Computing

Subject Leader: Mr A Hartwright

Our Vision

At Hartwell Primary School, we understand that a high-quality computing curriculum is essential for pupils to understand today’s modern lifestyle. We strive for our children to work responsibly, competently, confidently and creatively as participants of an increasingly digital world. We aim to inspire children to become diligent, resilient and independent within the digital world to support their further development as they progress into secondary school and further opportunities such as university and a range of careers. Technology is used, not only within computing lessons, but across the whole curriculum to enhance learning. We provide the children with access to a range of resources such as: laptops, iPads, cameras and programmable toys. Children within KS2 have the opportunity to become digital leaders and take responsibility over ensuring that their peers are using technology correctly and confidently, whilst also having the opportunity to work with younger year groups.

As well as this, we strive to ensure that the children at Hartwell have a clear understanding of how to present and conduct themselves online. With an increasing level of online interactivity in the modern world, this is paramount. Online safety and bullying are important areas within both the computing and PSHE curriculums.

Parenting in a Digital World

Parenting in a Digital World PDF. There is information on how to support your children online to use the internet and technology in a fun but safe way. It includes information on how to set boundaries, understand which content is appropriate, and what to do in the case that they are exposed to anything that alarms, worries or confuses them, amongst many other useful tips.

Subject Leader

As computing lead, it is my role to support teachers where necessary, prepare children for the increasing digital future and monitor the progress of children. To support the progress children make, I have created a curriculum overview that is supported by resources from Barefoot Computing and Link2ICT. As well as this, I have also introduced a language progression document that identifies which key vocabulary the children should know and be able to use when explaining their computing work. In order to gain an understanding of how Computing is taught across the school, I have held staff meetings and gathered pupil voice. I believe teaching children the skills to keep themselves safe online is of paramount important. To support this, I have organised online safety sessions across the whole school and ensured that it is filtered into each unit of computing.

As part of our dedication to online safety and ensuring that children are using technology correctly and confidently, pupils and parents sign an Acceptable Use Agreement. Please see a copy of the agreement below.

Pupil Voice

As a school, we believe that it is important to gather the children’s views and opinions about history in order to really understand what is working within our history curriculum and effectively consider where to go next. Below are the most recent results of our pupil voice survey:

**ADD PUPIL VOICE **

Click here to see SMSC in Computing 

????Click here to see our Computing School Development Plan 2023-24????

The Computing Curriculum at Hartwell

There are three main strands of the Computing curriculum: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Computer Science introduces children to understanding how computers and networks work. Alongside this, it gives children the opportunity to learn computer programming, from simple programmable toys in EYFS to programming and decoding complex codes in Year 6. Information Technology focuses on the use of computers for collecting and presenting information in a range of ways and using search technology. Digital Literacy is about the safe and responsible use of technology, including recognising its advantages for collaboration or communication. Computing skills are not only developed within computing lessons, but also incorporated across the curriculum, allowing children to delve deeper into different subjects and topics.

Curriculum objectives for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Key Stage 1:

Pupils should be taught about:

  • Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions 
  • Create and debug simple programs 
  • Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs 
  • Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content 
  • Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school 
  • Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies. 

Key Stage 2

Pupils should be taught about:

  • Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts 
  • Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output 
  • Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs 
  • Understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration 
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content 
  • Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information 
  • Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact. 

Early Years Foundation Stage

For EYFS, Computing isn’t a statutory part of the curriculum, however we ensure that children in reception receive a broad, play-based experience that supports the development of Computational Thinking Skills (See document below). The majority of computing skills within EYFS are developed through an ‘unplugged approach’ that uses practical resources rather than computers or online services. However, the children do have access to games and applications to support their learning. They also have access to range of other technology including programmable toys and an interactive whiteboard. Computing makes a significant contribution to developing a child’s understanding of the world (UTW) especially their understanding of technology, including how technology has changed over time.

Click here to see our Long Term Map.
Click here to see Language Progression at Hartwell.