Intent

At Gulworthy Academy, the planning and teaching of computing is an essential part of the curriculum; a subject that not only is taught as subject in its own right but is also woven through and should be an integral part of all learning. Computing, in general, is a significant part of everyone’s daily life and children should be able to discerningly make use of the latest technologies to support them in all aspects of their lives. Computing within our school aims, therefore, to provide a wealth of learning opportunities and transferrable skills explicitly within the computing lesson and across other curriculum subjects. Computing skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners and it is our intention that children have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this.

Our curriculum will:

• Enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information.

• Develop pupil’s appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to, create, manage, organise, and collaborate.
  • Develop the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in a discriminating and effective way. Ensure that children know more, remember more and understand more in
  computing so that they leave primary school computer literate in programming, multimedia, technology in our lives and handling data.
• Develop pupil’s learning in the acquisition of knowledge of the world around them that ensures 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.
• Develop pupils’ confidence when encountering new technology, which is a vital skill in the ever evolving and changing landscape of technology
  • Build a computing curriculum that prepares pupils to live safely and make healthy, positive choices in an increasingly digital British society where pupils can evaluate and apply
  information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems but also to be responsible online citizens.

Implementation

We will have:

• A clear and effective scheme of work delivered, through the use of the Kapow Primary Computing and Toodlebit units of work that provides coverage in line with the National Curriculum and allow children to progress confidently. It’s is organised into five key areas, creating cyclical route through which pupils can develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning: computer systems and networks, programming, creating media, data handling and online safety.
• Teaching and learning will facilitate progression across all key stages within the strands of digital literacy, information technology and computer science.
• Access to resources which aid in the acquisition of skills and knowledge.
• Children will have access to the hardware (computers, tablets, programmable
equipment) and software that they need to develop knowledge and skills of digital systems and their applications
• Children will have the opportunity to explore and respond to key online safety issues such as digital communication, cyber-bullying, online safety, security, extremism, plagiarism and social media.
• Wider Curriculum links and opportunities for the safe use of digital systems are considered in wider curriculum planning such as in RSE in order to meet the objectives of the DfE’s Education for a Connected World Framework.
• Parents are informed when issues relating to online safety arise and further information/support is provided if required

Impact

• Children will be confident users of technology, able to use it to accomplish a wide variety of goals, both at home and in school.
• Children will understand that technology helps showcase their ideas and creativity. They will know that different types of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims.
  • Children will have a secure and comprehensive knowledge of the implications of technology
  and digital systems. This is important in a society where technologies and trends are rapidly evolving.
• Children will be critical thinkers and be able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future.
  • Children will have a strong skill set in digital literacy, information technology and computer science and be able to apply those skills widely.
  • Children will be able to apply the British values of democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, rule of law and liberty when using digital systems.
  • Children will be equipped to be able to make healthy, safe choices when online and be aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible and appropriate manner.

EYFS

It is important in the Early Years to give children a broad, play based experience of computing in a range of contexts, including outdoor play. Children in Early Years settings, experience a wide range of technology throughout their play including; tablets, computers, beebots and interactive whiteboards. They use these forms of technologies to access age appropriate software, to provide opportunities for mark making as well as supporting their imaginative play, often reenacting real life experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Children thrive on the ability to incorporate technology into their learning and through careful planning of their continuous provision. Early Years practitioners are able to provide a number of devices for children to use competently and independently, to support child-led learning. In addition to this, technology is a fantastic tool to enable children to build confidence, control and improve language development through specific online programs. Recording devices can support children to develop their communication and language skills further as well as building simple IT skills. This is particularly useful with children who have English as an additional language or children who have communication challenges.

Long term overview plan for computing at Gulworthy

Progression of knowledge and skills in computing

Vocabulary Progression in computing