Computing Curriculum

Curriculum Statements for Computing

Intention

• To educate children on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We teach them to be good digital citizens, to know how to operate safely whilst using technology and, while using the internet, understand their own digital footprints and minimise risk to themselves and others.
• To offer a variety of creative computing experiences, both plugged and unplugged, and to ensure children have an understanding programming, conceptual thinking and algorithms.
• To promote essential computing life-skills within our computing curriculum, supporting the children to positively utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way in order to flourish.
• Support the children to become autonomous, independent users of computing technologies, gaining confidence to succeed in a digital world.
• To provide a curriculum which is sequenced to ensure progression and development, plus allowing children to access a range of computing technologies and software.
• To incorporate technology to support learning across the entire curriculum and to ensure that our curriculum is accessible to every child.
• Not only do we want them to be digital literate and competent end-uses of technology but through our computing lessons we want them to develop creativity, resilience, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• To teach children key knowledge about how computers and computer systems work and how they are designed and programmed. 

Implementation

• At Caldershaw, computing is separated into 6 topics and taught in Key Stage 1 and 2 and as part of Understanding the World in EYFS.
• Our scheme has been closely referenced against the National Curriculum in order to ensure progression and coverage.
• Our curriculum is based upon the Teach Computing Curriculum from NCCE, so that is can be effectively taught using the infrastructure we have in place at school and meet the needs of all our children. Internet safety is consistently taught through Project Evolve and our Discovery Education RSHE curriculum.
• Teachers engage and reinforce prior learning at the beginning of units and lessons.
• Having specific computing lessons means that the children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics.
• Project Evolve and online scenarios are used throughout Key Stage 1 and 2 to reinforce online safety and ways in which children can seek help if require
• Where appropriate, meaningful links are made between the computing curriculum and the wider curriculum, supporting children to become continent digital users.
• Within computing, the children use IPads or laptops and other age appropriate hardware to support their learning.
• Computing lessons focus on the curriculum skills of information technology, digital literacy and computer science.
• Children are given feedback and ways to improve their work either verbally or through marking. Children have the opportunity to publish their work if possible.

Impact

• Our approach to the curriculum results in an engaging and high-quality computing education. 
• Our children are confident using a wide range of hardware and software, and are diligent learners who value online safety and respect when communicating with one another.
• As children become more confident in their abilities in Computing, they become more independent digital citizens, supporting key life skills such as problem-solving, logical and conceptual thinking and self-evaluation.
• Our children are ready for the next stage of their learning.
• Our children are able to use technology for their learning and development.

 What our children say about their learning in Computing:-

'I enjoy using different computer programmes, different software. We used Crumble to programme and control a fairground ride.' Leo Year 5

'I've leant lots of new skills in Computing.' Maxx Year 5

'You can become more of an expert. I enjoyed vector drawing.' Mia Year 5