Posted on: 23 Mar 2023 by Weston Green School
We recognise that Computing prepares pupils for life in a rapidly changing world. At Weston Green, Computing is used to explore, analyse, exchange and present information creatively and teaches pupils to use their initiative, whilst promoting independent thinking and learning. Pupils enjoy using Computing throughout our school.
Computing teaching is twofold; firstly to teach and extend knowledge of Computing and secondly to support the curriculum.
We are a Chromebook school. All staff and children have been trained to use Google Tools to support them. Each classroom is equipped with a new screen and a Chromecast and children are encouraged to cast their work on the main screen so we can share and explore the task collaboratively.
We have a range of Computing tools that we use on a regular basis:
Google Classroom
The children access homework through Google Classroom and use word publishing programmes to write in an arrangement of different genres such as newspaper reports, facts files and leaflets. The children use the Stream to publish their own work and to receive peer feedback.
Kami
Kami is an online document annotation and markup tool. You can highlight, underline, and strikethrough text in PDF and other document formats. You can also add text boxes, shapes and images. Kami is used by teachers to model and share good practice. The children enjoy using Kami as part of their homework to annotate pdf documents.
Planet BOFA
Planet BOFA is used in Upper Prep (Y5 and Y6) for 11 Plus preparation. This personalised, adaptive, online tutoring system delivers bespoke, dynamic learning that individually guides each student to 11 Plus success.
Purple Mash
Purple Mash is a creative online space aimed at primary school teachers and pupils, which aims to inspire creative learning both at school and at home.
Times Tables Rock Stars
Times Tables Rock Stars (TT Rock Stars) is a carefully sequenced programme of daily times tables practice. Each week concentrates on a different times table, with a recommended consolidation week for rehearsing the tables that have recently been practised every third week or so. This format has very successfully boosted times tables recall speed for hundreds of thousands of pupils over the last 8 years in over 16,000 schools – both primary and secondary – worldwide. TT Rock Stars is used to reinforce children’s knowledge of timetables facts, set both in the classroom and as part of their homework.
Watch this short video to see the children demonstrating how they learn through programming.