Two clubs, two worlds: How Fiona and Bob adapt Code Club for the library and the classroom

Fiona Lindsay, a primary school teacher in Aberdeenshire, and Bob Bilsland, a seasoned software engineer in Malvern, both run successful Code Clubs. But while their shared goal is to inspire young coders, they run in two different environments: a library and a school.

Both clubs are part of our new Star Club programme — outstanding, welcoming Code Clubs that serve as examples and visit locations for potential new leaders interested in starting their own club.

In a recent online community call, Fiona and Bob shared how their different settings shape their approach to running a Code Club. 

The audience: Predictable vs. unpredictable

Fiona’s school-based Code Club benefits from a structured, consistent audience since the creators are all students from her school.

“We have 28 creators this term, the most we’ve ever had! Priority goes to P7 (10- to 12-year-olds) as it’s their last year of primary school. Before summer, we put up posters to advertise a “codealong session” and experience what a Code Club session is like and they had the opportunity to complete a short project. This gave them an insight into what typically happens at our coding club and they then can make a decision if it’s for them. 99% of the time they want to return!”

Having this consistent group of creators who attend weekly, allows for a steady, project-based learning journey where each session builds on the last. Fiona says: “It’s a bit like a classroom, but with a focus on fun!”

In contrast, Bob’s library Code Club runs monthly and has a much more varied and unpredictable attendance. He sees a mix of enthusiastic regulars turning up every month, young people who come on and off, and has seen an increase in home-educated young people attending Code Club to build their coding knowledge.

“You can’t always guarantee who is going to attend your Code Club each month. This is probably one of the biggest differences from a school Code Club. Who turns up and their level of experience with code — they could be complete novices or have a lot of experience. You have to be quite flexible and reactive”.

Bob’s approach is adaptable and focuses on providing a range of activities that can appeal to different interests and abilities in any given session.

Session logistics: Weekly vs. monthly

Another difference is session frequency. Fiona’s school club meets weekly, which is great for maintaining momentum and keeping the projects fresh in the creators’ minds. The regular schedule helps build a strong routine and allows students to progress through projects like the Introduction to Scratch projects with ease.

Bob’s Code Club runs monthly, so he relies on strong communication to keep members engaged, informed, and ready to return. The standalone projects help him match activities to each creator’s skills and interests, while the Code Club platform makes it easy to manage sessions, stay connected, and maintain momentum.

The role of parents: Hands-off vs. hands-on

This is perhaps the most significant difference between the two environments. In Fiona’s school club, parents are generally not present during the sessions. The school environment provides a controlled setting where teachers, volunteers, and youth mentors are the primary facilitators.

In Bob’s library club, it’s a different story. Code Clubs run in libraries require parents or guardians to remain in the building for the Code Club. Bob says this is a positive:

“We often see parents/guardians sitting with their children, convinced they know nothing about coding; it can be a fear thing! However, when I see that rapport between a parent/guardian and child growing as they learn together, it’s a really supportive and positive moment to witness.”

The takeaway: Finding the right fit

Both Fiona and Bob agree that Code Clubs can thrive in any setting. Fiona’s success highlights the benefits of a structured, school-based model that allows for consistent progression and peer mentorship among young people. Bob’s experience showcases the power of flexibility and community in a library setting, where the focus is on catering to diverse interests and getting parents involved in the learning process.

There’s no single “right” way to run a Code Club. Whether you’re a teacher looking to start a club in your school or a volunteer aiming to launch one in a local library or another setting, the Code Club platform provides all the resources you need to get started. 

As Fiona says: The most important thing is to be “solution-focused”, and adapt to the needs of your community.

Inspired by Code Club mentors Bob and Fiona? Join the movement, and run a Code Club in your community!