Choose your course
depending on your Child’s Age
Coding education is one of the most valuable skills you can give a child. From early school years through the teenage years, learning to code builds problem-solving, creativity, and confidence while preparing children for an increasingly digital future. Studies show that even a small amount of coding practice can significantly boost executive function (planning, focus, and resilience) and working memory in young learners.
Software Academy is the UK’s only NCFE‐approved coding academy for 6–16-year-olds, founded by university educators in London. Our structured, age‐tailored courses are taught by expert tutors. We cover a range of projects, from game design to animation, so every child learns by doing.
See below to find the perfect coding programme for your child’s age and link to each course page for full details.
6-Year-Olds?
Children at age six are naturally curious and love to play. Our Coding for 6-Year-Olds courses use fun games and simple Scratch projects to spark creativity and logical thinking. At this stage, children learn basic sequencing and problem-solving skills in a playful manner, creating their first animated stories or simple games.
Early coding lessons help six-year-olds build confidence as they see their own ideas come to life on screen. Even brief coding activities can strengthen young learners’ focus and resilience. By starting now, you give your child a strong foundation in computational thinking and a head start in digital skills.
7-Year-Olds
Seven is a great age to make coding both fun and enriching. Our Coding for 7-Year-Olds classes blend storytelling, animation, and simple game design to introduce programming. At this age, children are bursting with imagination. They can already grasp basic abstract ideas like sequences and loops.
By working through playful projects, such as designing their first animation or fixing a game bug, seven-year-olds sharpen logical thinking, patience, and persistence. They also build confidence in technology as they master each new coding challenge.
These courses are taught by friendly, expert instructors who tailor activities to your child’s level, making learning feel like play.
8-Year-Olds?
Eight-year-olds are ready for more hands-on fun in coding. Our Coding for 8-Year-Olds courses are 100% online, interactive, and designed to boost creativity and problem-solving. By age eight, children are more independent and excited to tackle new challenges.
Our classes use Scratch-based projects to develop computational thinking. For example, kids build animations or simple games that teach them about loops, variables, and cause/effect while having fun. These activities strengthen focus and attention to detail. Every success, like making a game work, builds confidence.
We let eight-year-olds learn core coding concepts through play. We help them think like coders and grow more logical and creative with each project.
9-Year-Olds?
Nine is the perfect age to turn curiosity into coding skills. Our Coding for 9-Year-Olds courses channel children’s natural imagination into structured learning.
At nine, kids can handle more purposeful projects. They learn fundamental programming ideas while building games and interactive stories.
Early exposure to coding helps sharpen problem-solving and critical thinking. Plus, screen time becomes more productive. Instead of just playing games, nine-year-olds learn how games work and start making their own.
Software Academy’s classes are paced so every child progresses at a comfortable rate. All instructors ensure each student proudly shares a finished project, boosting self-esteem along the way.
10-Year-Olds?
Ten-year-olds can grasp surprisingly advanced concepts when coding is made engaging. In Coding for 10-Year-Olds, we introduce block-based coding and begin exploring text-based ideas, all through creative projects. At this age, your child can develop sharper logical reasoning and break down problems into smaller steps.
Our curriculum lets them design interactive games or animations – a fun way to express ideas with code. We also prepare them for new technologies by covering the basics that lead naturally into areas like robotics or AI. For example, children use Scratch to make a game and then start seeing how those skills map to languages like Python.
Overall, coding at ten builds a solid foundation. Kids learn key programming constructs while having fun. They also get a sneak peek at real syntax to stay ahead in technology.
11-Year-Olds
By eleven, children are ready for more sophisticated challenges. Our Coding for 11-Year-Olds courses use age-appropriate projects that bridge block-based and text-based coding.
Eleven-year-olds can already understand concepts like loops and variables, so we let them start “building” rather than just dragging blocks. In our classes, kids do hands-on work. They can animate characters or design their first video game, gradually learning real programming logic.
We introduce them to languages like Python, Lua or JavaScript in a fun, creative way. The focus is on real-world skills, all under the guidance of expert tutors. The result is that 11-year-olds gain confidence as they see their own code running and share their creations with friends.
12-Year-Olds
At twelve, kids take coding to the next level with project-based learning. Our Coding for 12-Year-Olds programmes let students solve real problems through coding.
Children explore a mix of languages (from Scratch to Python) by making games, websites, apps and animations.
Every lesson is hands-on. For example, a 12-year-old might build a simple website or create a game with Python. These projects develop logical reasoning and computational thinking, while also encouraging creativity. Importantly, they see that coding can create something useful.
Software Academy’s guided courses mean each concept is learned through doing. By the end, 12-year-olds build a portfolio of work. They’ll also gain confidence that they can tackle bigger challenges.
13-Year-Olds
Thirteen is an exciting age when young teens dive into real computer science. Our Coding for 13-Year-Olds classes introduce advanced topics in a supportive way.
Kids this age are very curious and ready to tackle subjects like game design, web apps or even machine learning. For example, students can create interactive mobile apps or 3D games. They’ll learn about object-oriented programming – all through fun projects.
Each coding project at 13 focuses on problem-solving and logical thinking. Research shows that transforming ideas into real code at this stage deepens computational skills and self-belief.
Software Academy’s courses give teens the tools and mentorship they need. They leave each lesson with a working creation and stronger technical know-how, fully prepared for GCSE Computer Science and beyond.
14-Year-Olds
Fourteen-year-olds often transition smoothly into text-based coding, and our Coding for 14-Year-Olds courses are built for that leap. Teens move from drag-and-drop to real syntax. They learn Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS through projects such as quizzes, games, and basic web applications.
Learning to code at 14 builds “future-ready” skills. For example, mastering Python at this age gives confidence for GCSE Computer Science and A-levels. Students also sharpen creative problem-solving. They can make their own games or try out simple AI tasks that nurture computational thinking and persistence. Each module is project-based (e.g. coding a calculator or designing a simple app), so learning stays engaging.
By 14, teens have a solid foundation in coding and a portfolio of projects. This gives them a unique advantage for school and beyond.
15-Year-Olds
At fifteen, teens can work almost like junior developers. Our Coding for 15-Year-Olds pathway helps them move from guided lessons to independent programming. Using Python and JavaScript, students build larger projects – games, apps or data dashboards – that they can show off to schools or even future employers.
By this age, coding classes also help with GCSE and A-level preparation. A structured coding course boosts skills in web development, data basics or machine learning fundamentals. It helps turn casual interest into measurable technical ability.
We ensure each teen gets mentorship. Experienced tutors introduce industry practices (like planning, testing and debugging) while students develop teamwork and communication skills too.
Coding at 15 lays the groundwork for university-level study. Students complete projects with real-world applications and the confidence to pursue tech on any level.
16-Year-Olds
By sixteen, young people are ready to specialise and polish their skills. Software Academy’s Coding for 16-Year-Olds focus on advanced tracks like AI & Machine Learning, 3D Game Design or app development.
At this stage, students can tackle real programming challenges. For example, designing neural networks or building mobile-friendly prototypes. These courses often count toward NCFE qualifications, which means students earn recognised credits while learning.
Sixteen-year-olds gain the skills to stand out in university applications or apprenticeships. In our classes, students work on portfolio projects (ranging from complex games to coding competitions) that demonstrate their coding prowess.
The curriculum for older teens focuses on solidifying knowledge and applying it to real-world problems. We ensure that each student is well-prepared for higher education or a tech career.
Choose the right coding course for your kids ages 6–16. At Software Academy, we deliver age-tailored lessons, clubs and private tuition.
