Intent
At St Luke’s School we aim to make everyday a learning adventure. New technologies and the digital world are becoming an integral part of young people’s lives, both within school and in their lives outside of school. It is essential that all pupils gain the confidence and capability they need in this subject to prepare them for the challenges of a rapidly developing and challenging technological world whilst fulfilling the requirements of the National Curriculum. It is our intention that computing also supports cross-curricular learning through engaging the children and enriching their learning. Not only do we want our children to be digitally literate and competent but through our computing lessons we want them to develop an understanding of themselves as members of a wider global community and as responsible digital citizens.
The aim of teaching Computing at our school is:
- Whilst developing their computing skills within a climate of trust and experimentation, children develop their love for others and the wider world by understanding the impact computing and communication can have. Their mistakes are valued as learning points and resilience is developed as we work through challenging situations.
- To develop the courage to solve problems and algorithms by applying their computing skills to a variety of situations and programmes with increasing competence. Children will show courage to try different strategies to solve problems, including in unfamiliar contexts and to model real-life scenarios, ensuring the children becoming fluent in the fundamentals of computing so that they use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.
- To give and instil hope that they have the skills to prepare them for further education and beyond, and enable them to foster a sense of confidence in their ability to understand the need for computing for their successful future.
Implementation
At St Luke’s Primary School, core computing skills are broken down and plotted to ensure that our children develop their computing skills progressively over time. The teaching of computing at St Luke’s is supported by ‘Purple Mash’ scheme and covers all aspects of the National Curriculum. Our curriculum aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future. The curriculum is broken down into three strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy. Our curriculum is designed upon a base of skills and knowledge that we want the children to learn.
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure all pupils: can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science); can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems (Computer science); can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology); and are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy).
In addition, children’s online safety skills are taught using units and modules selected from the ‘The National Online Safety’ scheme. Children have a standalone online safety lesson once per half term which allows them to build on previously learn skills on: self-identity and image, online relationships, online reputation; online bullying; managing online information; health, wellbeing and lifestyle; privacy and security; and copyright and ownership.
In computing lessons the children predominantly use iPads and netbooks, accessing a range of apps, software and websites.
All children are provided with Google accounts where work can be accessed remotely. The children also have accounts for Purple Mash, TTrockstars and Atom home learning to support and further develop their computing knowledge and skills across the curriculum.
Impact
We aim for all children to achieve age related expectations in Computing at the end of KS2. We strive for all the children to be able to use technology sensibly, safely and appropriately and to be digitally literate when the join the world on the digital platform. It is imperative that our children understand the consequences of their actions online and know how to keep themselves and others safe online.
In order to evaluate the level to which children are retaining knowledge and are able to apply their learning and skills to a range of situations, we use a range of assessment techniques, including:
-regular feedback during computing lessons
-evidence collated through written work
– cross curricular opportunities to apply the skills through other curriculum area
Computing is monitored and reviewed throughout the year by the computing coordinator using a variety of strategies such as lesson observations, pupil interviews and looking at samples of work.