Computing Curriculum Statement
“Technology is best when it brings people together.”
Matt Mullenweg, Social Media Entrepreneur
Computing is a statutory subject of the National Curriculum. At Fairhaven CE VA Primary School, Physical Education is taught as a discrete subject in Key Stage 1 and 2 and across a number of EYFS strands.
| Intent | |||||
| At Fairhaven CE VA Primary school, we intend that pupils should master computing to such an extent that they can not only make use of computing effectively in their everyday lives but also go on to have careers within computing, without being completely reliant on technology. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in childrens’ lives, therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. Within this, they will be taught to be mindful of how their behaviour, words and actions can affect others. Our children will be taught computing in a way that ensures progression of skills,and follows a sequence to build on previous learning. They will gain experience and skills of a wide range of technology in a way that will enhance their learning opportunities, enabling them to use this technology across a range of subjects to be creative and solve problems, ensuring they make progress. We want our pupils to be creators not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. We want our children to understand that there is always a choice with using technology and as a school we utilise technology to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education. We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils. Our knowledge rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful computer scientists. | |||||
| Implementation | |||||
| We follow a broad and balanced computing curriculum that builds on previous learning and provides both support and challenge for learners. We use Teach Computing and Discovery Education, Google applications, a range of web-based applications and physical technology to ensure progression of skills and coverage of all aspects of the computing curriculum. All classes have discrete computing lessons and these can be taught over the course of several weeks or blocked to take place over the course of one or two weeks. Pupils also have the opportunity to further their skills within other curriculum subjects. Written or printed work from lessons will be stored in classrooms whereas computer based outcomes will be stored on Google Drive for reference and assessment. Extra-curricular work can be shared directly with the class teacher or shared with peers on Google Classroom. We want to ensure that computing is embedded in our whole school curriculum and that opportunities for enhancing learning by using technology are always taken. | |||||
| Impact | |||||
| Our children enjoy and value computing and know why they are doing things, not just how. Children will understand and appreciate the value of computing in the context of their personal wellbeing and the technological, creative and cultural industries and their many career opportunities. Progress in computing is demonstrated through regularly reviewing and scrutinising children’s work, in accordance with our computing assessment policy to ensure that progression of skills is taking place. Namely through: – looking at pupils’ work, especially over time as they gain skills and knowledge – observing how they perform in lessons – talking to them about what they know The computing curriculum will contribute to pupils’ personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection. This would be seen in them being able to talk confidently about their work, and sharing their work with others. Progress will be shown through outcomes and through the important record of the process leading to them. |
