Getting girls into computer coding
A major Horsham firm has teamed up with a local school to help girls learn to be computer coders.
Data scientist Amanda Beedham, who works for the RSA Insurance Group at its headquarters in Horsham, launched the initiative with Horsham’s Millais School in a bid to get more girls interested in a male-dominated subject.
And it has worked. The Code Club project is growing in popularity.
It all started when Amanda and some colleagues approached Millais subject lead of digital technologies Rebecca Hunt who was running an after school coding club and volunteered to help out. “We had some ideas on how to make it fun,” said Amanda. “We all use apps, websites, or digital games – and we wouldn’t be able to use any of them without an army of coders in the background.
“While there are loads of boys in our schools excited by what a future in coding could
look like, there are still a really small number of girls who are interested in one of the fastest growing and highest paying career paths out there.”
And, she added: “The fundamental point is that AI is expanding at a tremendous rate of knots, and technology
as a whole. More and more jobs are becoming automated and therefore, if you want a job of the future, being able to code gives you a huge advantage.”
The RSA itself, one of Horsham’s biggest employers, uses coding to help it price effectively.
“I have always worked in data and have made a career in using data and mathematics to predict how likely things are to happen in the future,” said Amanda.
One of the first project the girls at Millais undertook was to use the programming language Python to code a series of LED lights.
“We were trying to show how coding is also a creative outlet, and the girls particularly enjoyed experimenting with different colours and patterns,” said Amanda.
The girls have now moved on to creating websites. “It’s really important to me that the employee pipeline of the future is as diverse as possible, as diversity brings a wider range of ideas and perspectives.
“So by role-modelling and showing that coding can be fun and a great creative outlet, I’m really confident that for the girls at Millais School at least we can break the stereotype that this is a boys’ club.”
Millais’ subject lead of digital technologies Rebecca Hunt said: “I have been running code club for the last few years at Millais school. I was delighted to have RSA come on board with us.
“The ladies have been amazing and have been able to give our girls a real insight into jobs that are available in the real world that use coding.”
Pictured is Rebecca Hunt with Amanda Beedham and Alex Tindall, an ex Millais pupil, who helped Amanda launch the initiative.
Also now helping Amanda are RSA colleague Phyllis Wong, maths graduate Holly Bown and RSA’s chief data scientist Nigel Carpenter.
Once lockdown restrictions are lifted, scores of residents will be heading out and visitors will be flocking to favourite sites and attractions.
Take a look at the pick of places to go – some are free to enter – across the county.
There are castles, piers, parks and gardens to chose from.
Included in this guide are West Dean Gardens, Chichester, Bognor Pier, Hiorns Tower in Arundel Park and National Trust properties
Standen House and Garden and Nymans. Take the pilot’s seat at the Spitfire Experience in Wisborough Green or sample life through the ages at the Weald and Downland
Museum at Chichester.
The spotlight is on Roman Life at Fishbourne Palace or you can roam Petworth House and Park. Arundel Castle is also worth a visit.
Sussex has of vineyards sparkling wine.
The county and those surrounding it are dominated by limestone chalk soils which is similar to that found in the region of Champagne, France.
Vineyards include Bluebell Vineyard near Uckfield and Bolney vineyard, Black Dog Hill Vineyard near Ditchling, Tinwood near Chichester, Albourne Estate near Hassocks, Nyetimber at West Chiltington, and Wiston in Steyning . a number producing
Many of the vineyards in Sussex produce sparkling wines using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varieties.
A number of the wines produced in Sussex has also won international awards , so while you are supporting local you are also championing English produce that is on par with its French counterparts.