Computing
"In a world that's increasingly run on technology, computer science is a liberal art that every student should be exposed to, regardless of their path in life." - Hadi Partovi
The aims and objectives of Computing at Heartwood are in line with the National Curriculum and ensure all children:
*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.
Intent
With our Computing curriculum we aim to develop curious and explorative thinkers with a wide, and informed, knowledge of the digital world. Learners at Heartwood develop a range of skills and gain understanding to thrive within this ever-changing world.
Our curriculum focusses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science and information technology. These strands are interwoven throughout a child’s time at Heartwood, supporting the development of substantive knowledge (for example understanding networks, algorithms and data) and disciplinary knowledge (for example applying skills to program, creating digital content and evaluating online information responsibly).
Implementation
Our school vision, 'Live Life in All its Fullness' John 10:10, is embedded within the curriculum at Heartwood; the school ethos to make that difference for our pupils ensures they have every opportunity to flourish. Our school community is continually building on and developing partnerships with families, offering advice and knowledge of the computing and online safety curriculum and topical issues that arise.
We teach using a condensed scheme of work (from Kapow Primary) which offers a spiral curriculum where key concepts are revisited (and progressively developed in depth) throughout a child’s education at Heartwood. The scheme is split into key areas, reflecting how technology is experienced and used in the real world. This ensures that both declarative knowledge (knowing what) and procedural knowledge (knowing how) are developed in parallel. By revisiting key concepts, the curriculum meets pupils at their current level and supports all learners.
The skills pupils use and develop within the computing curriculum are:
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to become digitally literate citizens: developing skills to navigate, evaluate and use technology safely, responsibly and effectively.
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to use oracy to explain using subject-specific vocabulary, problem-solve collaboratively, justify decisions and reflect.
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to develop transferable skills and knowledge that they can apply in different contexts, for example linking the Sustainable Development Goals with the use of digital technology and the computing industry:
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to develop critical thinking skills to question assumptions, make informed decisions and form reasoned conclusions about how technology is used and its impact on the world.
Pupils at Heartwood have the opportunity to: use a range of good-quality resources; take part in cross-curricular opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills; experience enrichment days to engage outside the classroom and create lasting memories to embed and hook learning.
Impact
To ensure we meet our intent for every pupil at Heartwood we use: formative and summative assessment for each topic; pupil voice, (oracy and collaboration are important skills developed within the curriculum); and written evidence (where appropriate). Progression is monitored across the school with discussions with all stakeholders and summative assessment tracked. We are flexible (in the knowledge that this subject is ever-changing) and the curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of our cohort, address any gaps that may have arisen or to cover new concepts.
Online Safety
Please click on the links for the Online Safety subject page and the Parents and Carers Online Safety page
The recent visit to Heartwood by 'The Two Johns' was reported in the January edition of Footprints, the Diocesan Board of Education's newsletter. A copy is below.
If you would like further information, The Two Johns website has a specific carer and parents page which has really useful advice covering a range of topics and helpful links.