Computing
The pupils at Dove Huse Academy are introduced to the wider Computing Curriculum which encompasses a blend of traditional ICT Office based skills and the new Computer Science National curriculum.
Through carefully planned sequential work personalised to pupils’ needs and abilities, pupils apply and challenge their understanding across a broad and balanced range of contexts.
Through these lessons, our aim is that pupils will:
- Be prepared to participate independently in a rapidly changing technological world
- Be equipped with skills so they can fully participate in society safely
- Develop skills that enable them to be employed across different sectors
- Develop and improve their independent problem solving, resilience & communication skills
- Gain an understanding of Computer Science and Computational thinking fundamentals by exploring algorithms and coding programs
- Gain qualifications that are best suited to their needs and abilities as well as being relevant and ambitious in preparing them for adulthood and future employment
Key Stage 3
The Key Stage 3 curriculum introduces pupils to the basics of Computer Science and traditional office-based ICT applications.
Pupils will develop a range of functional ICT skills using Microsoft Office within real-life contexts. Pupils develop business orientated skills using a variety of presentation software, word processors, document publishers and spreadsheet software.
The learning in Key Stage 3 Computing is often project based, set around real-life scenarios, allowing pupils to explore each software package in way that is unique to the learner.
Pupils are also introduced to Computer Science fundamentals and explore algorithms, computational thinking, abstraction and coding through a number of different application.
Each pupil explores computational algorithms within blocky code applications, Scratch and text-based Python programming language. Pupils also explore the relationship between coding programs and hardware integration with using BBC Micro bits for a number of exciting class-based projects.
Key Stage 4
All pupils in Key Stage 4 at Dove House Academy undertake the NCFE Essential Digital Skills course.
This course builds upon the fundamentals of Computing taught to pupils in Key Stage 3 and helps to prepare our learners for life in the outside world.
The purpose of this qualification is to allow learners to demonstrate understanding of and competency in the essential digital skills they need for life. It will enable learners to engage with digital services and products in everyday life.
Over the duration of the course, pupils will develop skills in the following areas:
- Using devices and handling information
- Creating and editing
- Communicating
- Transacting
- Being safe and responsible online