Advanced Coding

What your school gets

Everything a teacher needs to teach Advanced Coding this year.

In class

10 lessons, ready to teach Each one planned step by step, taught from the board with the same lesson open on each student's device.
Quizzes and assessments A short quiz with every lesson.
Progress and resultsWhat each student has completed, and how they did.
CertificatesFor portfolios, open days and reports home.
Try the first lesson: Your First Python Program

On paper

Teacher Resource BookThe whole course laid out for the teacher, lesson by lesson, ready to print.
The sample lesson's pages

The whole books come with the course, in each class's Resources.

The curriculum it covers

Every lesson is mapped to the specification. This course teaches 8 of the 42 outcomes for this class.

NCCA Transition Year Programme Statement (2025)

Personal Growth 2 of 11 outcomes

Being a Learner 5 of 12 outcomes

Civic and Community Engagement 1 of 11 outcomes

Career Exploration 0 of 8 outcomes

See every outcome

Curriculum Area

Outcomes

Personal Growth

P.1 P.2 P.3 P.4 P.5 P.6 P.7 P.8 P.9 P.10 P.11

Being a Learner

B.1 B.2 B.3 B.4 B.5 B.6 B.7 B.8 B.9 B.10 B.11 B.12

Civic and Community Engagement

C.1 C.2 C.3 C.4 C.5 C.6 C.7 C.8 C.9 C.10 C.11

Career Exploration

CE.1 CE.2 CE.3 CE.4 CE.5 CE.6 CE.7 CE.8

Tap any outcome to read it. The coloured ones are taught in this course. The curriculum does not include official reference codes for individual learning outcomes, so we have assigned a code scheme to make it easier to identify and track coverage.

The course, module by module

10 lessons in 3 modules. The lesson marked Sample opens in full.

1 Python from the Start 5 lessons · about 3 hours

1 Your First Python Program Sample lesson Quiz
2 Variables, Input and Output in Python Quiz
3 Conditionals and Loops in Python Quiz
4 Functions in Python Quiz
5 Lists and Working with Data in Python Quiz

2 Code That Reaches the Real World 2 lessons · about 1 hour

6 Sensing with a Micro:bit Quiz
7 Connecting Two Micro:bits with Radio Quiz

3 Build Something in Python 3 lessons · about 2 hours

8 Studio: Rock, Paper, Scissors in Python Quiz
9 Studio: Reaction Time Tester in Python Quiz
10 Python Challenge Build Quiz

What students learn

This module provides an introduction to Python programming, starting with basic syntax and the Microbit Python editor. Teachers should guide students through setting up their first project, creating a simple program, and introducing code sequence. The module progresses to cover variables, loops, conditional statements, operators, arrays, and functions. Each module includes a practical project to reinforce learning. The module culminates in a final project where students apply their skills to create a unique MicroPython project. Teachers should encourage experimentation and provide regular feedback.

By the end of the course, students can

Understand and apply basic Python syntax and use the Micro:bit Python editor to create simple programs.
Declare, assign, and manipulate variables in Python, culminating in the creation of a higher or lower game.
Understand and implement different types of loops in Python, including while loops, for loops, and nested loops, and apply these in a reaction time game.
Use conditional statements in Python to make decisions in code and apply these concepts in a Dice Roller project.
Understand and use comparison operators, logical operators, and conditional Booleans in Python, and apply these in a Temperature Indicator project.
Work with arrays in Python, including creating, manipulating, and retrieving elements from a list, and apply these skills in an LED light pattern project.
Perform advanced operations with arrays in Python, including sorting, finding the length of a list, and counting occurrences, and apply these in a strong password generator project.
Understand the differences between procedures and functions in Python and apply this knowledge in a weather station project.
Understand the distinctions between local and global variables, understand variable scope, and apply these concepts in a Micro:bit temperature logger project.
Conceptualize, plan, and build a unique project using Python and the Micro:bit, applying all the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the course.

Build a full TY year around Advanced Coding

This module is one of 10 Transition Year modules you can combine into a complete Year-Long TY Digital Skills Programme, shaped around your timetable and the students in front of you.

Run the same pathway for every student, or set different pathways for different groups. Students also get access to the modules they're not doing in class, which is ideal for the keen ones who finish early or want to explore further on their own time.

Prefer a deeper tech focus? Swap in Advanced Coding or Robotics and Automation. Each module is 10 to 16 lessons of 40-60 minutes, leaving room for school events, mid-terms and everything else TY throws at you.

Why TY coordinators choose it

One decision, a year's content

No more stitching resources together every term.

Flexible per class, per student

Run different pathways side by side.

Certificates after each module

Great for TY portfolios, open days and reports home.

Sets students up for Senior Cycle

Broad exposure so they choose subjects with confidence.

Sample Year Plan

ICT + Coding focus

Computer Skills
Gets everyone on a level footing
Introduction to Coding
Real, working projects from week one
Exploring Digital Media
Video, design and storytelling
Exploring Artificial Intelligence
The topic your students keep asking about
Enterprise and Business Basics
A pitch-and-launch project to close out the year