Computing lessons this week got year 5 pupils working collaboratively to break codes. They explored what differented coding systems have been used in both the past and present. This included, Morse Code and Semaphore. Pupils thought-showered the different ways that people may have communicated over long distances, before the newer forms of communication were introduced. Pupils mentioned telegrams, letters and the acoustic string telephone.

During the lesson, pupils discussed why people may have had to ‘encrypt’ messages. Many children mentioned the use of communication during the war and having to get messages to others across enemy lines, without this being intercepted by their enemies- it was a matter of life or death. Pupils had the opportunity to practise using the Semaphore coding before applying what they had learnt in order to crack the code. They showed great focus and perseverance.