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In line with the 2014 National Curriculum for Computing, our aim is to provide a high-quality computing education, which equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The curriculum will teach children key knowledge about how computers and computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed. Learners will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers.
By the time they leave Sheriff Hutton Primary School, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). The objectives within each strand support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond.
Our intent, when teaching the above knowledge and skills, is to inspire a curiosity in children and a fascination with technology and the possibilities and opportunities it can present for the children of today becoming the adults of tomorrow. To provide them with opportunities to question how technologies work and connect together and how, through history, technology has helped the human race develop and communicate in new and more intricate ways. To give them creative opportunities to express themselves through the use of technology and to create a positive, safe digital imprint as a foundation for their technological use through life.
Computing at Sheriff Hutton Primary is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. Through our use of the Kapow scheme of work, teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic and these are mapped across the school, ensuring that knowledge builds throughout the two year rolling programme and that children develop skills systematically. Existing knowledge is checked at the beginning of each topic and retrieval opportunities are built into start of each lesson to support the children in remembering more of what they have learnt. This ensures that teaching is informed by the children’s’ starting points. Lessons are designed to provide appropriate support and challenge to all learners, in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. At the end of each topic, key knowledge is reviewed by the children and rigorously checked by the teacher and consolidated as necessary.
Cross curricular outcomes in Computing are specifically identified and planned for. The Computing provision is also well resourced and specific resources are mapped to specific year groups and topics to support effective teaching and learning. A range of devices, including iPads, Chromebooks, laptops, interactive whiteboards and panels and a range of other technological equipment are fully utilised to achieve the desired outcomes with extensive opportunities for children to explore the technology at their own pace, record their work digitally and question their findings. When on school trips, children are encouraged to consider technological use and provide them with first hand experiences of technology in action.
The curriculum is planned, taking into consideration three aspects:
✓ Cyclical: Pupils revisit the five key areas throughout KS1 and KS2.
✓ Increasing depth: Each time a key area is revisited, it is covered with greater complexity.
✓ Prior knowledge: Upon returning to each key area, prior knowledge is utilised so pupils can build on previous foundations, rather than starting again.
Online safety is covered in the autumn term every year and highlighted during occasion such as Safer Internet day.
The impact of our Computing curriculum is that our learners are equipped with the skills and knowledge to help them explore, navigate and understand the technology around them, help guide them through rapid technological developments and use devices safely. Their skills and knowledge will develop progressively as they move through the school to enable them to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and will enable them to be fully equipped for the secondary. The children will be able to discuss their learning and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through a range of activities. The children’s learning is assessed against the age-related expectations from the 2014 National Curriculum.
We base our Computing work around the ‘Kapow’ mixed aged planning and resources. Some aspects are adapted to the individual themes and needs of the children.
We appreciate the Kapow resources have recently been updated, we are currently developing our curriculum planning in line with the updated units (March 2023).
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