Computing

Intent:

At Rolls Crescent, we deliver a high-quality computing curriculum that encourages children to become independent and resilient learners; preparing them for the challenges of an ever-developing technological world.  Children will gain knowledge and skills in the three areas of the computing curriculum: computer science, information technology and digital literacy.  We aim to ensure that each child become digitally literate, enabling them to express themselves and develop their ideas through information and computer technology – giving them skills suitable for the future workplace and active participants in a digital world.

We teach a curriculum that enables children to become effective users of technology who can:

• Understand and apply the essential principles and concepts of Computer Science, including logic, algorithms and data representation;
• Analyse problems in computational term, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems;
• Evaluate and apply information technology analytically to solve problems;
• Communicate ideas well by utilising appliances and devices throughout all areas of the curriculum.

Internet Safety:

Internet safety underpins all our computing lessons at Rolls Crescent. Every year group participates in lessons on e-safety and children understand how to stay safe when using technology. In addition to this, e-safety is reinforced through assemblies and various days throughout the school calendar. We have an E-Safety Policy that provides guidance for teachers and children about how to use the internet safely.

Implementation:

At Rolls Crescent, Computing is taught through our bespoke curriculum, this is linked with our Big Questions for most of the units of work, linking in this way provides cross curricular aspects to learning and these lessons have a clear purpose and high-quality outcomes. A weekly lesson is taught in the Computing Suite each week throughout KS1 and KS2 by our designated computing teacher. These lessons are carefully planned to ensure a clear progression of skills and to ensure that the children are exposed to a wide range of software, computer programmes and hardware.

A range of software and programmes are used in order to develop computational thinking as well as digital literacy. Safer Internet Day is celebrated each year and we also regularly revisit E-Safety with the children throughout each lesson.

In EYFS children are introduced to Computing within their continuous provision for example, in Nursery the children use simple ipad apps and programmes, take photographs with ipads and take part in activities on the interactive whiteboard. Technology is an everyday part of their learning and understanding of the world.

Our Reception children use ipad and computer games to support learning, for example Reading Eggs, Nessy and interactive story programmes. Children can access tablets, bee bots, and computer programmes such as Numbots, Seesaw and Reading Eggs during their daily learning and they use technology as part of their everyday routines. Oracy is developed with Computing using talking tins to record messages and voices. Children are also taught about E-safety in an age appropriate way, discussing how to use simple search engines such as Kiddle and what to do if they find something online that makes them feel worried. Towards the end of Reception, children begin to have lessons in the Computing suite to further prepare them for KS1.

In Key Stage 1 the children learn to understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions. They are taught to create and debug simple programs and use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs. They are shown how to, and encouraged to use a range of technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content as well as recognise common uses of information technology beyond school. They are taught to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

In Key Stage 2 the children design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts. They use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs, use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and correct errors in algorithms and programs. Children are taught to understand computer networks, including the internet, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration. They use search technologies effectively, learn to appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and are taught to be discerning in evaluating digital content. Children are taught to select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals. They are taught to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

Impact:

Our Computing curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• A reflection on standards achieved against the target tracker outcomes
• Children can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation;
• Children can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems;
• Children can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems;
• Children are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
• Pupil discussions about their learning.