Computing at HMS

Intent

At Hanborough Manor School, we believe it is essential that our children develop a sound level of computing skills to help them navigate our ever-changing world. Children are being exposed to computing earlier and more frequently and without basic skills they may find their options as adults are reduced. Developing computational thinking in learners can be started from an early age and will help them make sense of and contribute to the society they will live in as adults. Through teaching e-safety, computational thinking and digital literacy we are future proofing children so that they can be safe, competent and engaged digital learners.

Pupils use Computing tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly and creatively. They learn how to employ Computing strategies to enable rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of sources. Our vision is for all teachers to become proficient and confident in delivering quality lessons, and for our learners in our school to become self-assured and creative with technology so that they can develop the skills, knowledge and understanding which enables a wider variety of options later in life.

Implementation

We teach computing using the NCCE curriculum.

The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming in Key Stage 2, where they design, write and debug programs, explaining the thinking behind their algorithms.

The following core principles should underpin all Computing teaching and technology use within Hanborough Manor Primary School.    

Digital literacy 

Digital literacy forms the backbone of the Computing curriculum at Freeland Primary School.   Children should develop Computing skills that can be thoughtfully applied in a range of different situations, with children developing increasing independence in the choices they make over which technology to use to help them reach the desired outcome.   As they progress through KS1 and 2 children will become increasingly confident in the application of their digital skills, becoming increasingly efficient and effective communicators, collaborators and analysts, showing imagination and creativity in their use of Computing in different aspects of their learning and life beyond school.

The development of digital literacy is underpinned through expectation that Computing skills and objects areas are applied across all curriculum subjects.

Technology in the world 

Children should develop an understanding of how technology makes a difference in all aspects of life- at home, at school and in the workplace, as well as considering the impact technology has had on society over the years. 

Children will, for example, identify the different elements of a webpage (EYFS), develop an awareness of how different technology is used in the world around us (KS1) and begin to evaluate web pages, software and applications and use this evaluation in the planning of their own digital artefacts (KS1, KS2)

Technical understanding 

Children should develop the knowledge and understanding of how technology works. This extends from an awareness that there is ‘something inside’ a piece of technology to make it work (EYFS), progressing through KS1 and KS2 to children creating their own simple programs including games, utilities and applications with exposure to computer codes and scripts.

E-Safety

E-safety is a fundamental element of Computing teaching and technology use at Hanborough Manor Primary School.  The school has a separate E-Safety policy, and E-Safety sessions will take place regularly in each year group as part of both Computing and PSHE sessions.