Computing Curriculum

The use of information and communication technology is an integral part of our curriculum and is a key skill for everyday life. Computers, tablets, programmable robots, digital and video cameras are a few of the tools that can be used to acquire, organise, store, manipulate, interpret, communicate and present information. At Highfield Primary School we recognise that pupils are entitled to quality hardware and software and a structured and progressive approach to the learning of the knowledge and skills needed to enable them to use it effectively.

  We believe that ICT and computing:

• Gives pupils immediate access to a rich source of materials.
• Can present information in new ways which help pupils understand access and use it more readily.
• Can motivate and enthuse pupils.
• Can help pupils focus and concentrate.
• Offers potential for effective group working.
• Has the flexibility to meet the individual needs and abilities of each pupil.

INTENT

Our intention in teaching computing is that all children will:

• Develop their computing capability, including their knowledge and understanding of the importance of information, of how to select and prepare it in order to communicate with others by using technology.
• Develop their skills in using hardware and software independently and effectively.
• Develop their ability to apply computing skills as a tool to support learning wherever possible in all other areas of the curriculum.
• Appreciate the relevance of computing in our society, and be aware of its advantages and limitations.
• Develop positive attitudes towards computing, including confidence and enjoyment and to use it in a safe and responsible way.
• Be inspired to continue to learn and apply the skills they learn further at secondary school, university, and beyond in the workplace.
• Be able to use digital literacy skills to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information and media for a range of purposes in a range of contexts.
• Develop understanding of technology and how it is constantly evolving.
• Develop a knowledge of how a range of information and computer technologies work to create, store and communication information and data (E.g. to learn about how the internet works). 

To help us achieve this, we will:

• Meet the national curriculum requirements for computing by implementing a scheme of work to allow pupils to develop the specific computing skills as set down in the new curriculum.
• Encourage the use of computing to develop knowledge, skills and understanding across the wider curriculum (through raising the awareness of opportunities available).
• Nurture awareness amongst pupils and staff of the capabilities and limitations of computing as well as the implications of its development for society.
• Allow staff to develop professionally; enhancing teaching, management and administrative skills through: INSET, courses and time provided for individual development during the school day.

IMPLEMENTATION

Pupils will have the opportunity to develop their Computing skills in the core and foundation subjects. Opportunities provided by the class teacher will enable the children to work both individually and in small groups. Computing lessons will ensure that all pupils have a rich and interactive learning experience including:

• Accessible resources to enable teachers to teach computing through unplugged activities (Barefoot Computing.) These activities focus on computational thinking skills without the use of laptops.
• Practical activities which involve the pupils manipulating programmable hardware to apply programming skills such as coding and debugging.
• Teacher modelling on interactive whiteboard screens.
  Individual and group activities using a range of software on the laptops and IPADS.
• Pupils will have experience with networked PCs, printers, bee-bots, crumble-kits, data logging equipment, calculators, digital media, interactive whiteboards, laptops and IPADs. They will also have experience with the internet and a variety of software that allows teachers to provide for progression of skills, concepts and applications.

IMPACT

Throughout the year we measure the impact of teaching and learning through a combination of formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments involve teachers gaining an understanding of whether children have met lesson or unit objectives through questioning, observing children as they learn or assessing the work they have produced. These formative assessments support teachers in making summative judgements which determine whether each pupil has met, is working towards or has exceeded the year group expectations.

The computing subject lead uses information from these assessments to determine areas of focus for future subject development and CPD.

CURRICULUM

As mentioned above, at Highfield we follow the National Curriculum for England. The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Can understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science, including logic, algorithms, data representation, and communication
• 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

Long Term Plans and Progression

Computing long term plans and progression documents can be found  on our Curriculum Overview page using the following link:

Policy:

School policies including those related to this subject can be found using the following link: