Computing

Intent 

Computing is an integral element of the curriculum at Hook Norton C.E.P School where we aim to produce confident, perceptive, safe and competent learners with a LOVE of computing and the skills for using computing within all areas of the curriculum, both as a learning and a presentation tool. We aim to teach pupils to use equipment and software confidently and purposefully, to THINK through solutions for themselves, to DARE  to use their intuition to try new things and LEARN knowledge and skills to take forward into their future lives. We aim for our children to become digitally literate, to be able to use and express themselves and develop their learning and ideas through information and communication technology, at a level suitable for future learning and as active participants in a digital age, aware that they LIVE in an ever-changing world in which the technology that they will have access to as adults does not yet exist. We recognize therefore the need to produce learners with a flexible approach who will be unfazed by being confronted with programs and technology that is unfamiliar. We teach our pupils to CARE for each other and anyone they may come into contact with through their use of technology, so that they contribute to making communication channels safe spaces to be.

Implementation

We begin each year with a unit on safe computing and internet use and continue to remind pupils of these skills in every lesson, including what to do if they come across anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. We cover issues such as cyber-bullying and take part in national initiatives such as Safer Internet Day. We follow a broad and balanced Computing curriculum that builds on previous learning and provides both support and challenge for learners. We have discrete skills-based computing lessons teaching aspects of computing, and we also teach computing as a research, manipulation and presentation tool within subjects and topics. Each class has a scheduled computing lesson each week as well as times when computing is used within other subjects. Computing is embedded in our whole school curriculum and opportunities for enhancing learning by using technology are exploited.

Impact

Progress in Computing is demonstrated through reviewing children’s work in accordance with our assessment policy to ensure that progression is taking place. The Computing curriculum contributes to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection, resulting in them being able to talk confidently about their work, and share their work with others. We aim for our pupils to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. We aim for them to use perseverance to analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of working with computer programs in order to solve such problems. Our pupils are taught evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems, and to recognize where the use of technology is not appropriate. We ensure that our pupils are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.