Computing

Intent

Our Intent for Computing at Swaffield is that we are:
effective programmers, safe communicators and digitally literate.

Our Computing curriculum is based on the three core areas of Computing in the National Curriculum - Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. It is designed to develop our children’s knowledge and skills in Computing and their appreciation of the capabilities and opportunities technology offers to create, manage, organise and collaborate. The aim of our Computing curriculum is that our pupils have a range of transferable skills they can develop for their future workplace and also that they are responsible online citizens. We intend to support our pupils to access and understand the core principles of this subject through specific Computing lessons and cross-curricular opportunities.

Effective Programmers

We want to give our pupils regular opportunities to develop their programming skills as they progress from Early Years to Year 6. From an early understanding of how to use algorithms to move a device such as a Bee-Bot or a robot, to writing a programme and understanding how to introduce variables.

Safe Communicators

We want our children to use technology safely and respectfully, to recognise the exciting opportunities that the online world can bring but also the potential dangers and implications of what they do online.

Digitally Literate

We want our pupils to be digitally literate, giving them opportunities to gain practical knowledge whilst also
developing critical thinking, to help them to access, understand and create digital content.

Implementation

We use the Kapow scheme of work for Computing, which is organised into five key areas –

• Computing systems and networks
• Programming
• Creating media
• Data handling
• Online safety

It is a spiral curriculum which develops pupils’ knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on prior learning. The objectives from the National Curriculum for Computing are covered through engaging and practical lessons, with pupils given regular opportunities to transfer their skills in different contexts. Links have also been made with other curriculum subjects such as Art, Science and Music. A range of teaching strategies are planned for as well as both unplugged and digital activities across each unit. Knowledge organisers for each unit also support pupils to develop their knowledge and skills through key facts and vocabulary.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum for Computing is constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment. Pupils’ knowledge and skills are assessed using a quiz at the start and the end of every unit. The information from the assessments are used to inform planning for the next lesson and unit of work.
We want our pupils to leave our school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in an ever-increasingly digital world. We want them to be:

• Effective programmers
• Safe communicators
• Digitally literate