At Fern Hill, our children enjoy a highly engaging computing curriculum which empowers them to understand the rapidly changing world in which they live and how it is being transformed by access to varied and developing technology. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
Our high quality computing curriculum equips our children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand a changing world. Our children develop and build deep knowledge and understanding through carefully sequenced teaching as well as opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills across all subject areas using mobile technology. The core of computing is computer science, in which children 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, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs.
Key skills that children require to be confident and successful users of technology have been broken down into small progressive steps that have been carefully sequenced and that build year upon year to ensure long-term learning.
Whilst learning about Computing at Fern Hill pupils are taught to be respectful of others, particularly when communicating online. Each February all pupils take part in Safer Internet Day which covers all aspects of online safety and helps children explore respect and relationships online in a safe and supportive environment.
We believe that all our children should leave Fern Hill as confident, independent and responsible digital citizens with the ability to engage with and utilise key technologies successfully in their learning.
To help our children experience the feeling of success during computing lessons, they are encouraged to share their work with their peers and to feedback constructively and with empathy on the work of others. At the end of each unit of work, children are given the opportunity to self-reflect on their learning and express what they have learnt, enjoyed or found challenging. Effort in lessons is celebrated regularly and rewards are given for outstanding pieces of work.
Our Computing curriculum aims to promote a life-long curiosity and love of learning through accessible digital learning and through ever-advancing technology. We aim to encourage our children to consider their role within the wider world through online safety; teaching about their online reputations, relationships and how to manage online information. We hope to teach our children how they can make a positive impact on their online world.
We want our pupils to be creators not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this.
The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils 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, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Our Computing curriculum also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, express themselves and develop ideas through information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as part of the digital world.
At Fern Hill, computing and IT is an integral component of our curriculum. Children have weekly computing lessons and alongside this, regular opportunities to apply the skills learnt in these lessons across the curriculum, particularly through use of Chromebooks. In the context of the development of the computing strands, we envisage that computing will enhance the process of teaching of learning in all areas of the curriculum.
We measure the impact of our Computing curriculum with various formative methods of assessment including self and peer assessment. Children’s understanding is assessed regularly so that misconceptions can be addressed promptly. Children’s work is evidenced through digital folders or in workbooks.
Children in Years 1 - 6 have access to after-school Computing clubs that currently run on three days a week. Here they can extend their programming skills on various digital devices and explore Lego robotics.