Computing

At our school we want pupils to be MASTERS of technology and not slaves to it. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in pupils’ lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice with using technology and as a school we utilise technology to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education. We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils.

Our knowledge-rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skillful computer scientists.

We encourage staff to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of tools to express their understanding. We aim by the end of Year 4 that our pupils will have the independence and confidence to choose the best tools to fullfil the tasks and challenges set by teachers or for projects of their own.

During the Spring 2022, we moved to a new scheme of work (SoW) supported by the National Centre for Computing Education, a DfE recognised curriculum provider. The NCCE scheme of work ensures thorough coverage of the National Curriculum, providing clear links between knowledge and skills taught each year.

The knowledge and skills maps build year-on-year to deepen and challenge our learners. The NVCCE SoW also ensures the pupils have access to the most current resources and pedagogy, supporting Hampreston in our provision of resources including hardware, apps/software and devices.

With the children, we also engage with a variety of activities during Safer Internet Week each year.

Hampreston aims to:

• Meet the requirements of the National Curriculum programmes of study for computing.

• Provide a relevant, challenging and enjoyable curriculum for computing for all pupils.

• Use ICT and computing as a tool to enhance learning throughout the curriculum.

• To respond to new developments in technology.

• To equip pupils with the confidence and capability to use ICT and computing throughout their later life.

• To develop the understanding of how to use ICT and computing safely and responsibly.

The National Curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Can understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science, including logic, algorithms, data representation, and communication.

• Can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.

• Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.

• Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. We will constantly ask the WHY behind their learning and not just the HOW. We want learners to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well-being.

Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style. We feel the way we implement computing helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can continue to build on in their next stage of education and beyond. We encourage regular discussions between staff and pupils to best embed and understand this.

The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work will best show the impact of our curriculum.

We also look for evidence through reviewing pupil’s knowledge and skills digitally and observing their learning regularly.