“I enjoy the freedom we have in Computing lessons. We get to make each project our own and work independently. It’s really satisfying when you finish making a game and you get to play it!” Year 7 pupil

At Danesfield, children have access to a dedicated hour of Computing per week. Lessons consist of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. Within computer science lessons, children will learn how to use computational thinking, logical reasoning and concepts of data structures to solve problems, often through writing programs. For example, in Year 5, children use Logo, in Year 6 children use Scratch and in KS3 children use Python and Pygame Zero. Children develop upon learnt skills and apply these to work, such as Boolean logic. Within information technology lessons children undertake real-life creative problem solving using varied programs. Children attempt to re-use, revise and re-purpose work to meet the needs of specific audiences within digital literacy lessons. In Computing children are also taught how to use technology in a safe, respectful, secure and responsible way. When children leave Danesfield they are fully equipped with the understanding needed to transition into GCSE Computing, or to be digitally literate as an adult.

Children frequently use two modern ICT suites, and a range of tablets, across a range of subjects, for example maths, to further their education. Many subjects utilise access to the world-wide web and programs to support, stretch and challenge pupils either through classwork, or homework. The school uses the ICT suites for our dedicated homework club, for one-hour afterschool every day, where children are supported by staff.

Our intent for the Danesfield Curriculum in Computing is to:

• Understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science, for example algorithms and logic

• Have repeated practice of writing in various computer programs and using other technologies to solve problems

• Develop skills in how to be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technologies