Computing
Intent
Our aim is for all pupils to be masters of technology. Technology is all around us and will play a pivotal part in our pupils’ lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely.
Our goal is to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to, create, manage, organise, and collaborate. Through our curriculum, we intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent and have a range of transferable skills at a suitable level for the future workplace, but also to be responsible online citizens.
Implementation
The computing scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of Key Stage Attainment targets outlined in the National curriculum. It is designed with three strands which run throughout:
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Digital literacy
Our curriculum map outlines how the individual units taught cover each of the national curriculum attainment targets as well as each of these three strands.
Our Progression of skills document shows the skills that are taught within each year group and how these skills develop year on year to ensure attainment targets are securely met by the end of each key stage.
The Kapow scheme is organised into five key areas, creating a cyclical route through which pupils can develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning:
- Computer systems and networks
- Programming
- Creating media
- Data handling
- Online safety
The implementation of Kapow ensures a broad and balanced coverage of the National curriculum requirements, and our ‘Skills showcase’ units provide pupils with the opportunity to learn and apply transferable skills. Some units have been created to link to other subjects such as science, art, and music to enable the development of further transferable skills and genuine cross-curricular learning.
Differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning are available when required. Knowledge organisers for each unit support pupils in building a foundation of factual knowledge by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary.
Computing is taught weekly with discrete lessons, this ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics. We have Chromebooks, iPads and interactive whiteboards to ensure that all year groups have the opportunity to use a range of devices and programs for many purposes across the wider curriculum.
Internet safety is taken extremely seriously and is embedded within our curriculum. We have an E-Safety Policy that provides guidance for teachers and children about how to use the internet safely. Each year group participates in lessons on e-safety, children understand how to stay safe when using technology and Internet safety days are held regularly to address current issues.
Impact
The impact of our scheme can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives. Evidence is gathered in class memory books where children also reflect on their own learning.
After the implementation of our curriculum, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in the ever-increasing digital world:
- Be critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices.
- Understand the importance that computing will have going forward as global citizens in both work life and social futures.
- Understand how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner.
- Understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity and build character.
- Show a clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National curriculum - computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
- Be able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team.
- Build resilience through problem solving.
- Be aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible and appropriate manner.
- Have an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another.
