Enable 50 South London boys to learn programming

In SYLA’s coding club, as we mark the close of another academic year, we’ve no shortage of cause for celebration when we reflect. The past academic year has seen the coding club grow in so many ways. Not just growth of attendees, (although we must say we’re pleased to have nearly doubled the membership since the club’s inception!). Beyond this, there’s been a sharp and authentic growth of interest for coding; and its many guises. Perhaps most crucially still, though, we’ve seen a growth of confidence and competence across our young coders towards an area that for most a year ago, was alien and of limited use.

A year later, SYLA’s young coders have been tickled by Scratch software, and got the last laugh through creating their own games on the platform. They’ve charmed the coding of Python, learning algorithms that led to them creating random generators that predict future dates and even generate compliments. They’ve even impressively consolidated their knowledge to participate in global coding platforms, where they compete with coders of their own age and experience. All in all then, it’s been a year of progress for SYLA’s coders, and on their behalf we thank you for your enduring support in making the foregoing possible, and the likelihood of numerous future successes, greatly enhanced.

As you’ll have noted in the last update, we’ve presented the youngsters the chance to learn about key figures who have influenced coding such as Microsoft’s Bill Gates, and Tim Berners-Lee, mastermind behind the internet. This exploration would ultimately serve as a primer to the module that we have begun the past few months: HTML. Of course they all use it daily; why then should they not gain an insight into the language of the internet? Truly, HTML has been challenging the YLs’ ability to use the correct syntax in order to satisfy on-screen commands. As with the previous modules, HTML has helped the young coders address problem solving skills, which – after much persistence - they would eventually triumph in to make basic webpages of their own!

The ‘wow!’, and ‘cool’ responses never grow old, and we’re keen to keep the elation going as we enter into another year, and continue to receive great interest in the club. Once again, your generosity is making such confidence possible, so thank you again for your support. Do keep abreast of our club and wider charity at www.syla.org.uk; and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Finally, are you (or is someone you know) willing and able to push the club even further? For the best possible start to next year, we're keen for coding volunteers for a couple of hours a week; or even one-time speakers. Please do get in touch on info@syla.org.uk, or call us on 0207-701-9055, and we'll speak further.

Thank you once more, 

Southside Young Leaders’ Academy