Computing

From phones to cars to medicine, technology touches every part of our lives. If you can create technology, you can change the world.

Susan Wojcicki

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.

The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught 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 are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures 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.

We teach our computing curriculum using the Kapow Scheme of Learning. Our Computing scheme aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupil’s appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to, create, manage, organise, and collaborate.

Tinkering’ with software and programs forms a part of the ethos of the scheme as we want to develop pupils’ confidence when encountering new technology, which is a vital skill in the ever evolving and changing landscape of technology. Through our curriculum, we intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent and have a range of transferable skills at a suitable level for the future workplace, but also to be responsible online citizens.

The scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of Key Stage Attainment targets outlined in the National curriculum and the aims align with those in the National curriculum. When used in conjunction with Kapow’s RSE & PSHE scheme, our Computing scheme of work also satisfies all the objectives of the DfE’s Education for a Connected World framework. This guidance was created to help equip children for life in the digital world, including developing their understanding of appropriate online behaviour, copyright issues, being discerning consumers of online information and healthy use of technology.

The Kapow Primary scheme of work is designed with three strands which run throughout:

Computer science
Information technology
Digital literacy

The Kapow Primary scheme is organised into five key areas, creating a cyclical route through which pupils can develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning:

Computer systems and networks
Programming
Creating media
Data handling
Online safety

The implementation of Kapow Primary Computing ensures a broad and balanced coverage of the National curriculum requirements, and our ‘Skills showcase’ units provide pupils with the opportunity to learn and apply transferable skills. Where meaningful, units have been created to link to other subjects such as science, art, and music to enable the development of further transferable skills and genuine cross- curricular learning.

Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work as well as unplugged and digital activities. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles.

Differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning are available when required. Knowledge organisers for each unit support pupils in building a foundation of factual knowledge by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary.

Computing Curriculum Progression National Curriculum Coverage Computing

E-SAFETY

At Ashton Vale, we use the Internet on a regular basis as part of our learning. To be able to deal with the rewards and risks associated with this, we teach E-Safety as part of our ICT and PSHE curriculum. Our Computing curriculum ensures that we have regular activities based around E-safety reminding us how we are responsible to keep ourselves safe.

Below you can find links to e-safety resources. Click on them to find out more.

Year 1 and 2: Hector’s World

Year 3 and 4: Captain Kara’s SMART Adventures

Year 5 and 6: Cyber Cafe

Staying Safe at Home

The links below can help you to stay safe at home whilst using the Internet or any other technologies that you may have available.

the-little-guide-to-reporting-harmful-content

Think U know – containing internet safety advice for those aged from 5-16, along with parents and teachers.

NSPCC – Lots of current topics for parents on different aspects of online safety.

Be Smart online -useful advice for helping children to Smart online.

Kidscape – An organisation which helps to prevent bullying and child abuse.