Computing

INTENT

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision, which aims to enable all pupils, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. We aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever changing digital world. Our vision is to prepare our pupils to be ‘lifelong learners’ with the confidence and ability to develop their skills and understanding when meeting challenges. Our computing curriculum will provide pupils with the skills and opportunities to prepare for an ever changing digital world which will result in our pupils to be online-safe, online- inspired, and online-confident as well as understanding technology. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during pupils’ time in school to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed.

IMPLEMENTATION

We follow the 'Rising Stars' scheme of work, which supports the National Curriculum guidance. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all pupils. Our teachers are clear with pupils’ prior learning and future learning. To ensure a broad range of skills and understanding, Computing is taught across three main strands: digital literacy, computer science and information technology. As part of information technology, pupils learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through computing for example writing and presenting as well as exploring art and design using multimedia. Within digital literacy, pupils develop practical skills in the safe use of computing and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems for example understanding safe use of internet, networks and email. In computer science we teach pupils to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. Online safety is an integral part of our computing curriculum and online safety procedures are communicated with all staff and parents.

We are proud to have a computing suite which is utilised daily by classes as well as each class resourced with their own lap tops for small groups which are used across the curriculum daily. 

IMPACT

After the implementation of this robust computing curriculum, pupils will be digitally literate and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform. They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly – safely. The biggest impact we want on our children is that they understand the consequences of using the internet and that they are also aware of how to keep themselves safe online.

As children become more confident in their abilities in Computing, they will become more independent and key life skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking and self-evaluation become second nature.