Computing   

Intent, Implementation and Impact

Computing is such an important life skill. Technology is part of everyday life and for most of us, is essential to our lives at home and at work.  At Alwoodley Primary, we learn vital Computing skills and knowledge as well as ensuring technology is embedded throughout the curriculum.

Intent 

At Alwoodley Primary School we want pupils to be MASTERS of technology and not slaves to it. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in students' lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely (see out Online Safety overview). We want our pupils to be creators not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. Our knowledge rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful computer scientists. We encourage staff to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible.

Implementation

At Alwoodley Primary, we have created a comprehensive progression document for staff to follow to best embed and cover every element of the computing curriculum. The knowledge/skills statements build year on year to deepen and challenge our learners. Computing is taught in discreet computing lessons. The computing curriculum is delivered through our own scheme of work, based initially on Purple Mash scheme of work. Every lesson in our scheme has been individually planned so that it can be effectively taught using the infrastructure we have in place at school and so that it can meet the needs of all our pupils. Our scheme has been closely referenced against the 2014 National Curriculum attainment targets in order to ensure progression and coverage. Having discreet lessons means that the children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics. Where appropriate, meaningful links will be made between the computing curriculum at the wider curriculum. In computing lessons, the children will use either the iPads, MacBooks or desktops computers in order to access a range of apps and software. Discreet computing lessons will focus on the curriculum skills of information technology, digital literacy and computer science. We also believe that Online Safety is essential in ensuring children are safe in the digital world: We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education. Online Safety is both embedded within lessons where appropriate and taught discreetly (see Online Safety overview).

Impact

We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. We will constantly ask the WHY behind their learning and not just the HOW. The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work will best show the impact of our curriculum. We also look for evidence through reviewing pupil’s knowledge and skills digitally through tools like Google Drive, saved work on the school network and observing learning regularly. Much of the subject-specific knowledge developed in our computing lessons equip pupils with experiences which will benefit them in secondary school, further education and future workplaces.

Implementation

Recommended Computing Websites

If you have any questions regarding the curriculum we teach please contact the school directly.