Computing
Intent
At Chollerton First School, we aim to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupils’ appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offer’s to; create, manage, organise, and collaborate.
Exploring software and programs forms a part of the ethos of the scheme, as we want to develop pupil’s confidence when encountering new technology, which is a vital skill enabling our children to utilise technology. Through our curriculum, we intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent and have a range of transferable skills but a suitable level for the future workplace, but also to be responsible online citizens.
The scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of key stage attainment targets outlined in the National Curriculum and the aims align with those in the National curriculum. We intent to help children be equipped for life in the digital world, including developing their understanding of appropriate online behaviour, copyright issues, being discerning consumers of online information and healthy use of technology.
We have adopted the Kapow Primary Computing scheme to ensure breadth of our curriculum.
Implementation
The National Curriculum purpose of study states:
“The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. 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.”
We follow the Kapow Primary scheme of work which is designed with three strands which run throughout:
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Digital Literacy
The Kapow Primary scheme is organised into five key areas, creating a cyclical route through which pupils can develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning:
- Computer systems and networks
- Programming
- Creating Media
- Data Handling
- Online Safety
The implementation of Kapow Primary Computing ensures a broad and balanced coverage of the National Curriculum requirements. Where meaningful, units have been created to link to other subjects such as science, art, and music to enable the development of further transferable skills and genuine cross-curricular learning.
Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work as well as unplugged and digital activities. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles. Differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils learning are available when required.
Strong subject knowledge is vital for staff to be able to deliver a highly effective and robust computing curriculum. Each of our units of lessons include teacher videos to develop subject knowledge a support ongoing CPD. Further CPD opportunities can also be found via our webinars with our computing subject specialists.
Impact
The impact of Kapow Primary’s scheme can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives and each unit has a unit quiz and knowledge catcher which can be used at the start and/or end of the unit.
After the implementation of Kapow Primary Computing, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in the ever-increasing digital world/
The expected impact of following the Kapow Primary Computing scheme of work is that children will:
- Be critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future.
- Understand the importance that computing will have going forward in both their education and working life and in their social and personal futures.
- Understand how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner.
- Understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity. They will know that different types of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims.
- Show a clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National Curriculum – computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
- Be able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team.
- Be aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with and problems in a responsible and appropriate manner.
- Have an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another.
- Meet the end of key stage expectations outlines in the National Curriculum for Computing.
Our EYFS lessons are a natural precursor to our Year 1 computing plans. They are designed especially for the Reception classroom and are play-based, hands-on and fun!
Whilst the technology strand is no longer a specific area in the EYFS framework (2021), having the opportunity to develop computing skills at an early age can foster an interest and confidence in technology and give pupils an advantage going into KS1.