Computing
Intent
At Roundhay St John’s, we want to prepare our children for the technological world we live in. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal role in our pupils’ lives, now and in their future. We want our pupils to become digitally literate at a level suitable for the future workplace and active participants in a digital world. Therefore, we will model and educate our pupils on the positive, responsible, creative and safe use of technology.
Our aim is to provide all pupils with a broad, deep understanding of the computing curriculum and how it impacts their daily lives, and the world around them. Our curriculum will build the skills needed to become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
We want our pupils to be creators of digital content and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy will reflect this. Online Safety is paramount and is threaded throughout our computing curriculum. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice to be made when using technology and model how it can be used positively. We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils.
Implementation
We use the Purple Mash online platform and our lessons are based around their scheme of work. We have a comprehensive progression document for staff to follow to cover and embed every element of the computing curriculum. Through a clear sequence of unit plans and individual lessons, pupils have the opportunity to embed previous learning as well as being introduced to new skills and challenges.
Each class has at least one weekly, timetabled session in the Learning Resource Centre. Additionally, each year group has access to laptops and iPads which they are able to use to support learning in Computing lessons and across the wider curriculum.
In Key Stage 1, the focus is on:
- Using technology safely and Online safety
- Algorithms and simple coding
- Using technology purposefully to find and present data
- Using technology purposefully to create digital content
- Technology use beyond school
By the end of Key Stage 2, the skills acquired within Key Stage 1 are developed further. Additionally, pupils develop their understanding of:
- Recognising acceptable and unacceptable use of technology
- Designing, writing and debugging programs to achieve a specific goal
- Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work
- Communications and networks
- Combining software and using presenting tools
We encourage staff to try to embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. By Upper Key Stage 2, our pupils will be fluent with a range of tools to best express their understanding and will have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set by teachers.
Teaching staff are provided with assessment tools to enable them to confidently assess their pupils’ progress against the skills taught.
Impact
Our children will discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well-being in a digital world. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style. We feel the way we implement computing helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can continue to build on in their next stage of education and beyond.
Teachers will have high expectations of pupils and will gather evidence in a variety of formats including reviewing pupil’s knowledge and skills digitally using Purple Mash assessment tools and observing learning regularly. By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will be confident users of a range of hardware and software and will be able to talk about technology using the correct terminology. They will have the skills needed for the next stage of their lives.
Computing & Online Safety Long Term Plan
Computing Progression of Skills
Online Safety Progression of Skills
