Computing
Curriculum Intent
Technology is everywhere and will go on to play a pivotal part in our students' future. As a society, we are becoming ever more reliant on technology in every aspect of our lives and are dependent on being comfortable with the use and understanding of computers. With that in mind, it is imperative that children leave school with a good grounding of computational thinking and problem solving so they are prepared for opportunities that will arrive their way.
‘A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.... 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.’
-Computing Programme of Study, National Curriculum
Pupils at Mosborough will be given regular opportunities to apply fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, building on their knowledge progressively each year. They will be supported to analyse problems in computational terms and allowed opportunities to experience writing computer programs and explore how such problems can be solved. Across a variety of software and technologies, pupils will be provided with engaging contexts in which they have freedom to develop their creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
We want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. Whilst ensuring they understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with online experiences, we want children to develop as respectful, responsible and confident users of technology, aware of measures that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe online.
Implementation
We use and adapt the ‘Sheffield Primary Computing Scheme of Work’ as a vehicle to deliver computing lessons. This scheme provides a comprehensive guide which outlines the concepts, knowledge and skills that pupils will embed over time.
The overview for each year group is broken down into 6 key stands. These strands fall under the areas of ‘Digital Literacy, Online Safety and ICT’ and ‘Computational Thinking’. The units for each year group are sequential in how they develop and extend pupils’ skills, with objectives and outcomes that promote creativity and challenge. The strands mentioned above can be taught in any order throughout the year, with teachers given the flexibility to select how best to incorporate computing into other subjects and topics.
Our computing curriculum is delivered mostly through discrete sessions that allow children to develop depth in their knowledge and skills, whilst cross-curricular links are sought out to make links across topics. Pupils work towards an end of unit project, which refines and embeds their skills in meaningful contexts.
Throughout our computing teaching, key concepts may be taught and modelled through the use of ‘unplugged’ activities. This time away from a physical computer, using physical objects that can be touched, manipulated and described, allow pupils to explore concepts, ask questions and embed key computing skills. They are supported in deepening their understanding of what can seem very abstract concepts.
Our online safety curriculum combines themes of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World. It makes direct links to the RSHE curriculum also taught at Mosborough and supports pupils to make real world connections and think responsibly about how we use technology.
Impact
The impact and measure of our computing curriculum will be that pupils at Mosborough will view technology as a resource that, when used responsibly, can open up possibilities and enrich their lives. They will be digitally literate and confident in manipulating a variety of technologies, remaining undaunted as technology continues to advance and change.
They will be enthused about working with technology and have developed their skills in problem solving, thinking analytically and how to tackle complex tasks creatively and efficiently. These are skills that they will be able to transfer to many aspects of their learning.
Through our computing and online safety curriculum, our pupils will be able to navigate the online world safely and responsibly, understanding the importance of being responsible online. When discussing current issues within technology, they will be well informed and reflective.
The coverage for each year group is shown below.
The outcomes of our computing education will meet the National Curriculum and ensure our 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
- can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology
