At Drake, we provide a relevant, engaging and challenging Computing curriculum that ensures pupils are able to thrive in a modern technological world.
We will provide relevant training for our staff; ensure Computing resources are effectively used; work with external partners to ensure our assessments are accurate; use assessments to carefully plan next steps; provide appropriate resources to support all our pupils and offer enrichment opportunities to inspire a life-long love of computing and technology.
To achieve this, our Computing lessons are observed to be of the correct challenge for all groups of pupils; teachers are confident to make judgements in Computing; progress is achieved and next steps are carefully planned.
We are well resourced to deliver this curriculum. Every classroom has a teacher laptop and interactive whiteboard. Each year group has access to dedicated laptops and iPads, which can be brought into the classroom. We have a range of additional resources such as Beebots, digital cameras and BBC Micro:bits. Each year group explored their very own virtual adventure using Virtual Reality (VR) headsets!
In Year 3 and upwards pupils learn to code using a block-based coding platform called Scratch. It is hugely popular right across the world for being an opened-ended tool for teaching pupils to create their own algorithms and sequences, looping, selection. You can choose your characters to animate and even add your own backgrounds! You can share and explore millions of other projects written by children and young people right around the world. Start your adventures here: https://scratch.mit.edu/
Micro:bit
In Year 3 and beyond our pupils extend their knowledge of coding using a fun, hands-on gadget called a BBC Micro:bit. They are inexpensive to buy, and you can even borrow them from any Norfolk library!
Read a quick guide here: https://www.kitronik.co.uk/blog/five-minute-microbit-guide/ and a full parents' guide here: https://issuu.com/kitronik/docs/the-kitronik-parents-guide-to-the-b
Steve Williams, our Computing subject leader, recently attended the technology conference Bett at the Excel Centre in London. There were workshops on using iPads to inspire creativity in our pupils; improving pupils' coding in Scratch; new features on Microsoft's MakeCode website for Micro:bits; a keynote speech by world renowned author Pie Corbett and a global launch of new features of Google Classroom. It was a jam-packed day!
In the theme Program this! Pupils will be able to:
In the theme Data everywhere! pupils will be able to:
In the theme Get creative! pupils will be able to:
In the theme Digital literacy pupils will be able to:
In the theme Staying safe pupils will be able to: