
Miss H Drabwell – Computing Lead
At Hillfort, our aim is to prepare our students to be confident, effective and safe users and creators of technology. We feel it is essential that students become digitally literate to enable them to access the curriculum throughout their schooling, into future workplaces and as active participants in the developing digital world.
We focus on closing the digital divide and providing opportunities for all children to have access to modern information and communication technology. With this is mind, we deliver the three strands of the computing curriculum: information technology, digital literacy (including online safety) and computer science. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during the children’s time in school to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed.
We aim to make their learning memorable by providing practical and context-based computing lessons.
As part of information technology, children learn to use, express themselves and develop their ideas through ICT. Programmes that we anticipate using over this coming academic year include Sway, Powerpoint, Book Creator, Popplet and Microsoft Word. Alongside this, they will be using multimedia such as Do Inc Green Screen and I Can Animate to create digital art and develop animations for video creation.
In computer science, we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including algorithms and applying these algorithms as code. Children will learn to analyse problems and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. By the end of KS1, children will have learned how to input simple instructions to control a device (BeeBot) while learning how to fix bugs in their programming. By the end of KS2, children will have completed training through code.org to program code and confidently debug their programming. Furthermore, we aim to foster digital creativity with Micro Bits. Children will use code to turn abstract concepts into exciting experiences.
Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of technology and the skills to safely access the internet, networks and email. At Hillfort, we follow the themes set out by the ‘Education for a Connected World’ document, where the children will learn how to access online spaces safely and benefit from the opportunities that come with connecting with others and accessing a range of devices.
We want children to leave Hillfort equipped with the skills and knowledge to safely access technology and to become part of the global online learning community.
Long Term PlanningHillfort Specific
Embody the school’s values Kindness, resilience, challenge | Health With children’s increased use of technology, we are aware that they are spending more time sat playing e-games, watching a screen or using a range of social media. This in turn, is having an impact on their practical, outdoor and physical activity. | Multicultural Links How can we use technology and online learning to allow children to access information, cultures, people and places that they not be able to experience? E.g virtual reality, film, pictures, linking with children in different countries and finding out new information. |
Computing Concepts
We have to learn to balance the benefits offered by technology with an awareness of its effects on ourselves and others, including how to keep ourselves safe within the virtual world. |
Technology is everywhere. Be able to identify it and have a growing understanding of how it works and its effect. |
Machines work when given specific, accurate instructions. |
Technology moves quickly: what does the future hold? |
Technology can be a tool for creativity. Music production Digital Art Video creation. |
Geographical barriers can be overcome with technology, connecting us as Global Digital Citizens. |
Computing Skills
Digital Literacy | Self-image and identity, online relationships, online reputation, online bullying, managing online information, health wellbeing and lifestyles, privacy and security and copyright and ownership. |
Information Technology | Word processing, Data handling, Presentations (web design, e Books), Video creation (animation, Augmented reality and green screen) and Digital Art (photography, sound and art) Links with Digital Literacy (audience and design) |
Computer Science | Using Computational Thinking to solve problems such as sequencing steps (algorithms), implementing the algorithm as code and being able to debug mistakes. |
Curriculum Maps:
Year 11 week | The Hillfort Digital Code of Conduct | |
Technology all around us | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Health Wellbeing and Lifestyle |
Digital Painting | 6 weeks | |
Digital Writing – Book creator | 7 weeks | Digital Literacy: Managing online information |
Grouping Data | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Privacy and security |
Moving a robot | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Online relationships |
Introduction to animation | 7 weeks |
1 week | The Hillfort Digital Code of Conduct | |
IT all around us | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Online bullying |
Digital Photography | 7 weeks | Digital Literacy: Self Image and Identity |
Making music | 6 weeks | |
Pictograms | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Copyright and ownerships |
Robot algorithms | 7 weeks | Digital Literacy: Online reputations |
Introduction to programming | 7 weeks |
1 week | The Hillfort Digital Code of Conduct | |
Connecting computers | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Privacy and security |
Desktop Publishing | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Managing Online Information |
Animation | 7 weeks | |
Programming-music focus | 7 weeks | Digital Literacy: Online reputation |
J2data-branching data | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Health lifestyle and wellbeing |
Programming (lines focus) | 6 weeks |
1 week | The Hillfort Digital Code of Conduct | |
The internet | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Managing Online Information |
Desktop PowerPoint | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Copyright and ownership |
Creating media – Audio editing (podcasts) | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Self-image and identity |
Digital 3D Art – Minecraft education | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Online relationships |
Programming (shapes and patterns focus) | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Online bullying |
Programming (Sphero balls) | 6 weeks |
1 week | The Hillfort Digital Code of Conduct | |
The internet | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Managing Online Information |
Sway – Collaborative learning online | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Online relationships |
Video editing (including green screen) | 7 weeks | Digital Literacy: Self-image and identity |
Data logging Graphs and charts | 6 weeks | |
Programming (programme creation e.g A quiz) | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Online reputation |
Programming (Micro:bits) | 7 weeks |
1 week | The Hillfort Digital Code of Conduct | |
Internet communication | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Managing Online Information |
Website creation using Wix | 7 weeks | Digital Literacy: Copyright and ownership |
Variables in games | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy: Online bullying |
Introduction to spreadsheets | 6 weeks | Digital Literacy – Privacy and security |
Programming (Micro:bits) | 9 weeks | |
The AI Debate | 3 weeks | Digital Literacy: Health wellbeing and lifestyle |