Havering Newsletter

Computing – Enriching the computing curriculum

In a recent subject leader meeting we talked about ways we can enrich the computing curriculum with visits and visitors and I had to admit that since the pandemic I hadn’t had a look at what was currently available. Below is a summary of what I found. We can enrich Computing through the addition of engaging activities to enhance the curriculum. These activities help make the subject more meaningful and enable pupils to experience aspects of computing beyond the National Curriculum programme of study. Opportunities can be provided for children to examine computing in a real world context, along with enabling them to interact with individuals / organisations involved with technology. Enrichment activities can be undertaken during lessons, outside of lessons (but within the school setting) and outside of school, as outlined below. When planning enrichment activities, it is important to consider the purpose of the activity, including how it will benefit pupils and link with the school’s computing provision. Opportunities to share the activity’s outcomes and link to other areas of the curriculum could also be considered. Enrichment outside of lessons Dedicated time given to computing outside of lessons can not only help further develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding, but it can also promote the importance of the subject within the school. Some ideas include: Trips Providers with either face to face or online opportunities for primary schools include: • Science Museum, London - sciencemuseum.org.uk • Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes - bletchleypark.org.uk • National Museum of Computing (at Bletchley Park, includes some online options), Milton Keynes - tnmoc.org • Centre for Computing History, Cambridge. You can visit but

they will also come to your school - computinghistory.org.uk

• Guardian, London - https://theguardianfoundation.org/ programmes/newswise/teachers/newswise-webinars • National Science and Media Museum, Bradford (it’s a long journey but there is some great content on their website) - www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/ • Amazon - bit.ly/amazonful Digital Leaders A number of children lead technology and computing usage in the school, including providing technical support and trialling new products. Lunch time / after school clubs Digital Leaders could run / attend an extra-curricular club, or it could be accessible to a wider range of children. Code Club provides free resources for use during clubs codeclub.org Computing day / week A dedicated event linked to computing, which could involve extended lessons / workshops to produce creative digital artefacts. Pupils could produce animations, videos and programs, which are shared with the wider school community, such as those produced during Hour of Code activities hourofcode.com/uk

I hope that you find some ideas and are able to give something a go.

Amanda Jackson Senior Inspector – Quality Assurance amanda.jackson@havering.gov.uk 01708 431662

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