Each pupil at Dean Field has the right to a wealth of rich, deep learning experiences within the subject area of computing.
As technology plays such a significant role in society today, we believe ‘Computational Thinking’ is a skill that children must be taught if they are to be able to participate safely and effectively in this digital world. The core of computing is Computer Science alongside basic skills. Pupils are introduced to a wide range of technology, including desktop computers, I-pads, coding toys and interactive whiteboards, allowing them to continually practise and improve the skills they learn.
This ensures they become digitally literate so that they are able to express themselves and develop their ideas through information and computer technology– at a level suitable for their next step into high school and the future workplace as active participants in a digital world.
We teach a curriculum that enables children to become confident users of technology who can:
- Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including logic, algorithms and data representation
- Analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- Evaluate and apply information technology analytically to solve problems
- Communicate ideas well by utilising appliances and devices throughout all areas of the curriculum.
- Have the basic skills needed to be computer literate in an ever-developing digital world
The Computing national curriculum is made up of 3 main components and is broken down into three elements- Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy.
Children access these components by using various skills, which are outlined in our progression document. Children also need to be computational thinkers to be successful computer scientists- the skills needed to be a computational thinker are outlined below.
Certified School for Online Safety
Dean Field is recognised for its commitment to helping pupils stay safe online as we have successfully completed a comprehensive online safety training programme demonstrating its commitment to keeping children and young people safe online.
Computing Must Knows
Below, are a selection of the Must Knows that we provide for each year group, for each Computing topic covered. These Must Knows are designed to be used at home by parents as part of homework and revision, in school to supplement work in lessons and to recap previous learning. We want every pupil to be able to recall the facts given on the sheet but also to research further into the information provided. These are carefully structured so that knowledge and vocabulary are sequenced and built upon over time. We are confident that these Must Knows will help our children to develop and retain key knowledge on a wide range of areas and will significantly improve their vocabulary.
A full range of Computing Must Knows can be found on each class’ Seesaw account.
Year 3 – Touch Typing
Year 4 – Animation
Year 6 – Networks
Enriching Opportunities and Experiences
We provide pupils with as many opportunities as possible to experience, explore and explain the wide variety of technology in the world in order for them to become informed and thoughtful members of the digital community.
We celebrate internet safety week annually. This supports all our learners and their parents to be fully informed about their safety online and guides them to be responsible members of the online community.
We have experiences a range of virtual visits. Children have engaged online with famous authors, expert speakers, scientists and shows. Pupils have also used VR set for virtual trips through history.
We provide pupils with extra curriculum clubs in computing. We run a coding for pupils with a passion for coding. This involves using a micro:bit and programming using different skills and features.
