Computing
Please click icon above for the Computing Curriculum Progression document
Intent
At Five Ways Primary School, we are dedicated to providing our pupils with a comprehensive computing curriculum that equips them with the vital skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the digital era. We strive to maximise opportunities for all by providing as wide a computing curriculum as possible, with opportunities for both ‘hands on’ and theoretical experience. It is essential that we introduce students to coding and programming concepts (as stated in the National Curriculum), nurturing an early interest in computer science and technology through age-appropriate activities and resources. We aim to weave the computing experience into the fabric of each pupil’s learning in all subjects, enhancing the wider curriculum and providing inspiration and purpose to the theoretical learning. We aim to instil each pupil with the confidence to independently explore technology by setting meaningful tasks, providing a clear grounding of principles, and supporting the pupil to problem solve for themselves. Alongside the benefits of technology, we acknowledge potential pitfalls and problems. We want to educate our pupils about responsible and safe internet use, providing them with the knowledge and skills to safeguard themselves online and make informed decisions in the digital world and in preparation for their experience on social media. We aim to ensure that teachers are using their skills and knowledge of progression to adapt the scheme into functional lessons for their classes, ensuring they meet the needs of all pupils.
Implementation
At Five Ways Primary School we have adopted the Teach Computing curriculum created by the Raspberry Pi Foundation on behalf of the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). Pupils are taught the age-related objectives outlined in the computing section of the National Curriculum. The Computing curriculum is divided into three strands, each strand must have equal coverage across the school year:
Computer Science – the understanding of coding and programming across a range of physical devices and digital resources.
Information Technology – the range of skills required to operate and manipulate specific programs, systems, and content.
Digital Literacy – the knowledge required to use technology safely and to evaluate and react to any potential risks of the online/digital world.
As they progress through the school, children build on their prior learning within each strand, covering new or deeper knowledge and developing their technical skills.
In Years 1-4, it is taught half termly to half a class, with the other half of the class receiving the lessons in the second half of the term. In Years 5 and 6, it is taught weekly to children in half class groups. This allows teachers to focus more on the needs of the children, making sure they fully understand each unit before progressing to the next. Children learn through hands-on experiences using different digital technologies and programmes. Computing is taught by a small number of teachers, allowing them to become experts in the computing scheme.
ImpactBy the end of year 6, our pupils will be able to confidently use technology to accomplish a wide variety of goals, both at home and in school. They will be able to talk confidently about their work and share their work with others. Children will have a secure and comprehensive knowledge of the implications of technology and digital systems especially in terms of keeping themselves safe online. This is important in a society where technologies and trends are rapidly evolving. Teachers make continual assessments during each unit of work and this is used to inform an end of year assessment. Computing work can be saved to Google classroom, allowing teachers to assess progress over time. Google classroom also allows teachers to mark work, assign grades, and give feedback. Children are assessed as to whether they are at or not at the relevant age-related expectations.
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