Computing

Intent

At Park Spring Primary we want children to have a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to show the opportunities technology has to offer.  Children will be skilled in using a range of software and hardware effectively, as well as being able to access new programmes confidently. Tinkering with software and programs means children will develop confidence when encountering new technology, which is an important skill in an ever changing and evolving technology world. This will mean children are digitally competent and have transferable skills suitable for their future workplaces or careers. Park Spring children will also be good digital citizens by understanding how to stay safe in an online world, and know how to manage risks online, allowing them to be responsible online citizens.

Implementation

Computing at Park Spring Primary school is taught in three terms out of the year. However online safety is taught both discreetly through computing (in ever term by ever year group) and throughout the year with links to other subject areas such as PSHE.

The computing scheme at Park Spring Primary school is organised into three strands of Computing, which helps children develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and rebuilding on previous learning. The three strands of computing are:

• Digital Citizenship 

• Algorithms and Programming 

• Media Processing 

 

Digital citizenship builds on the Digital Literacy and Citizenship scheme provided by South West Grid for Learning, and delivers a combination of E-Safety and online understanding. This strand of Computing is supported by the PSHE curriculum, and feeds into the school’s overarching Personal Development curriculum. 

Algorithms and programming uses a range of resources, including Barefoot, microbits, Lego WeDo and Code.org to introduce pupils to computational thinking and logically solving problems. 

Media Processing provides a progression to children’s learning when using a computer. The Media Processing KPI’s define what level children should be working at for each year group, and includes the use of Office products, as well as digital media such as videos and images. This element of computing is delivered mainly through cross-curricular teaching, but when taught, is a defined Lesson Objective.  

Across computing the children also learn about a computer scientist of the half term to encourage more children into this career specifically girls. The computer scientist are linked across other areas of the curriculum and are discussed in every lesson across the algorithm and programming lozenges.

Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired a group work as well as unplugged and digital activities. Lessons are differentiated to ensure that all pupils have access to the lessons and opportunities are used to stretch and challenge pupils.

Impact

Outcomes in the computer curriculum allows children to:

• be critical thinkers.
• able to understand how to make appropriate digital choices in the future.
• understand the importance that computing will have in their future both in their educational and working life.
• understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity.
• understand the different types of software and hardware that they can use and how to use it.
• be aware of online safety issues and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible manner.

The impact of the curriculum is monitored through both formative and summative assessment. Each algorithms and programming unit has a pre and post assessment.

Computing LTP

Computing long term plan

National curriculum guidance

National Curriculum for computing