Computing

INTENT

The computing curriculum is a knowledge rich curriculum, based on the National curriculum and focused on three main aspects: 

● Digital Literacy and Online Safety 

● Computational Thinking 

● Computers and Hardware 

By focusing on the knowledge and skills, pupils’ learning is focused upon using technology safely, competently and with confidence, instilling a love for the subject and preparing pupils for further learning and progression of skills at KS3 and beyond. We aim that all pupils: 

● can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. ● can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. ● can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems. 

● are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. 

● have competence in coding for a variety of practical and inventive purposes, including the application of ideas within other subjects. 

● have the ability to connect with others safely and respectfully, understanding the need to act within the law and with moral and ethical integrity. 

● have an understanding of the connected nature of devices. 

● have the ability to communicate ideas well by using applications and devices throughout the curriculum. 

● have the ability to collect, organise and manipulate data effectively.

IMPLEMENTATION

Pupils are taught the essential knowledge and skills through the KAPOW scheme of work in weekly computing lessons and using computing as a tool for learning across the whole curriculum. 

The computing curriculum allows children to develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the above concepts in a progressive way, showing a clear difference between pupils’ knowledge as they move through the school. For example, children are taught about how to programme a Bee-Bot in year 1, progressing to using Scratch Jnr in year 2,3 and 4 (with differing levels of complexity), programming a micro-bit in year 5 and moving onto Python in year 6. The units of work are taught in sequence, sometimes adapted to fit in with the order of teaching of other subjects, taking a cross curricular approach. 

Pupils develop their skills and knowledge through both plugged and unplugged lessons. In unplugged lessons, children develop computational thinking skills without going anywhere near a computer. Pupils have the opportunity to put their learning to use while designing algorithms, coding games, editing videos, learning about computer networks identifying and fixing bugs. General thinking skills are also developed through lessons that encourage the children to predict what will happen when changes are made to software or hardware.

Lessons are also mapped to the Education for a Connected World framework which provides guidance for teaching children to live knowledgeably, responsibly and safely in a digital world.

IMPACT

The curriculum is the progression model. If pupils are able to demonstrate they are able to know and remember more against our curriculum expectations they are making good progress and attaining expected standards. 

During and/after lessons, pupils are assessed through informal assessment techniques: questioning, conferencing, reviewing written work against learning objective/success criteria, short retrieval activities, flashbacks. 

At the end of units, pupils are assessed using high quality conversations and class based tasks.