Computing
Intent:
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 learn well if they are to be ready for the workplace and able to participate effectively in this digital world. At Rushy Meadow Primary Academy, our children use technology to enhance and support learning in all areas of the curriculum, meaning that children need to be safe, quick and confident in using technology. Our computing curriculum needs to enable pupils to develop skills needed to be able to confidently use technology outside of a computing lesson.
Children at Rushy Meadow Primary Academy start school with a knowledge of how to use most basic devices, as the children progress throughout the school, their knowledge of hardware, software and the internet expands at a rapid rate. In order to meet their needs and to safeguard our children, our computing curriculum needs to be robust and needs to focus regularly on the use of social media, the internet and be able to adapt to current trends and concerns. We teach the computing curriculum through a specially designed programme, adapted to fit the needs of our children as required, to ensure they are well prepared to communicate and apply their skills effectively across a wide range of subjects, media and platforms as they progress on to secondary school.
Implementation:
We teach computing as a bespoke subject with weekly lessons for each class from Year 1 onwards. Each half term theme includes activities to capture the interests of our diverse learners while developing the skills required.
We follow the computing National Curriculum, teaching computing skills in a carefully planned progression over the years, each year building on the previous one. Our computing curriculum promotes curiosity and feeds their inquisitive minds. Our Early Years children develop their curiosity of technology through half termly focuses that enable the use of technology to be developed and promoted alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.
There is an ongoing cycle of learning and progression in computing which allows children to become fully immersed in the theme each half term. Lessons build upon skills and there is a progression of key vocabulary that is taught and used throughout each year. We introduce our pupils to each of these skills when developmentally appropriate, and we develop their skills progressively throughout their primary years. Teachers also seek out every opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills our pupils have learnt across the curriculum through a range of opportunities, supporting other subjects within our curriculum.
Children are given opportunities to embed their computing knowledge through computing activities and also through cross curricular approaches. Opportunities to use, develop and explore computing skills at home are also promoted through the used of 1:1 devices in UKS2.
Computing themes have a final activity or event that allows children to showcase the learning and breadth of knowledge that has taken place in each half term.
Pupil voice is used at the beginning and at the end of the year to reflect upon learning, skills and also enjoyment of the computing curriculum. Specific software can be used to reflect upon the skills and knowledge that has been developed in each half term, this could include NearPod, Kahoot, Socrative or many more.
There are opportunities throughout the school years for visitors, trips and workshops that can enhance the teaching and learning of computing. Children have opportunities to present their learning in a variety of ways and to a range of audiences that might include peers, parents or visitors.
Impact:
We measure the impact of our computing curriculum by ensuring that all our children understand: how to use a range of platforms effectively; the huge value, potential disadvantages and consequences of using the internet: and how to keep themselves safe online. As the computing subject lead, this will be monitored and evaluated through the use of evidence collecting via Seesaw and through collecting pupil voice.
Our children 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. 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. They will also become proficient users of technology who are able to work both independently and collaboratively. In this way, we prepare them fully for transition to secondary school.