Overview
‘Computers are now part of everyday life. For most of us, technology is essential to our lives, at home and at work. ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill children must be taught if they are to be ready for the workplace and able to participate effectively in this digital world’.
(Simon Peyton-Jones, Chairman, Computing At School)
As a rights respecting school, we believe that every child is entitled to an outstanding education (Article 28). At Delves Lane Primary School, we believe in providing a broad and balanced curriculum which is firmly rooted in rich learning experiences and enrichment. By taking this approach, we allow our children to develop knowledge, skills and talents in all areas; providing children with the tools necessary for life in modern Britain and enabling them to reach their full potential (Article 29). The Local area and children’s own community, its heritage and traditions are an integral part of the curriculum we offer. We frequently engage with the local community to develop social, moral, spiritual and cultural aspects of learning.
Intent
Our over-arching aim through our teaching of Computing is to enthuse children about the subject and develop children who are computer-literate and think like computer scientists.
A high-quality computing education equips 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.
Through teaching Computing, we intend to teach children to:
- understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
Implementation
In order to implement our curriculum intent for Computing, we use planning units taken from the Teach Computing curriculum produced by the National centre for Computing Education (NCCE). The Teach Computing curriculum is structured into units for each year group, and each unit is broken down into weekly lessons. Units can generally be taught in any order, with the exception of programming, where concepts and skills rely on prior knowledge and experiences.
We have chosen this approach as it:
- Offers engaging and motivating lessons and resources as well as planning support for teachers
- Provides a coherent and structured approach to Computing which is sequential, offering appropriate progression as children move through the school
- Offers consistency of key knowledge, skills and vocabulary across the school
- Offers pedagogical consistency
Children will have weekly lessons dedicated to Computing, however are encouraged to use digital resources across the curriculum to support and further their learning.
Impact
As a school, we assess the impact of our curriculum in a number of ways.
This may be done through:
- Marking and giving feedback on pupils’ work
- Scrutiny of teacher’s planning and/ or books
- Lesson observations
- Learning walk
- Pupil discussions
- Subject leader’s red, amber green (RAG) rating following monitoring
Our assessment of impact will be evident in our children who will:
- Be able to access a range of technology safely and creatively
- Be confident when using a wide range of hardware and software
- Understand the significance of Online Safety and have effective strategies to keep themselves and others safe
- Be equipped to use technology to enhance their learning across the curriculum and in later life
- Be productive and positive digital citizens, demonstrating respect for others
- Be able to think flexibly and approach problems with a computational thinking mindset
Curriculum Map
Computing in EYFS
Despite computing not being explicitly mentioned within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which focuses on the learning and development of children from birth to age five, there are many opportunities for young children to use technology to solve problems and produce creative outcomes.
Computing is relevant to the below Early Learning Goals from Development Matters, however children are provided frequent access to technology for them to explore and investigate through creative play. Furthermore, children develop problem solving skills, explore instructions in communication and language and learn to tinker with new devices throughout their EYFS experience, skills that are relevant to the KS1 and KS2 curriculum which follows.
- Children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools
- Children select and use technology for particular purposes.