Monday 14 July 2014

Stephen Metcalfe MP welcomes Eversley Primary School to live coding event at the Houses of Parliament


Stephen Metcalfe, local Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock MP was taught computer coding skills by pupils from  Eversley Primary School, Basildon this week, when they attended the Girls Get Coding event at the Houses of Parliament.

The event, organised by PICTFOR, the Parliamentary Internet, Communications and Technology Forum in conjunction with e-skills UK, brought more than a hundred girls from around the country to the historic surroundings of the Palace of Westminster. The girls had been practising their coding skills, ready to teach their MPs the basics of this vital skill. Three students were selected to take part, and enjoyed showing Stephen and other parliamentarians how to get ahead in programming.

“I loved learning to code with Eversley” , said Stephen Metcalfe. “They were full of enthusiasm and made excellent teachers. I know how important it is that all school students learn computer programming, and it was a great opportunity for me to brush up my own skills. It’s particularly important to encourage girls to make the most of technology, so I was delighted to support Girls Get Coding and meet the students.” 

Girls Get Coding is generously supported by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and forms part of the government's Your Life campaign to encourage more young people, and girls in particular, to consider careers in science and technology.