Digital Learning
Digital Learning underpins today’s modern lifestyle and it is essential that all pupils gain the confidence and ability that they need in this subject to prepare them for the challenge of a rapidly changing technological world.
At St Hilary’s we aim to give our pupils the greatest opportunity to become familiar with every aspect of its use in a safe environment. We provide opportunities to explore and investigate the use of computing using a broad range of software applications and to develop skills which are transferable. We enable boys and girls to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for pupils to be able to use information in a discriminating, effective and enjoyable way. Computing skills are a major factor in enabling pupils to be confident, creative and independent learners.
At St Hilary’s we recognise the important skills that the boys and girls need in Computer Science, and look to develop these to help them in other subjects. Areas such as computational thinking enable the pupils to develop their skills in pattern recognition, decomposition, abstraction and evaluating solutions, all skills which help within Mathematics. Developing pupils’ ability to think critically when designing algorithms, allows the development of skills such as; searching, sorting, sequencing, selection and logical reasoning - all skills that are used every day across many subjects by children at St Hilary’s.
Computer Science is taught as a discrete subject from Key Stage 1 and by a specialist teacher from Key Stage 2. It is also used as an integral part of many subject areas to enhance teaching and the pupils’ learning. The school is well equipped with a dedicated computing suite comprising of 18 workstations. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards with access to colour laser printing and scanning facilities and digital cameras. Secure wireless network access and internet is available throughout the school. The school internet is secured by a robust firewall to ensure internet safety. There is also a part-time technician to support staff and pupils.
Lessons are age appropriate with an emphasis on learning through a mixture of experimentation and direction. Pupils rapidly acquire the key skills that allow them to become autonomous in their use of computing in support of other subjects in the curriculum. By the time they leave St Hilary’s pupils will, in addition to word processing and desk top publishing skills, have experience in image manipulation, spreadsheets, relational databases, multimedia, programming and using email and the internet.