Computing Lead: Ben Hamblin

What is Computing?

Computing teaches pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Our Curriculum Intent

Our computing curriculum will enable our children to embrace the challenges and opportunities they face in a life full of ever-changing technology. In doing so, they will develop their knowledge around how to be safe online and computer literate. They will understand the importance of respecting themselves and others and know their responsibility to ensure mental wellness of all. Our children will build the skills too confidently and competently use different interfaces and programs to communicate, problem solve and collect information.

Our Curriculum Implementation

As a school, we use the resources and planning created by the National Centre for Computing Education through their TeachComputing scheme.  Computing lessons are taught as discrete lessons to allow the specific skills being taught to be focused on. We feel that this is important to allow children to master each skill they encounter. Each unit is focused around a theme which will cover one or more of the National Curriculum statements.

The children have access to a wide range of resources including iPads, laptops and BeeBots, and we are always seeking to widen our breadth of teaching resources, including through the purchase of Crumble controllers and Micro:Bit computers to support our upper Key Stage 2 children in their computer science learning. Children are taught to be safe users of technology through digital literacy computing lessons, PSHE lessons and discrete e-Safety lessons supported by ProjectEvolve. The support children in considering areas such as online bullying; privacy and security; copyright and ownership; and managing online reputations.

All children from Years 1-6 have Office365 accounts which give them access to a wide range of tools and applications: this also provides an opportunity for collaboration. 

Whilst lessons are taught discretely, the skills and knowledge developed through the computing curriculum can be applied to other areas of the primary curriculum including art, DT, maths and music. The progression of skills document sets out the key skills and knowledge that it is important for all children to have by the end of the unit. Not all children will work through these units in order due to the mixed-age nature of our classes. The rolling program sets out when children will be taught each unit. 

Our Curriculum Impact

The evaluation of learning takes place in a number of ways:

• Assessment takes place throughout each lesson, using formative strategies such as asking challenging questions,; verbal and written feedback; observation of children’s work; and self and peer assessment.
• Many lessons begin with a retrieval task to support low-stakes quizzing and allows teachers to identify gaps in knowledge.
• The progression of skills document identifies the key skills and knowledge for each unit and support teachers in making judgements after teaching each unit. These judgements are recorded on Insight. 

Curriculum Drivers: