Intent

Computing at Launde School intends to develop ‘thinkers of the future’ through a modern, consistent and relevant education in computing. We want to equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity that will enable them to become active participants in the digital world. It is important to us that the children understand how to use the ever-changing technology to express themselves, as tools for learning and as a means to drive their generation forward into the future.

Whilst ensuring they understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with online experiences, we want children to develop as respectful, responsible and confident users of technology, aware of measures that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe online.

Our aim is to provide a computing curriculum that is designed to balance acquiring a broad and deep knowledge alongside opportunities to apply skills in various digital contexts. Beyond teaching computing discreetly, we will give pupils the opportunity to apply and develop what they have learnt across wider learning in the curriculum.

Our computing curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression through the year groups. The curriculum we use for the teaching of computing is from the ‘Teach Computing’ Curriculum and covers all aspects of the National Curriculum. This scheme was chosen as it has been created by subject experts and based on the latest pedagogical research. It provides an innovative progression framework where computing content (concepts, knowledge, skills and objectives) has been organised into interconnected networks called learning graphs.

Our curriculum aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future. The curriculum is divided into 3 strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy, with the aims of the curriculum reflecting this distinction.

Our curriculum for computing aims to ensure all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science)
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems (Computer science)
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology)
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy)

Despite not being explicitly on the Early Years Curriculum, we at Launde Primary School feel that it is important to give opportunities for children to use technology in different forms from the first year that are at school. In EYFS, the children have a regular slot in the computer suite and we teach the children basic skills, like turning on the computer, operating a simple programme, programming bee-bots. In the Early years and beyond, children here at Launde are able to access interactive whiteboards during lessons. There is opportunity for children to use ICT skills, for example in the shop they get to use a digital card machine and a till. All of these basic skills are in preparation for when they move up through the school and their skills progress in each key stage and year group.

The most relevant statements for Computing are taken from physical Development, personal, Social and Emotional Development, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.

Implementation

We teach computing every week to ensure the skills development is regular and consistent.

We have a range of technology for the children to use to support their skills development. We have class sets of ipads and two computer suites with desktop computers in, one in KS2 and one in FS/KS1. Each teaching areas has an interactive whiteboard. We also have additional computing hardware such as beebots, crumble kits etc to support the curriculum delivery. There is a clear structure to the lessons where children are taught a new skill, have an opportunity to practise and then apply their learnt skills.

A key part of implementing our computing curriculum is to ensure that safety of our pupils is paramount. We take online safety very seriously and we aim to give children the necessary skills to keep themselves safe online. Children have a right to access safe online spaces and to benefit from all the opportunities that a connected world can bring them, appropriate to their age and stage. Online safety and responsible use of technology are topics covered in computing and PSHE lessons, assemblies and during events such as Safer Internet Day. We follow Childnet's 'SMART with a heart rules' for safer internet use and posters can be found in all classrooms around the school.

All children are provided with Microsoft accounts which allow access to TEAMS. This enables children to access their homework remotely. All pupils get an equitable offer to IT to complete research and homework tasks. Our pupils who are registered as pupil Premium have a laptop computer allocated to them from Year 2 to Year 6. In EYFS and Year 1, the children have an ipad to use at home. All devises have the correct safer use software installed.

Within Computing, we encourage a creative and collaborative environment in which pupils can learn to express and challenge themselves. The success of the curriculum itself is assessed through the analysis of yearly  progress data, lesson observations, pupil voice and skills audits. This then informs future adaptions of the scheme of work and help to ensure that progression is evident throughout school alongside constant review to ensure it is relevant to the children’s learning experiences.

The curriculum aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future. The curriculum can be broken down into 3 strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy, with the aims of the curriculum reflecting this distinction.

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science)
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems (Computer science)
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology)
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy)

Impact

In order to demonstrate that we have accomplished our aims, pupils at Launde Primary School will:

• 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 associated with a broad range of digital technology
• Transition to secondary school with a keen interest in the continued learning of this subject.