Computing

Intent

At St John’s CoE Primary School, our computing curriculum is designed to deliver high quality computing lessons to all children that engage, excite, and enable children to benefit from learning a set of skills that will enhance their future opportunities.

• Inspire a love of learning about computing, creating an environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and develop a set of skills.
• Create opportunities for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful computer scientists.
• Support pupils in building their understanding of computer science by using a range of programmes and equipment.
• Encourage students to become independent, confident learners by quipping them with the correct tools to make informed choices about the way in which they use technology.
• Promote inclusivity, ensuring that all pupils, regardless of background or ability, can access and enjoy computing and reach their full potential.

The St John’s Computing curriculum follows the structure of the National Centre for Computing Education scheme of work which enables pupils to meet the end of Key stage attainment targets in the National curriculum and the aims also align with those set out in the National curriculum.

Implementation

Implementation - how we will deliver our Computing curriculum Computing is taught in units throughout the year which ensures we provide a progressive and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum.

 In addition to our Google Chromebooks, each class has a selection of iPads and laptops. We also use Google Classroom within our lessons and to provide homework to our pupils. All classrooms benefit from a visualiser and an interactive panel, which is used to display explanatory presentations provided within the Teach Computing scheme. Pupils’ work is saved in a variety of locations, but principally on the school server and within Seesaw (this is a 3-year programme starting 2024). Assessment in Computing involves the following teacher activity:

• Provide opportunities for the children to review and revisit their understanding

• Use the NCCE ‘I can’ statements to inform their teacher judgements and track individual’s progress (using Insight)

 • Use this information to review and adapt the teaching and learning accordingly.

Whilst Computing is taught discretely, the use of technology is encouraged to support learning across all curriculum areas.

Impact

The impact of National Centre for Computing Education scheme can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives. Furthermore, each unit has a and end of unit quiz which will be used at the end of the unit to provide a summative assessment. 

The success of our Computing curriculum is assessed by both teachers and the Computing Lead in order to inform future adaptations of the schemes of work and help to ensure that progression is evident throughout school.

The Computing lead will:

• Conduct pupil voice sessions, ensuring children are actively contributing to our curriculum content • Carry out staff audits to monitor staff confidence and satisfaction with our Computing curriculum

• Monitor work on digital platforms and within the class Computing book against each year groups’ long-term plan

• Review annual progress data

We aim that our pupils should:

• Be enthusiastic and confident in their approach towards Computing

• Present as competent and adaptable ‘Computational Thinkers’ who are able to use identified concepts and approaches in all of their learning

• Be able to identify the source of problems and work with perseverance to ‘debug’ them.

• Create and evaluate their own project work

• Have a secure understanding of the positive applications and specific risks (and benefits) associated with a broad range of digital technology

• Transition to secondary school with a keen interest in the continued learning of this subject