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Computing

Intent

At Winlaton West Lane, we use computing and ICT across out whole curriculum to enhance and develop learning and understanding, as well as bringing lessons to life. This is because we know that the development of the digital world, including AI, will have a major impact on our children’s futures and employability, and we want to ensure that they are well prepared to enter a technology-driven workforce of the future, taking on many careers and roles which may not even exist yet. As a result, the use of technology is not only embraced through the discrete teaching of computing, but can also be seen underpinning various aspects of our curriculum to immerse children in an increasingly computerised world.

Implementation

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • Can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including, coding, debugging, 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.

KS1: 

Pupils should be taught to:

  • 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 behaviour of simple programs.
  • Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.
  • Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.
  • Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

KS2: 

Pupils should be taught to:

  • 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.

We meet National Curriculum expectations for Computing through our own scheme of work. This scheme of work has been broken down into four core strands: Information Technology, Computer Science Theory, Coding and Computational Thinking, and Online Safety. The skills acquired are then embedded throughout the curriculum in all subjects. Online Safety lessons are mapped to the ‘Education for a Connected World’ framework and some of these activities will be reinforced via RSE lessons and during assemblies. A yearly overview breaks up these strands across all three terms to ensure even coverage throughout the year. Teachers are able to use the scheme of work developed to meet the national curriculum guidelines in a variety of creative ways.

Information Technology

Information technology is all about selecting, combining and presenting content in the most appropriate way. Our children have access to laptop computers and IPADs regularly so they are able to use a range of technological equipment to practise a variety of skills. 

We have a selection of programs in school for the children to apply their Information Technology skills. We use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft PowerPoint to create presentations. The children also learn to hyperlink to the internet and other slides.

Children are also able to create EBooks using IPADs. This array of opportunities enables children to become confident technology users and gives them the skills and knowledge to decide which program is best to use for individual tasks. 

As a school, we also use 2Simple for a variety of different activities to demonstrate the importance of organisation and storing and presenting data in a fluid manner.

Computer Science-coding and computational thinking

Computer Science is all about helping our children understand how computers work. Coding is all around us. It is in the games that we play, the apps on our phones and appliances we use in the house. Therefore, it is vital for children to learn how to code successfully to understand how technology works in the world around us. 

In order to ensure children understand the basic concepts of coding, we teach many ‘unplugged’ activities to show children what coding actually is. Children will hear many technical terms such as algorithms, which is a sequence of instructions and these unplugged activities provide children with the opportunity to give instructions to their partner to direct them around a maze or give instructions to Bluebots or mind robots etc. Within these lessons, children learn the importance of perseverance, problem solving, decomposition, debugging and team work. These lessons then help children in KS1 access mind robot apps and Scratch Junior and children in KS2 to access and use Scratch and bluebots effectively. Each year group has their own set of objectives to meet. 

Computer Science-Theory 

Computer Science theory is giving the children knowledge of computer systems and how they work. Children may use a wide range of digital devices in their day to day life, but have little understanding of how that device works and the component parts which enable it to function correctly. Computer Science Theory strand of learning, aims to provide children with an understanding of the inner workings of technology and how it works. From identifying the main parts of a computer to understanding how WIFI is distributed and how devices are able to connect to it. Over time, children should develop a secure understanding of the mechanisms involved in digital technology.

Online Safety 

Online safety is incredibly important in a world where our children are constantly exposed to various forms of technology and applications it is crucial that they understand how to keep themselves safe online. At Winlaton West Lane our Online Safety lessons are mapped to the ‘Education for a Connected World’ framework and some of these activities will be reinforced via RSE lessons and during assemblies. There are eight strands in total: self-image and identity, online relationships, online reputation, online bullying, managing information online, health wellbeing and lifestyle, privacy and security and finally copyrite and ownership.

Impact

We measure the impact of our Computing curriculum with various formative methods of assessment including self and peer assessment. Children assess each other’s work and suggest constructive developments. E.g. Children find bugs in one another’s coding and with perseverance, debug and progress further. Children’s work across all four strands is saved on the school system or on Seesaw. The Computing coordinator monitors the teaching and evidence of Computing through observations and work and planning scrutinies. We use our Computing knowledge organisers to revisit and revise prior learning and assess how the children have retained their learning and refer to our assessment document to ensure all children are progressing across the different key stages.

As well as assessing the skills, knowledge and understanding that children have developed in the subject, we also consider their level of enjoyment and engagement. This allows us to download more up to date apps and base the children’s learning on topics of interest. This also allows us to discover those children who have a flair in computing and help develop their talents even further.

Computing website pages

Covers all areas of the curriculum:

Coding specifically:

Online safety:

KS1 specific:

KS2 specific:

General:

Websites for parents:

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