History

We began in 2013 as a peer-led study group that met at the British Library. In 2014, we ran our first training course at Camden Collective and became a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2015.

Between 2016 and 2019, we collaborated with the British Embassy in Israel to create a programme in Nazareth and with Mercy Corps to establish programmes in Gaza and the West Bank.

In 2018, we relocated to Space4 in Finsbury Park and, in 2021, we transitioned to offering a Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship training and ran our first DfE-funded Skills Bootcamps.

Values

We believe in peer-led learning, collaboration and supporting each other. We strive to make technology accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.

We have a strong commitment to inclusion and community, demonstrated through our organisational values:

Tech for all: Embracing diversity, promoting equality and fostering a sense of belonging for all individuals.

Empowerment: Encouraging and enabling individuals to take ownership, make decisions, and reach their full potential.

Community fuelled: Learning together through a culture of support, collaboration and compassion.

Innovative: Embracing curiosity, bravery and adaptability to drive positive change.

Integrity: We stay true to our values by acting in line with who we are, being open and aware as we grow.

Our commitment to these values is reflected by the overwhelmingly positive feedback received by employees and learners via Glassdoor reviews with an average rating of 4.8 stars.

Method

To ensure we can embed our values, we ensure that at the heart of our method is:

1. Peer-led. Once a learner has mastered the fundamentals of programming, only then are they ready to join a cohort of other learners on our Software Foundation (the Skills Bootcamp), working on group-based projects, exploring just beyond their current level of understanding, and learning through conversations with peers, supported by an experienced mentor.
   1. Mastery-based. Before meaningful group-based learning can take place, learners interested in training with us must first complete a portfolio of work, at their own pace, supported by us through meetups, workshops and support circles. They then must master programming principles through an online learning platform.
2. Life-long. Once learners are accepted onto a Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship and have completed an initial period of intense learning, we support them on a weekly basis to keep learning with peers, through side projects, reading groups and other activities that help to foster a life-long habit of learning.