Computing
At Wadhurst CE Primary School & Nursery, we aim to develop children into independent learners and computational thinkers by working on a curriculum that covers both procedural and declarative knowledge. We aim for children to feel empowered when using technology and for them to understand how the skills they are taught can positively impact on their learning and success in later life. We aim for Computing to ensure that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
Why do we use the scheme we use? We have developed our curriculum using Teach Computing as a platform for sequential curriculum development. We work on a two year cycle where we develop the children's knowledge as it is revisited and deepened each year as they progress through the school. . Children are taught a computing unit once every long term to ensure that the quality of the content is prioritised and not rushed. The Teach Computing curriculum has been written to support all pupils which supports our vision for inclusive practice. Each lesson is sequenced so that it builds on the learning from the previous lesson, and where appropriate, activities are scaffolded so that all pupils can succeed and thrive. The Teach Computing curriculum ensures coverage of the National Curriculum objectives as well as focusing on the three key areas of digital literacy, information technology and computer science.
Our computing curriculum works closely with our PSHE curriculum in teaching Online Safety. Objectives from ‘Education for a connect world’ are taught using project evolve so that children’s understanding is continuously assessed and revisited regularly as needed. We ensure that our children have an in-depth knowledge of online safety topics and develop the skills to tackle any upsetting or inappropriate content they might access online to remain safe. In addition, children understand how to maintain healthy relationships online and how to be respectful and trustworthy to those they may meet in online communities.
Computing lessons use a variety of resources from Beebots and cameras to individual laptops. The computing curriculum uses a range of online resources and programmes to support teaching and learning, all age appropriate for the relevant key stage. We work closely with Maidstone teaching hub to access their physical computing kits and high quality training for staff.
Early Years teach using Development Matters 2020 as a guide. Technology, on the whole, is learnt as an integral part of their continuous provision. Children develop through the use of equipment to enhance experiences for example, using tills and phones in role play, being supported to use the tablets, for taking photographs of their work, drawing and writing on the classroom display screens or immersing the children in stories linked to themes of online safety or inspirational people and careers that use technology. Staff make links with parents/carers via Tapestry, sharing activities completed at school and ways of continuing this learning at home. This is done, wherever possible, to encourage learning beyond the classroom.
Our Principles For Great Teaching In Computing
If our children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. We measure the impact of our curriculum through the reflection on what they know and remember in regards to our mapped knowledge goals for each year group, tracking knowledge in pre- and post-learning challenges and through ongoing formative assessment opportunities in and across lessons. The impact of our computing curriculum is that our pupils are equipped with the knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the next stage of their curriculum and for life as an adult in the world outside the classroom.
- can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology
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Recorded learning as part of unplugged activities
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Discussion tasks and questioning
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Carefully designed lessons that provide opportunities for adults to continually assess for understanding both in computing and across the curriculum
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Questioning and feedback to support small steps in learning
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Teacher assessment of digital activities in lessons and over time.
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Beginning and end of unit assessment tasks e.g. Quizes
Beyond Wadhurst
We believe that when children leave Wadhurst CE Primary they will be equiped to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The pupils will know the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils will be equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Pupils will be digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.