Computing at Wilshere-Dacre

Intent

We aim to provide a varied and engaging computing curriculum which should inspire in pupils an enthusiasm for learning new technologies as well as a hunger for decoding and deciphering their inner workings. Our aim is to encourage children to develop confidence in accessing and using fundamental programmes whilst also exposing them to the wide world of programming. Our children will be capable of navigating websites and software safely and will be exposed to new tools to use to further their learning. We will provide a computing education which is both inclusive and accessible for every child.

The targets for the computing curriculum within our school are:

• To inform our students about computing networks and systems;

• To develop fluency with accessing and using different devices for different purposes including BBC Micro:bit, Ipads and laptop computers;

• To introduce pupils to coding and programming through the mediums of educational software such as scratch and Make:code

• To provide knowledge and understanding of fundamental online tools such as email;

• To develop student's creative abilities within computing by demonstrating methods to create media such as animation, audio and video. 

• To develop in children the skills of resilience, caution, creativity and online safety whilst exploring the internet and various software.  

• To identify real world examples and creative challenges in which pupils can explore and extend their understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of Computing.

• To ensure that pupils develop a respectful and responsible attitude towards using information and communication technology, especially with regards to their own and other’s safety.

• To provide a safe space in which pupils can navigate and interact with the digital world, whilst exploring their own personal expression and identity. 

Implementation

Our scheme of work for Computing is adapted from the ‘Kapow’ 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 units that build on and improve previous understanding.

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 individual focuses within each term with the aims of the curriculum reflected in their content. Each half-term focuses on a new or revisited skill and develops pupil understanding, proficiency and fluency in areas such as creating media, data handling and computer systems. Computing is delivered weekly in all classes with a focus on using a range of technology throughout the school. The units are structured to build fundamental skills in computer science, information technology and digital literacy and build on these across the half term until the students can create a final project based on the covered knowledge. 

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)

Our curriculum focuses on providing all children with access to Block Coding, Python and data handling resources including BBC Micro:bit. Block coding lessons provide a graphical approach to coding where pupils drag and drop events, objects and actions to make things happen in a program, progressing to building their own games. These skills are then used to develop projects on their Micro:bits which they can interact with physically and demonstrate their newfound knowledge whilst developing pride in a tangible accomplishment.

To help with our implementation of the computing curriculum we have a variety of hardware available to all teachers, including:

• 2 class sets of laptops

• 30 Ipads

• 2 class sets of BBC Micro:bit's

• class sets of headphones and microphones 

Each classroom is provided with:

• A visualiser

• Interactive Whiteboard

Impact

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 will be assessed via the analysis of unit assessment data and skills audits. This will then inform future adaptions of the scheme of work and help to ensure that progression is evident throughout school.  

In order to demonstrate that we have accomplished our aims, pupils at Wilshere-Dacre 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 associated with a broad range of digital technology.
• Transition to secondary school with a keen interest in the continued learning of this subject.

I loved using my block coding skills to create a pedometer, light sensor and timer using my Micro:bit  . - Year 4 pupil 

Learning about online safety is important as it means I can use technology comfortably and confidently, knowing that I'm safe. - Year 5 pupil

Pupil voice