Hawthorn Primary School Logo

Computing at Hawthorn

Computing is fun!
Computing Floor Books.
Each class have their own floor book to record their computing journey. The children are able to use their book to talk about what they have been doing in their lessons and the learning which has taken place. 

EYFS Curriculum.

 

Our children begin their journey with technology in Early Years, with access to iPads, laptops and Beebots. Teachers facilitate the children’s curiosity with challenge and modelling how to use the equipment carefully and safely. They have the opportunity to use a range of Apps to enhance their learning. This is to prepare them for their transition into KS1 and for the children to be able to confidently use an iPad and become familiar with the layout of a laptop.

KS1.

In KS1 children continue their journey with the Beebots and laptops, using them more precisely. They learn how to programme a Beebot to reach a destination and begin to be able to debug when something doesn’t work out the way they imagined. They learn how to use passwords safely. They learn about online safety and what to do if they encounter something which makes them feel uncomfortable as well as what personal information is and why it is important we don’t share it with someone on the internet. Coding then progresses from Beebots onto a computer-based programme E.g. ScratchJr where children learn how to programme a variety of sprites.

KS2
 

In KS2, children continue this coding journey, not only making the sprites move, but interacting with each other. As children progress up KS2 the coding becomes more complex and they are able to create basic games with code. Their digital literacy skills are combined with English and other curriculum areas. They create and write presentations using PowerPoint for example. Children learn how to use the hardware we have in school including digital cameras, where they are taught how to take and manipulate pictures. The children are also taught internet safety throughout each year of KS2. They know how to keep themselves safe online and what to do if they come across something that makes them uncomfortable. Upper KS2 understand the importance of media balance and appreciate that as they get older, they are more responsible for their online presence and how often they access a variety of forms of media.

National Coding Week.
 
As a school we celebrated National Coding Week. This is an annual event that aims to help the children with learning digital skills. We celebrated between the 18th-24th of September 2023. 

We have celebrated Safer Internet Day, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online’.

This is the UK’s biggest celebration of online safety. This year Safer Internet Day has focussed on change online, which included:

  • Young people’s perspective on new and emerging technology
  • Using the internet to make change for the better
  • The changes young people want to see online
  • The things that can influence and change the way young people think, feel and act online and offline
Year 5 attended STEM session at Newcastle Foundation. The children looked at programming a robot called a Sphero using the Sphero app. They were set a challenge to create a game of Simon Says with the robots. The children were engaged, enthusiastic and used their computing skills and knowledge to complete this! Well done Year 5!