Computing
The children at Hitherfield regularly interact with a range of contemporary software and hardware to prepare themselves for a future where computing and ICT skills will be increasingly in demand. They are digitally literate and make use of a range of transferable skills when solving problems and facing new challenges.
The teaching of computing is embedded across the curriculum and resources are focused on enhancing our pupils’ ability to communicate, express and present their learning. Every class has daily access to its own laptop, visualiser, desktop computer and set of iPads. Children also have access to indivdual laptops several times a week.
Our pupils are taught the importance of e-safety and how to take appropriate measures when publishing their work and sharing their ideas on the Internet. They all have access to an online learning platform which enables them to access appropriate content at home and are encouraged to use this to consolidate and further their learning experiences.
Children who demonstrate particular strengths are targeted for extra-curricular activities which allow them to interact with industry professionals and further develop their understanding of the significant role computing plays in contemporary society.
In recent years an outstanding team of children from Hitherfield used their expert programming skills to win the London-wide IBM Robo-challenge. Another group of Hitherfield students were top ten finalists in the Microsoft Kodu Cup (out of 380,000 participants across the United Kingdom) and were invited to Microsoft’s UK headquarters in Reading to present their winning game design to one of the company’s directors.