Intent

A high-quality computing education equips students to use computational thinking and 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.

The core of computing is computer science, in which students are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, students are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that students become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. It is with this sentiment that we will approach computing at Bishop Hooper School.

Our computing curriculum aims to ensure that all students:

• 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
• can keep themselves safe online

Implementation

A clear progression plan is in place to support cohesive, high-quality learning across our four main computing strands: programming, systems & networks, digital media and digital literacy (including online safety). Knowledge and skills are revisited and developed throughout the year in computing lessons, with students also increasing digital literacy through the use of technology in other subjects.

Our scheme of work comes from the Teach Computing Curriculum. Resources are designed by The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) which was funded by the Department for Education and supporting partners as part of a significant investment in improving the provision of computing education in England.

Our lessons reference how the skills and knowledge they develop at Bishop Hopper School will be essential to our children’ future in education and adulthood. This is enhanced through access to:

• 15 iPads in each classroom
• 40 laptops
• BBC micro:bits
• 5 Data loggers
• 12 BeeBots

Impact

We aim that our pupils:

• know how to keep themselves safe online
• are enthusiastic and confident in their approach towards Computing
• present as competent and adaptable ‘Computational Thinkers’ who are able to use identified concepts and approaches in all of their learning
• are able to identify the source of problems and work with perseverance to ‘debug’ them
• can confidently create and evaluate their own project work
• have a secure understanding of the positive applications and specific risks (and benefits) associated with a broad range of digital technology
• transition to secondary school with a keen interest in the continued learning of this subject