Computing

With technology playing such a significant role in society today, at Bevington we believe that Computational Thinking is a key skill which children must be taught, if there are to be be ready for the workplace.  It also helps them to participate effecitively in this growing digital world.  The core of computing at Bevington is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge into use through programming.  All computing lessons are fun, engaging and allow pupils to get hands-on with a range of equipement to enhance their learning.  We dedicate an afternoon a fortnight to computing in all year groups, to ensure that pupils have the opportunity to learn in-depth.

A wide range of fun, engaging and interactive activities are built into our Computing Curriculum for all pupils (Year 1 – Year 6). Within our Computing map, 3 core elements are taught throughout the year:

1. Online Safety (ensuring pupils are digitally safe and understand the importance of being safe online)
2. Functional Computer Skills (logging on/off, word processing, data analysis, coding etc.)
3. Technical Computer Skills (understanding how a computer and other digital devices work)

Computing is weaved into our creative curriculum topics each half term and helps to further extend pupils learning and acquire key Computer skills that will prepare them for the digital world. Throughout a pupils time at Bevington they will cover a wide range of learning activities in Computing including: logging on and off, use of and interpreting data and spreadsheets, range of digital presentations, emails, coding, programming, algorithms, game development, film production, radio production, web design and safe internet usage and searching.

At Bevington we have a range of exciting equipment and resources to develop pupil’s ability and confidence in using computers to communicate and handle information, control and monitor events and solve problems across the curriculum.

• We have an ICT suite fully equipped with 30 desktop computers that each class across the school has access to during the week for their ICT lessons.
• We also have 50 iPads that we use within classrooms across the curriculum to further enhance learning and promote the use of technology across the school.
• We have a number of devices used across the school to enhance our teaching of coding, including BeeBots, MBots, Raspberry Pi 3 and CodeBugs.
• We use a range of portable devices to enhance our teaching and learning across the curriculum, including cameras, audio recorders, and data loggers.
• All classrooms and teaching spaces are equipped with electronic interactive whiteboards and visualisers, all of which include conferencing software to make learning accessible to children with visual impairments.

High importance is placed upon Computing at Bevington and it is an integral part of our growing school specialism in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). Wherever possible, we make links with STEM whenever teaching Computing, with pupils looking at the working components inside a computer to identify them, explaining the function systems within a computing, and writing codes and programmes for robots and other equipment. Other  example include pupils researching what stop motion animations are, learning about the events of D Day in WW2 and then planning, filming, editing and producing their own D Day Stop motion animation.

Online Safety plays a fundamental role in how we deliver Computing at Bevington. All pupils and members of staff sign an acceptable user agreement, which helps to promote the safe and responsible use of computers at Bevington. Furthermore, Online Safety is a constant focus, as it’s taught alongside all units of work. Safe guarding, underpins all sessions, which are fun, whilst providing clear guidance when using websites, playing games and using mobile phones. We also provide workshops for parents to develop their knowledge and confidence of supporting their child when using computers.

Online Safety Policy

Each year KS2 pupils are invited to apply to become Digital Leaders, with seven successful applicants appointed the ‘Bevington Digital Leaders’. These leaders then meet weekly with the Computing Leader to further maintain computer equipment and look at continuing to develop Computing and the use of digital technology to support and enhance learning.

We have our very own YouTube channel which we use to share learning in school with parents and to celebrate the achievements and learning of our pupils. Our YouTube channel contains videos of events that have taken place in school including: Music concerts, school productions, sporting events and a whole range of curriculum events. In addition to this the YouTube channel is used to extend learning at home through the use of subject specific videos that teach particular skills.  Please see a link to our channel below, as well as an example of a video we have created to support learning at home