I am Harrison Phillips the Computing lead.

Our curriculum for Computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
• Use technology safely and responsibly
• Recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, and know where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet
• Select, use and combine a variety d software on a range of digital devices to create organise, store and achieve given goals.
• Use logical reasoning to explain how simple algorithms work
• Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals including controlling or simulating systems.
• Understand computer networks including the internet, how they can provide multiple services and the opportunities they offer.

Key Responsibilities

Computing and Online Safety across school and with our parent community.

Values

• Computing is for everyone, and all pupils are capable of success regardless of background, gender, or ability

• Curiosity is valued, and pupils are encouraged to explore, question, and wonder about how technology works

• Mistakes are seen as a positive part of learning, and perseverance is essential when solving problems

• Technology should be used responsibly, safely, and with respect for others

• Creativity is valued as much as technical skill in computing

• No child should ‘leap-frog’ technology. Everyone should know how to use a laptop as well as a tablet.

Subject Aims

• Encourage curiosity and creativity by allowing children to explore technology, ask questions, and create their own digital content

• Develop problem-solving skills and resilience by teaching pupils that mistakes are part of learning and perseverance is important

• Promote digital responsibility and online safety so children understand how to stay safe, protect personal information, and behave respectfully online

• Build computational thinking skills such as logical reasoning, pattern recognition, decomposition, and sequencing in age-appropriate ways

• Support collaboration and communication by encouraging pupils to work together, share ideas, and explain their thinking

• Ensure inclusion and accessibility so all children feel confident and capable in computing, regardless of background or ability

• Foster independence and confidence by helping pupils become self-reliant and responsible users of technology

• Increase real-world awareness by showing how computing impacts everyday life, society, and future careers

• Teach ethical use of technology, including respect for digital work, fairness, and understanding consequences of digital actions

• Maintain enjoyment and engagement so computing is fun, motivating, and builds a positive attitude toward learning

Achievements

• Royal Society Grant money to design, create and use air quality monitors through Raspberry Pis

At the Glapton Academy, we successfully applied for a grant from the Royal Society Project. We partnered with Nottingham Trent University (Computer Sciences) to design, create and program air quality monitors using a small computer called a Raspberry Pi. We are going to measure the air quality outside and around the school, analyse the data and present our findings. So far, we have learned to code in a programming language called ‘Python’, designed and 3D printed cases for our hardware and programmed a code to measure the air quality. Out next step is to place them outside for a week and see what happens!