Richard Pryke graduated with a first-class honours degree in Computer Science from the University of Essex in 2019, before completing a PGCE in Computing at the UCL Institute of Education.

He went on to spend nearly half a decade teaching Computer Science full time at Colchester Royal Grammar School, named East Anglia’s State Secondary School of the Decade, where he also served as a boarding parent and as the Teaching and Learning Champion for the subject.

Richard now leads the Computer Science department at Notley High School, where he is overseeing the implementation of a new and ambitious curriculum. His leadership spans the strategic development and support of Computer Science across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

Throughout his career, Richard has taken on a wide range of responsibilities. He led the design of a comprehensive support programme across all key stages, which contributed to a marked improvement in student outcomes, most notably a significant increase in GCSE uptake and a substantial rise in A level enrolment.

He has also championed enrichment through bespoke extracurricular opportunities, including Mechatronics and Robotics clubs. Most recently, two student teams successfully completed the European Space Agency’s Astro Pi Challenge, with their code running on the International Space Station. Richard is passionate about the development of Computer Science education at all levels.

He has mentored both experienced teachers retraining in the subject and trainees from a variety of backgrounds. He remains committed to his expertise and enthusiasm to support the next generation of Computer Science educators.