Computing Curriculum Intent

Through our computing curriculum we aim to give all our children the life-skills that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a creative, as well as responsible and safe way in order to flourish. Our curriculum recognises that all children have the right to learning experiences that balance all aspects of Computing. We acknowledge that technological devices and software are an integral part of everyday life and that society is becoming increasingly reliant on technology to guide, innovate and develop practice in many sectors of work, education, and daily life.

We want our children to be able to operate in the 21st century workplace and to know the career opportunities with Digital organisations in the area.

Our aim is for our children to become autonomous, independent users of computing technologies, gaining confidence and enjoyment from their activities. 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 Computing lessons we want them to develop creativity, resilience and problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. We want our pupils to have a breadth of experience to develop their understanding of themselves as individuals within their community but also as members of a wider global community and as responsible digital citizens.

Computing Curriculum Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive. Our implementation of the computing curriculum is in line with 2014 Primary National Curriculum requirements for KS1 and KS2 and the Foundation Stage Curriculum in England.

Computing teaching will deliver these requirements throughout our half-termly themes. Our Computing progression model is broken down into three strands that make up the computing curriculum. These are Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Computer Science underlines the knowledge and skills relating to programming, coding, algorithms and computational thinking. Information Technology underlines the knowledge and skills relating to communication, multimedia and data representation and handling. Digital Literacy underlines the knowledge and skills relating to online safety and technology uses all of which are covered whether combined or discreetly.

We use and follow the NCCE Teach computing scheme ensuring consistency of knowledge, vocabulary and skills progression throughout the school. We recognise that computing is a specialist subject and not all teachers are computing specialists. We are building our staff’s knowledge and skills base through training sessions.

Teachers and pupils are also aware of the importance of health and safety and pupils are always supervised when using technology and accessing the internet. We provide a variety of opportunities for computing learning inside and outside the classroom. Computing and safeguarding go hand in hand, and we place a specific focus on internet safety inside and outside of the classroom. In addition to all pupils studying an online safety unit through their computing lessons, every year we also take part in National Safer Internet Day in February. Internet Safety assemblies are also held as well as regular parent internet safety communication to respond to any recent developments.

Computing Curriculum Impact

Our approach to the curriculum results in a relevant, engaging, and high-quality computing education. We want our children to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well-being.

Evidence of pupils’ learning through both reviewing their knowledge and skills digitally and through observation, is used to feed into teachers’ future planning, and as a topic-based approach continues to be developed, teachers are able to revisit misconceptions and knowledge gaps in computing when teaching other curriculum areas. This supports varied paces of learning and ensures all pupils make good progress.

By the time pupils leave our school they pupils should feel confident in using a range of technology. They should be able to recognise how to keep themselves safe online, and they should understand the importance of being an exceptionally good digital citizen. Pupils should have a sound knowledge of up-to-date technologies and how they can be used to enhance their learning and the curriculum.

Subject Progression Map

Subject progression maps can be found here