Computing Curriculum at XII Apostles
Subject Leader - Mrs Yates and Curriculum Team 2
Mission Statement
At Twelve Apostles, the Mission Statement declares that we aim to provide a caring and safe place to learn and all children are given every chance to learn more about things we are good at, and the things we want to learn more about. Computing is an exciting and interesting way for the children to celebrate and practise the skills they are good at and allow them to learn more.
Intent:
The National Curriculum for Computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- 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
At Twelve Apostles, we recognise that the use of computers and computer systems is an integral part of the National Curriculum and knowing how they work is a key life skill. In an increasingly digital world there now exists a wealth of software, tools and technologies that can be used to communicate, collaborate, express ideas and create digital content. We want the children to be able to be prepared to use technology well and keep themselves safe.
Implementation:
The teaching and learning of computing is split into three main aspects taken from the National Curriculum. The three aspects are:
- Computer Science-This aspect of the curriculum allows the children to find out how computers and computer systems work. They can then apply this substantive knowledge through programming. Computer science is taught throughout the school at an age-appropriate level.
- Digital Literacy-Becoming digitally literate enables the children to become safe users of technology. We teach the children the value of technology, how to use computers safely and how to evaluate online content.
- Information Technology-The teaching of information technology gives the children the ability to create, edit, analyse, save and retrieve purposeful digital content including text, data and pictures. The children are able to use a variety of software and effectively use search technologies. They are also able to apply their learning in other areas of the curriculum.
During the units of work, the children are taught how the substantive and disciplinary knowledge or use of hardware/software is used in everyday life. This may be done through sharing examples or evaluating how effective it is to use a computer-based device. Problem solving activities are taught alongside computing to enhance the children’s computational thinking. Subject-specific vocabulary is used in lessons by the teacher and children.
In school, the curriculum is taught using a range of hardware and software.
This includes:
- A bank of laptops in both key stages
- A bank of iPads
- Hardware to teach control units such as, Beebots, Beebots and Microbits.
- Data Loggers
- Subscription to Purple Mash for all year groups
We recognise that the children’s substantive and disciplinary knowledge varies therefore we provide suitable experiences and tasks for all children by:
- Setting open-ended tasks where the outcome can vary
- Supporting the children through working with an adult
- Challenging children to extend their learning and disciplinary and substantive knowledge
- Giving the children the opportunity to practise the disciplinary knowledge they have learned in their computing lessons in other contexts
- Providing the children with resources to support them
- Organising children in such a way that they receive support from their peers
Teachers predominantly use the Teach Computing scheme of work to plan their lessons. The Computing long term plan is taught discretely or through cross-curricular work. Disciplinary knowledge is applied in other areas of the curriculum.
The curriculum has been enhanced by after school clubs and out of school visits.
The Long Term Plan, Progression of Skills Document and Long-Term Curriculum Outcomes Document outlines the contexts for learning, objectives and disciplinary knowledge taught in each year group.
Impact:
At XII Apostles, we recognise the unique needs of each child and support them in reaching their human potential. The impact of our Computing curriculum is measured in the competence and substantive knowledge of our children within the subject and the confidence to apply the disciplinary knowledge they have been taught, in other subjects and within the wider world. In addition, the children know how to be respectful and responsible users of technology who keep themselves safe. Progression of disciplinary knowledge is evident in the children’s work and through pupil interviews where the children are using subject specific vocabulary.
The children are taught word processing skills throughout their school life and apply their skills in other subjects. |
The children are given the opportunity to do some programming in each year group. |
The children use tablets regularly for programming, research and accessing educational apps. |
The SMART letters are displayed in school to remind children of the online safety rules they are taught to follow. These were made by the children during Safer Internet Week and they are decorated with pieces of computer hardware. |