Computing at Hever

Computing Curriculum intent

The curriculum intent for Computing is to embed an innovative, relevant and challenging Computing curriculum which reflects the everchanging technological world that we live in. It will be engaging and exciting, teaching children the key knowledge and skills, and giving them the vocabulary (Digital Literacy), designed to prepare them for their future learning and career opportunities, both as a core subject and immersed within other areas of the curriculum. Furthermore, the intention is that all teachers will continue the journey they have begun, in order to become 'Computing experts.'

Computing Curriculum implementation and impact

At Hever CEP School, we will prepare the children for the next stage of their learning, as well as their future career opportunities, whilst ensuring they understand the present technological world around them. We currently use the Kapow Computing curriculum alongside our own innovative ideas, following collaboration with other schools. This ensures the National Curriculum Program of Study for Computing and the Statutory Framework for Early Years Foundation Stage objectives are covered.  A long-term overview has been produced by the Computing Subject Leader to ensure that the curriculum reflects the current stance regarding Computing and Technology. It is designed to focus on the key three areas of the National Curriculum (Computer Science (coding), Digital Literacy (the ability to communicate digitally, including internet safety) and Information Technology (using different materials and software)) whilst developing Computational Thinking (understanding problems and formulating solutions) throughout. This is taught through seven key strands of Computing: Internet Safety, Technology around us, Communication and Collaboration, Multimedia, Information Technology, Data Handling and Coding, ensuring children are given a broad and rich experience of computing, preparing them for future learning, real-life experiences and career opportunities. 

An extensive overview has been created which incorporates units from Kapow as well as those designed from collaborative planning by the Computing Subject Leader. A vocabulary grid has been created which covers all areas of learning. Knowledge organisers are used from Kapow to support the teaching of all Kapow units whilst the Computing Lead has made knowledge organisers for other areas of the curriculum. These include key skills, knowledge progression and vocabulary and cover all seven Computing strands. These documents also ensure the curriculum is progressive and challenging, and that all teachers are confident in planning and delivering lessons with knowledge of the children's previous learning, as well as what the next stage will be. 

Furthermore, we will continue to provide the children with opportunities to use office skills within other curriculum subjects to ensure they are developing all vital skills for the future. Our Computing skills will be taught predominantly using iPads, but also using the Desktop Computers within classrooms at times. However, other resources will be used alongside these, such as our engaging Sphero robots (kindly donated by our amazing P.T.A.), Lego Wedo and recently ordered Microbits, all offering children an exciting link to engineering.

Cross-curricular opportunities

We use computers and other technological aids throughout the school. I.C.T. skills, including word-processing, data handling, modelling of information and the control of devices, are taught both formally and discretely as a means of supporting other areas of the curriculum. The children regularly use the internet to research topics and support their learning whenever it is appropriate. Teachers also make good use of the classroom interactive whiteboards and desktop computers to support and enhance the children’s learning. We have also purchased a GreenScreen, allowing us to create exciting scenes and videos using the GreenScreen app. Our Sphero robots allow the children to develop their maths skills, engaging them in geometry and problem solving when creating algorithms to control the robots. The Garageband app also provides a useful tool for music outcomes.

Digital Leaders

At Hever CEP School, it is our vision to empower the children to play their role in leading their own learning. As a result, we are extremely proud to present our new Digital Leaders, who will be working with the Computing Subject Leader to promote a love of Computing across the school. Furthermore, they will play a key role as Hever ‘computing experts’, supporting their peers in lessons and within our school Digital Leader Club, as well as trialling and researching a range of apps, covering all areas of the Computing curriculum. They will also play their part in raising awareness of how to stay safe on the internet, being advocates for ‘online safety' and spreading their own knowledge of 'Digital Literacy.'

The National Curriculum

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
• 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.

Overview for Year 1 & 2

• Understand use of algorithms
• Create & debug simple programs
• Use logical reasoning to make predictions
• Organise, store, retrieve & manipulate data
• Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate, retrieve
• Communicate online safely and respectfully
• Recognise uses of IT outside of school

Overview for Year 3 & 4

• Design, write & debug programs to achieve specific goals, including solving problems
• Use logical reasoning
• Understand computer networks
• Use internet safely and appropriately
• Collect and present data appropriately
• Use a range of digital devices

Overview for Year  5 & 6

• Design, write & debug programs to solve problems
• Use sequences, repetition, inputs, variables and outputs in programs
• Detect & correct errors in programs
• Understand uses of networks for collaboration & communication
• Be discerning in evaluating digital content

https://scratch.mit.edu/ (Scratch)

https://hourofcode.com/uk/learn (This has a range of exciting coding games. Some may require Adobe Flashplayer.)

 Online Safety at Hever
 

Online Safety Intent

At Hever, we teach most of our 'Online Safety' lessons through Computing and P.S.H.E. lessons, overseen by our school Designated Safeguarding Leads. The curriculum intent for 'Online Safety' is that children will be given the relevant toolkit, alongside the vocabulary, knowledge and skills needed, to understand the many positives and dangers of using the internet. It will reflect the robust processes in place to ensure the online safety of pupils, staff, volunteers and governors. Our aims include to deliver an effective approach to online safety, which empowers us to protect and educate the whole school community in its use of technology, including mobile and smart technology (which we refer to as ‘mobile phones’). Children will feel inspired to lead their own learning, engage in discussion, and ultimately, understand how to stay safe online. 

As a nurturing school, we will fully support the children in their learning, intending that all children will feel confident discussing any internet safety concerns with our caring staff team.  Our policy and practise will ensure swift identification and support groups of pupils that are potentially at greater risk of harm online than others. We aim to establish clear mechanisms to identify, intervene and escalate an incident, where appropriate.

Online Safety implementation and impact

The school has a strict Internet Protocol so that pupils are able to use the Internet safely. The Kent Learning Zone enables our children to access the Internet via a secure server. Online Safety is taught discretely, as well as woven through all computing learning, in both a fun and informative way, using videos, games, stories and various other activities. All staff are provided with training by the Computing Subject Lead, provided with skills and vocabulary progression grids, 'knowledge organisers' and other appropriate and engaging resources, to ensure the quality of this important subject. Staff are experts in this area and are quick to respond to any concerns which may arise.  Parents and Carers are regularly updated with guidance on online safety, whilst resources are provided to support children’s learning on this subject at home. The impact of our provision is that children will be empowered and enabled to make the right choices when navigating online platforms.