Subject Statement for Computing
Intent:
At Well Green Primary School, we understand the immense value that technology plays not only in supporting the Computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school. Our aims are to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Computing whilst also providing enhanced collaborative learning opportunities, engagement in rich content and supporting pupil’s conceptual understanding of new concepts which support the needs of all our pupils.
Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in students' lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. 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 pupils 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 technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils. We encourage staff to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. Technology is ever evolving and we aim to develop pupils who can use and express themselves, develop their ideas through, information and communication technology at a suitable level for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
The aims of our Computing curriculum are to develop pupils who:
Implementation:
To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Computing is a foundation subject in the National Curriculum and at Well Green implementation of the computing curriculum is in line with 2014 Primary National Curriculum requirements for KS1 and KS2 and the Foundation Stage Curriculum in England. This provides a broad framework and outlines the knowledge and skills taught in each key stage.
Computing teaching at Scholar Green will deliver the requirements of the National Curriculum through units of work taken and adapted from the Purple Mash scheme. This ensures good coverage of all three strands, which are: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Computer Science underlines the knowledge and skills relating to programming, coding, algorithms and computational thinking. Information Technology underlines the knowledge and skills relating to communication, multimedia and data representation and handling. Digital Literacy underlines the knowledge and skills relating to online safety and technology uses.
Following the Purple Mash scheme of work, which we follow from Year 1-6, ensures consistency and progression throughout the school. Units are practical and engaging and allow computing lessons to be hands on. Units cover a broad range of computing components such as coding, spreadsheets, Internet and Email, Databases, Communication networks, animation and online safety.
Teachers should ensure that ICT and computing capability is also achieved through core and foundation subjects and where appropriate and necessary ICT and computing should be incorporated into work for all subjects using our wide range of interactive ICT resources. Through our Purple Mash subscription our teachers can deliver thematic, cross curricular lessons that also follow children’s interests and provide flexibility. Purple Mash has an online portal of age-appropriate software, games and activities as well as topic materials and materials to support children’s learning in other subject areas for all key stages.
Well Green has a 1:1 computer to pupil ratio for each class. Each teacher/classroom has a laptop and an ipad. The ICT Suite is equipped with 34 PCs. All computers are hardwire networked and can therefore share resources such as printers and the connection to Broadband for Internet and email access. We also have a set of 32 I-pads which can be used in class or by small groups to support other curriculum areas.
Computing and safeguarding go hand in hand and at Well Green: we provide a huge focus on internet safety inside and outside of the classroom. Additional to all pupils studying an online safety unit through their computing lessons, every year we also take part in National Internet Safety Day in February. The Computing co-ordinator alongside class teachers will plan additional internet safety lessons and activities to take part in following a specific yearly theme.
Finally, at Well Green, we actively encourage parent partnership within the computing curriculum and outside of school. Parents are made aware of e-safety issues through the school website, links, letters, information newsletters, parent presentations, shared activities and guidance.
Impact:
Our Computing Curriculum is high-quality and is planned to demonstrate progression and build on and embed current skills. We focus on progression of knowledge and skills in the different computational components. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress.
We want learners to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well-being. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style. We feel the way we implement computing helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can continue to build on in their next stage of education and beyond. We encourage regular discussions between staff and pupils to best embed and understand this.
The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work will best show the impact of our curriculum. Progress of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through outcomes and the record of coverage (annotated planning) in the process of achieving these outcomes.