Computing

Computing Leader: Mr Bond
          

The Intention of Computing at our School

At Hinchliffe Mill School we intend to equip all pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand the changing world.   The core of our computing curriculum is to  ensure that our pupils become responsible digital citizens  who are digitally literate and are able to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through the use of information and communication technology.

They will also be taught the foundations of computer science including programming.

Why is Computing important to learn?

With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we believe ‘Computational Thinking’ is a skill children must be taught if they are able to participate effectively and safely in this digital world. A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.

What Does Computing at Hinchliffe Mill School look Like?

At Hinchliffe Mill School, the core of computing is Computing Science in which pupils are introduced to a wide range of technology, including laptops, iPads, and interactive whiteboards, allowing them to continually practise and improve the skills they learn. This ensures they become digitally literate so that they are able to express themselves and develop their ideas through information and computer technology- at a level suitable for the future workplace as active participates in a digital world

Implementation

How is Computing taught across school?

Computing is taught half termly in all year groups from 1 to 6 through the planned themed units using the NCCE - National Centre of Computing Education. Pupils are taught in mixed classes over a two year cycle.  Records of the learning that takes place in Computing is recorded in a class floor book each week.

How is Computing Assessed? 

Floor books help the class to revisit prior learning, vocabulary and subject specific concepts. These books can be found in each class and are available for pupils to look at. These are referred to weekly to recap the previous learning to support knowledge, understanding and vocabulary retention. 

Formative assessments take place through observations and lesson outcomes. This then informs future planning and supports Teacher Assessment Judgements at the end of the school year.

What adjustments are made to ensure that learning is accessible to all pupils?

Computing schemes of work are designed to be taught in ways that allow teachers to adapt to pupils’ needs as they would in any other subject, to ensure that all pupils are able to access the learning.

Teachers will always adapt the planning to ensure that any particular needs are anticipated and catered for. All computers in school offer adaptability to cater for particular needs and the Computing subject leaders and technical support team are available to assist teachers with any modifications to devices or apps which may be needed.

Paired work is often used in computing to allow children to support each other and develop their ideas, as well as practising turn-taking and sharing of tasks.

How Do We promote Computing?

Computing is promoted beyond the Computing curriculum with cross curricular links and use of learnt skills to produce and record data, share word processed information and research using the internet.