Computing
Computing
Curriculum Intent for Computing
Technology is everywhere, constantly evolving, and will play a pivotal part in children’s lives. Therefore, we aim to model and educate our children on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our children to be creators not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. We want our children to understand that there is always a choice with using technology and as a school we utilise technology to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for many issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education. Our knowledge rich curriculum is balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively, which will enable our pupils become skillful computer scientists. Computing skills are taught throughout the curriculum to make learning creative and accessible; rather than always being taught in discreet lessons. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of tools to best express their understanding and by Upper Key Stage 2, our aim is for children have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set by teachers.
How We Teach Computing
We follow the National Curriculum programme of study for computing. The computing curriculum is separated into three strands, organised in following way:
|
Computer Science |
Information Technology |
Digital Literacy |
|
Computational Thinking Coding / Programming Computer Networks Artificial Intelligence |
Word Processing / Typing Data Handling Presentations, Web Design and eBook Creation
Animation Video Creation Photography and Digital Art Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
Sound |
Self Image and Identity Online Relationships Online Reputation Online Bullying Managing Online Information Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle Privacy and Security Copyright and Ownership |
Our progression document ensures that every year, learning in all areas of the computing curriculum builds progressively, with concepts being revisited to ensure deep learning. These objectives may be achieved through other curriculum areas (e.g. word processing in English, coding in DT) or be taught through a discreet computing project. Computing projects follow the DARES (Design, Apply, Refine, Evaluate, Share) structure which encourages pupils to be critical thinkers, problems solvers and computational thinkers while creating purposeful content to demonstrate how learning can be applied across the wider curriculum.
SEND
Our computing curriculum is ambitious for all children and teacher assessments are integral to planning to ensure they progress through the knowledge and skills set out in the progression documents. Adaptations for children with SEND are made in a variety of ways according to the individual needs of the child. This may include: additional scaffolding or adult support; pre-teaching specific concepts, knowledge or vocabulary; giving children the opportunity to present their learning in an alternative way; providing stem sentences, word banks or writing frames to support tasks and carefully selecting questions which are suited to the child’s starting points and needs which enable them to meet their targets. The most able children are given opportunities to build their skills through additional workshops, our ‘Digital Leaders’ club and opportunities for peer coaching.
Enrichment
We provide enrichment opportunities throughout the year to enhance our computing curriculum. We celebrate STEM week each year where the children are immersed in various STEM activities, including visits from companies such as ‘Techy Tots’ and ‘STEM innovation’. We also have online safety assemblies throughout the year.
Websites to support computing at home for children:
