our support.

"This helps them explore skills like programming and robotics in a fun, engaging, and practical way. It’s great to see them build confidence, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of how technology really works behind the scenes from a young age. Projects like this are so important because they help students keep up with technology while giving them resources and insight into what’s actually happening behind the screens and systems they use every day.”

The University of Essex extends its thanks to iGaming for making this project possible and helping to inspire the next generation of digital creators.