Curriculum Vitae
My CV is designed to be printed.
Awards
Watt Club Prize
January 2016
The highest award given to any undergraduate at Heriot-Watt University
Andrew Stewart Prize for 4th Year Computer Science
December 2015
An award given to the most deserving student in a 4th year Computer Science programme
Andrew Stewart Prize for 2nd Year Computer Science
January 2014
An award given to the most deserving student in a 2nd year Computer Science programme
Merit Award for First Year at Heriot-Watt University (average grade of 70%+)
January 2013
An award given students with a 70% or above average in a 1st year Computer Science programme
Merit Award for Computer Science at LEAPS Summer School
January 2009
- Merit Award received in Computer Science course
- One of two awards given for the best project in the class of 20+
- Received for programming section and team leadership
Education
Strathclyde University - PGDE
September 2018 to May 2019
Research Project Focus: "Improving education through Digital Means"
Heriot-Watt University - Bachelor of Science (BSc) [Computer Science]
September 2012 to May 2016
Dissertation Focus: "ClickIt: A web-based application to aid the learning of web development in an educational environment"
Final Award: BSc with Honours of the First Class
LEAPS Summer School - Computer Science and Physics & Engineering
June 2009 to August 2009
Passes for both the Computer Science and the Physics and Engineering courses.
Ross High School, Tranent
August 2003 to May 2009
Achieved:
- 4× Highers (BBBC)
- 1× Advanced Higher (C)
Whilst at Ross High School I also did in-class support, I taught lessons to S1 Computing pupils, I was the Technical Manager in our Young Enterprise group and did paired reading
Mr Jamie Balfour
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching Experience
Fully Qualified Teacher (FQT) at Knox Academy
August 2022 onwards
- Taught Computing
- Started and led the Digital Literacy for Staff course to improve staff digital skills
- Managed the Positive Behaviour Praise Card and the Hot Chocolate Friday systems
- Developed digital tools:
- Interactive slideshow engine
- Embedded online polling platform
- Online tracking and monitoring system
- Extended DragonDocs Engine for interactive worksheets
- Developed the school's internal reporting system, a data extractor and a positive praise system using C#
Fully Qualified Teacher (FQT) at Newbattle High School
August 2020 to June 2022
- Taught Computing and Digital Literacy
- School named Scotland's First Centre for Digital Excellence
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Developed digital tools:
- Slideshow engine with engaging features
- Interactive worksheets for pupils
- Lead the school's digital programme as the Digital Leader in the school
- Setup the Digital Champions programme to empower young people
Tutor
October 2019 onwards
- Developed own Tutoring Portal in 2019
- Continued tutoring remotely and in person
- My Portal was vital during COVID years and continued as valuable resource post-COVID
Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) at Musselburgh Grammar School
August 2019 to June 2020
- Taught Computing and Digital Literacy
- Became newly qualified teacher in August 2019 after PGDE
- Successfully completed 'Scotland's Mental Health First Aid' course (SMHFA)
- Developed a prototype online reporting system
Classroom Assistant at Ross High School
October 2015 to April 2016
- Course at Heriot-Watt University involved visiting school to work with secondary teachers in Computing
- Prepared and taught my own lessons within three consecutive Wednesdays, focusing on web development
- Assisted students with programming across all year groups
- Gained valuable understanding of classroom dynamics
Tutor
January 2011 to May 2012
- January 2011: Tutored pupil in SQA 'Intermediate 2 Computing' course
- Pupil achieved A grade
- September 2011: Tutored individual in SQA 'Higher Computing'
- Pupil passed with a C
- For both sessions, I prepared helpful revision materials for the pupil
Academic Experience
Class representative at University of Strathclyde
September 2018 to April 2019
- Elected class representative for the third time and had been seen as the group leader for my subject
- Responsibilities include advocating for students' needs
- Attended meetings and addressed raised concerns
- Provided support to a student lacking initial assistance
One-To-One tutor at Heriot-Watt University
October 2016 to December 2016
- Recognised for interest in teaching as well as receiving the highest grade in this module the year before
- Module involved using the D3 JavaScript library
- Accepted offer and began working with student in October 2016
Lab Assistant at Heriot-Watt University
September 2016 to December 2016
- Second-time lab assistant well-prepared for duties
- Took up two courses; the Praxis course that involved assisting with writing tips, IT help, and student professional development and the Web Programming course allowed application of web programming knowledge
- Spent two hours per week in this role
Lab Assistant at Heriot-Watt University
January 2016 to March 2016
- Assisted first-year Computer Science students in the Web Design and Databases course
- Assessed students' work and provided feedback
- Contributions to course deemed valuable by lecturer and students
- Provided assistance to students and the lecturer with fresh knowledge
- Utilised HTML, CSS, PHP, and MySQL for course requirements
Industrial Experience
Executive and Technical Officer at Jambour Digital ltd
July 2018 onwards
- I have developed all websites hosted by Jambour Digital
- The idea of my own company was built on my talent for developing websites freelance
- Company focuses on web development, graphics, and consultancy and I do all areas of development
Voluntary Work
Volunteer at Code Club
September 2018 to May 2019
- I ran the Code Club at the local library offering kids under 16 an opportunity to learn to code
- Volunteered on Saturday mornings from 10 am to about 11:30 am
- I received lots of good feedback about how helpful I was and that the kids were loving the hour of code they got every Saturday
Classroom Assistant at Knox Academy
January 2016 to May 2016
- Became a STEM Ambassador and responded to request at Knox Academy
- Acted as classroom assistant in Computing department
- Assisted students from S1 to S6 in various levels of ICT and Computer Science
- I trialed out my ClickIt application with pupils whilst at this school
- Teachers found assistance valuable and helpful
Projects
ClickIt - the world's first drag and drop HTML editor
October 2015 to May 2016
In October 2015 I began to work on my BSc Honours year project. As part of this, I developed an application to aid new web developers with web development called ClickIt. The main purpose of this was to help school children and new web developers learn HTML using a drag-and-drop system.
