Game Dev Academy - coding club for learning to code and building games!

MAKE GAMES, LEARN TO CODE

Learn how to code with regular support from a STEM Certified mentor! With a Game Dev Academy subscription you’ll be assigned a mentor who will aid you in your coding journey by sending you text and video messages. You’ll also get access to the weekly featured games, Minecraft Mod Worlds, and our seasonal Game Jams.

Our focus is on learning practical, life-long coding skills in a fun and exciting way. We encourage creativity, independent coding, and problem solving so that our members can use their coding abilities in all aspects of life.

The Code Zone welcomes anyone who wants to super-charge their use of tech and stay ahead in an increasingly digital world, even if you don’t want to become an expert programmer.

Game Dev Academy is perfect for anyone interested in learning how to code in a fun, creative way with added support.

Coding Awards in the Academy

Working through projects in the Academy you will complete the Hacker award, and start the Modder award

You can also join the Game Dev Academy Starter and get access to level 1 for as little as £5 per month. Click here to find out more

Join The Academy
starting from just £5.00 per month

Find the right coding club for your child, from beginners to advanced

Read about our STEM Award Program, coding awards from beginner to advanced

Learn to Code, Have Fun!

Learn to code at your own pace with the support of a STEM Certified mentor! Suitable for all skill levels, start in beginner-friendly Scratch before moving onto more advanced programming languages like Python and Typescript. Academy members have the freedom to code at times that suit them with added mentor support over text and video message!

Our members rate us 'Excellent'!

4.95/5 from 79 reviews

My 10 yr old daughter has recently changed groups as she is quite shy and timid and her previous group were quite outgoing. The team were brilliant, very supportive and worked to find her the right group. She is now in a quieter group where the other children work together to support each other and she said the group leader is great! A happy mummy! 🥰

Rebecca

Fabulous, pleased we found them.

Anonymous

My son had his taster session last week. He was beaming! He loved every minute and can't wait to join again this week.

Samantha

My boys love the code zone. It's a very relaxed and safe space for my children to learn

Louise Colledge

My 10 year old son loves The Code Zone! He loves ‘the way you can be yourself around the instructors and you can ask for help at any time, and the instructors are always interested in what you’re doing’. I highly recommend it.

Nadine Wilson

Awesome place! Friendly staff and puzzles that make you think! The ambiance and decorations completed the vibe.

Anonymous

My son is loving it

Joe

My son recently had a taster session with the code zone. They were very helpful and their communication before and after the session was fantastic. We are looking for a local coding class which is face to face, which The Code Zone don’t offer at the moment, but fingers crossed this is something they can accommodate in future!

Fiona

My 10 year old son loves the Coding Club

Anonymous

I wouldn’t recommend this more. The support is outstanding! My son finally feels accepted, which is something money can’t buy !

LAURA

Really enjoyable club my 7 year old loves it

Anonymous

My son loves attending his weekly coding club. There is a variety of activities for him to immerse in and he often has projects on the go that he works on each week. The teachers are so welcoming and kind. Can't recommend coding club enough.

Sophie D

Our 7 years old son found the lesson very engaging and fun! Highly recommended!

Olha

The Code Zone is an outstanding and well managed club. My daughter has been going for a couple of years now and absolutely loves it. They maintain their interest by constantly challenging them with new games and programmes and the staff are friendly and approachable. They also keep parents informed and remind them when new terms are starting along with holiday activities. Definitely deserve their 5 🌟 .

Lesley Brown

My son 10 really enjoys his sessions with The Code Zone. They team have been really accommodating as well as helpful and friendly.

Nicola

My 7 year old daughter really gets loads out of her lessons and finds them fun and engaging. She particularly likes her teacher, who is responsive and encouraging. Thank you!

Anonymous

I have 2 children who attend The Code Zone online classes. Both of my children are neurodiverse. Firstly, their customer services is great. They are very patient and signing up was easy. There were no sales calls which was great because a lot of the other companies that sell coding classes seem to bombard you with calls. The teachers are amazing and very patient. My son (7 years) actually plays the games that they learn to code. Lauren especially has been AMAZING with my son. My daughter is 13 and I was nervous as to whether she would enjoy it or not. She LOVES the classes and has learned so much. I was really apprehensive about whether my children’s needs could be met but Code Zone has exceeded by expectations. The price is very reasonable, the teaching is good and I would highly recommend The Code Zone.

Celestine

My son absolutely loves it, he’ so excited to show us what he has coded. Hours of fun whilst learning valuable skills.

Kevin

My daughter had a taster session this week and really enjoyed it so we have signed her up :)

Michala

My son enjoys going to club. He said what he likes when can creative own games and on Minecraft there is some cool codes.

Anonymous

FAQ

What equipment will young people need?

A decent internet connection, a laptop/desktop computer and access to a browser like Chrome to use The Code Zone Online platform. We're currently working on better supporting mobile and tablet devices, so for now you need a device that has a screen width of 12.9" or larger.

My child is a coding whizz - will they get bored?

No, they won't get bored. We encourage more advanced coders to 'hack' our challenges. We want them to create something new that matters to them and stretches their creativity and coding abilities.

My child is new to coding can they still join in?

Yes, our challenges are designed to be scalable for all skill levels and abilities. If your child is new to coding - they can complete our 'Skill of Scratch' mini-series course before tackling the main challenges. Each challenge starts with a video intro from a Zone Leader to set the scene, and challenge cards also give more support.

The Code Zone Online platform also has tutorials and mini-series guides and help blocks with tips to help users if they get stuck. And for Online + Community customers have live Zone Leader support on hand for a more personal tutorial style of session

How do Academy members receive support?

Members of Game Dev Academy are assigned a mentor who will send regular video messages throughout the week explaining how to play the weekly game, providing explanations about how the code works, and showing off the cool games that members have been working on.
Members can ask questions through our chat box and their mentor will respond by sending messages, helpful images, and personalised video messages.
Game Dev Academy members receive priority support, while Game Dev Academy Starter can expect responses within 24 hours (not including weekends). .

What's the difference between Academy and Academy Starter?

Game Dev Academy Starter is £5 per month and provides access to limited mentor support and our level 1 coding instructions (which we call “Guided Hacks”). Limited support means that responses from your mentor can take up to 24 hours. Academy Starter members also gain access to Minecraft Mod Worlds.
Game Dev Academy is £25 per month and provides access to priority mentor support, the ability to move up through all of the levels included in our “Hacker” award, and begin working towards our “Modder” award. Priority support means that Academy members can expect quicker responses and personalised video messages to answer their coding questions. Academy members also gain access to Minecraft Mod Worlds.