Computing
Intent
Our computing curriculum aims to ensure children can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science. We aim to help children analyse problems in computational terms and give them the opportunity to have practical experience of writing computer programs to solve these problems. Through the curriculum children will evaluate and apply information technology to logically problem solve and become responsible, competent and creative users of information and communication technology.
At Wigmore we believe computing is a vital part of everyday life and we aim to equip the children with the knowledge and confidence to embrace the challenges ahead of them. In a world where our work and leisure is increasingly shaped by technology we aim to give our pupils the skills and determination to participate and achieve in modern day life. It also enables them to become safe and responsible in their usage of information communication technology.
The EYFS Framework and National Curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
EYFS
3-4 yrs
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development - remember rules without needing an adult to remind them.
- Physical Development - match their developing physical skills to tasks and activities in the setting.
- Understanding the World- explore how things work.
Reception
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development - show resilience and perseverance in the face of a challenge, know and talk about the different factors that support their overall health and wellbeing: -sensible amounts of ‘screen time’.
- Physical Development- develop their small motor skills so that they can use a range of tools competently, safely and confidently.
- Expressive Arts and Design- explore, use and refine a variety of artistic effects to express their ideas and feelings.
ELG
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development Managing Self - be confident to try new activities and show independence, resilience and perseverance in the face of challenge, explain the reasons for rules, know right from wrong and try to behave accordingly.
- Expressive Arts and Design Creating with Materials -safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function
KS1
- Can understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions;
- create and debug simple programs;
- use logical reasoning to predict the behavior of simple programs;
- use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content;
- recognise common uses of information technology beyond school;
KS2
- Can design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts;
- use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output;
- use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs;
- understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration;
- use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content;
- select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information;
- use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
E-Safety
Internet safety is considered extremely important at Wigmore Primary School. We have a separate E-safety policy to provide guidance for teachers and parents about -E-Safety and how we teach it. Children are taught e-safety on a regular basis linked to the topic they are covering in computing lessons. The children have a secure understanding on how to stay safe online. Yearly, the whole school participates in Internet Safety Day.
Planning and progression
Long term planning is produced and reviewed on a yearly basis – the rationale behind the planning is thought about to ensure enjoyment and progression across the year groups. At Wigmore, we follow the National Curriculum and use the Teach Computing (National Centre for Computing Education) scheme of work. Skill Progression documents ensure that children continally make expected progess. Medium Term Planning is utilised every half term with a key question linking to the topic, key vocabulary and resources. An e-safety objective is also included in the half termly planning.
Implementation
Teaching and learning
Our computing curriculum is comprised of three aspects: Digital literacy, computer science and information technology. Computing skills are taught both discreetly and cross- curricular, supporting other areas in learning across the school. Computing lessons are taught and planned by individual class teachers and they base their planning on the key questions provided. The lessons are delivered on a weekly basis with a timetable for the laptops, iPads or occasionally, the use of the computing suite at Wigmore High School, in preparation for the transition to KS3. The subject of computing can be linked with other subjects. This makes learning more fun and engaging for the children and creates experiential learning to improve long term memory.
Wider learning
We equip our children to participate in a rapidly changing world where many aspects of our lives are now based around computing. We give the children a wide range of experiences with technology. We aim to prepare our children to use computation thinking and creativity to support them in life skills and future career choices. The children have access to laptops in a lap safe within the primary school and iPads. The EYFS have access to iPads in the classroom. Each classroom has an interactive white board and a class iPad.
The children are also encouraged to use a wide variety of online learning programmes such as Seesaw and maths programmes.