Through our computing curriculum at Biggin Hill we aim to give our pupils the life-skills that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way in order to flourish. We want the use of technology to support learning across the entire curriculum and to ensure that our curriculum is accessible to every child. Not only do we want them to be digitally literate and competent end-users of technology but through our computer science lessons we want them to develop creativity, resilience and problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
At Biggin Hill, computing is taught as discreet lessons by a specialised teacher. The computing curriculum is delivered through a scheme of work which follows the National Curriculum. It teaches pupils to create programs, systems and a range of content while encouraging them to express themselves and develop their ideas. There is an emphasis on how what is learnt can be used in a future working environment. Class teachers integrate Computing into other areas of the curriculum and pupils have the opportunity to use different pieces of equipment and apps in other lessons. Online Safety is an important part of our curriculum and is an ongoing theme throughout the year. We celebrate Online Safety Week each year and teach age appropriate E-safety lessons during this week.
Year 1
| Autumn | iCode Level 1Pupils will use games to learn key coding skills. The sessions will start by looking at everyday tasks and thinking about the thought behind a series of problems within the app 'Kodable'. This will culminate in students learning how to use the coding language 'Blockly', the app 'Hopscotch' and using the word algorithm with ease. |
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| Spring | ILoop Level 1This is an introduction to basic songwriting skills using the app 'GarageBand'. Students will work initially as a class creating a class song before moving into pairs or small groups to create a short composition using a variety of instruments and sounds available within the Apps. |
| Summer | IAnimate - Lite |
Year 2
| Autumn | iCode Level 2Building on the pupils' knowledge of Blockly from Lite Level 1, pupils will need to apply additional logical thinking to create algorithms within their new more advanced app Hopscotch. More advanced computing elements will be covered, and programs designed by the pupils will be able to showcase each group's understanding. |
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| Spring | IGenre Level 2Pupils will learn about a selection of different styles of popular music from the past 60 years and be tasked with creating their own versions using the app 'GarageBand'. Pupils will learn how to recognise different instruments and sounds associated with different genres |
| Summer | IAnimate - Lite |
Year 3
| Autumn | iLogic Level 1Pupils will use a variety of apps to learn key coding skills. They will learn how to use the coding language 'Blockly' to introduce key programming elements such as steps, loops, basic logic and functions such as 'if' statements. This will progress into using code to create Spirograph style artwork. |
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| Spring | ISong Level 1This is an introduction to basic songwriting skills using the GarageBand app. Pupils will work in pairs or small groups to create a short composition using a variety of instruments and sounds available in the app. Tempo will be addressed, both in relation to musical genre and how it affects the feel and impact of a song. Musical and rhythmical patterns will be developed, and pupils will appraise each other's work with a view to implementing changes and improving their compositions. |
| Summer | IOffice |
Year 4
| Autumn | iFunction Level 2iFunction looks at creating programs to solve real-world problems. Building upon their knowledge of 'Blockly' from Level 1 they will apply it to create games, control solutions and other problems mimicking real application of programming. We will also introduce written programming languages and learn basic syntax. |
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| Spring | IDance Level 2Participants will begin listening to a variety of popular dance music styles and analysing key elements that distinguish one genre from another. These findings will then be applied when students create a short composition in their chosen genre. Elements such as dynamics and pitch will be explored and applied to the compositions. The concept of the 'Audio Spectrum' will be introduced and participants will begin to use stereo-panning and level controls to improve their music's balance and texture. |
| Summer | IOffice |
Year 5
| Autumn | iFunction Level 2Advanced iFunction looks at creating programs to solve real world problems. Building upon their knowledge of 'Blockly' from Level 1 they will apply it to creating classic arcade games, control solutions and other problems mimicking real applications of programming. Pupils will also learn how to expand their code during the latter part of the course. |
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| Spring | IDance Level 2Participants will begin listening to a variety of popular dance music styles and analysing key elements that distinguish one genre from another. These findings will then be applied when students create a short composition in their chosen genre. Elements such as dynamics and pitch will be explored and applied to the compositions. The concept of the 'Audio Spectrum' will be introduced and participants will begin to use stereo-panning and level controls to improve their music's balance and texture. |
| Summer | IOffice |
Year 6
| Autumn | iFunction Level 2Advanced iFunction looks at creating programs to solve real world problems. Building upon their knowledge of 'Blockly' from Level 1 they will apply it to creating classic arcade games, control solutions and other problems mimicking real applications of programming. Pupils will also learn how to expand their code during the latter part of the course |
|---|---|
| Spring | IDance Level 2Participants will begin listening to a variety of popular dance music styles and analysing key elements that distinguish one genre from another. These findings will then be applied when students create a short composition in their chosen genre. Elements such as dynamics and pitch will be explored and applied to the compositions. The concept of the 'Audio Spectrum' will be introduced and participants will begin to use stereo-panning and level controls to improve their music's balance and texture. |
| Summer | IOffice |