Computing

Intent

Computing at Sandon JMI intends to be modern, ambitious and engaging. We want to equip pupils to be safe, active and creative participants in the digital world. It is important to us that our children understand how to use ever-changing technology to express themselves, as tools for learning and as a means to drive their generation forward into the future. We want children to develop as respectful, responsible and confident users of technology, aware of measures that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe online.

Our aim is to provide a computing curriculum that is designed to balance acquiring a broad and deep knowledge alongside opportunities to apply skills in various digital contexts. Beyond teaching computing discreetly, we will give pupils the opportunity to apply and develop what they have learnt across wider learning in the curriculum. We acknowledge that future generations will rely heavily on their computational confidence and digital skills in order to support their progress within their chosen career paths.

Implementation

In Early Years, we develop computational thinking by using Barefoot Computing where children apply skills such as logic, patterns and decomposition in unplugged activities that provide a foundations to build upon later on in their education.

We use the NCCE Teach Computing scheme from Year 1-6. It provides an innovative progression framework where computing content (concepts, knowledge, skills and objectives) have been organised into interconnected networks (learning graphs) where the learning journey is mapped to detail necessary steps (components) which lead to a variety of destinations (composites). Units are based on a spiral curriculum, meaning that each of the themes is revisited regularly (at least once in each year group), and pupils revisit each theme through a new unit that consolidates and builds on prior learning within that theme. This style of curriculum design reduces the amount of knowledge lost through forgetting, as topics are revisited yearly, helping learning to become ‘sticky’. Through this scheme, we will equip children with the relevant skills and knowledge that is required to understand the three core areas of Computing (Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy).

Every class has an interactive whiteboard and in KS2, every child has their own designated iPad. This allows children to develop using their skills in other subjects. We also have a class set of laptops, micro:bits, crumble controllers, Bee-Bots, and x2 Raspberry Pi 5’ to give children the hands-on opportunities to develop their physical computing.

We evidence our computing lessons through a class ‘floorbook’ where evidence from each lesson is stored. This can be unplugged resources such as worksheets, photos, screenshots or printouts of children’s work. Feedback in lessons is instant and ‘in the moment’. Teachers are encouraged to allow children to showcase excellent examples of work through the interactive whiteboard, or to use this as a tool for students to provide feedback and support to their peers.

Impact

After the implementation of this robust computing curriculum, children at Sandon JMI School will be digitally literate. They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly – safely.

Impact will be measured through:

Formative and summative assessments during each unit of work.
Annual assessment data with data analysed to ensure all learners all making progress.
Regular monitoring of e-Safety and online incidents on the school’s communication system (CPOMS).
E-safety questionnaires and wellbeing surveys.