Computing

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

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, 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.

At Houghton Conquest, Computing is taught weekly alongside discrete learning opportunities with technology in other subject areas. We understand the importance of Computing and the role this will take in future career opportunities. As children move through the school they will build upon prior learning and experience this within a new unit or expand upon their existing knowledge. Our school has a brilliant range of technology, with enough laptops for one per person and some tablets within each classroom.

We use a Computing curriculum called Kapow, which aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology. The scheme of work assesses pupils against the National Curriculum and ensures each unit is taught so children meet the end of Key Stage attainment targets.

Intent

At Houghton Conquest we intend that our children should master computing to such an extent that they can go on to have careers within computing and make use of computing effectively in their everyday lives, without being completely reliant on technology.

Our children will be taught to use technology responsibly and carefully, being mindful of how their behaviour, words and actions can affect others.

Our children will be taught computing in a way that ensures progression of skills and follows a sequence to build on previous learning.

Our children will gain experience and skills of a wide range of technology in a way that will enhance their learning opportunities, enabling them to use technology across a range of subjects to be creative and solve problems, ensuring they make progress.

Implementation

We follow a broad and balanced computing curriculum that builds on previous learning and provides both support and challenge for learners. We follow a computing scheme that ensures progression of skills and covers all aspects of the computing curriculum.

All classes will have a scheduled computing lesson each week as well as computing being discretely taught alongside other subjects. Children’s work will be stored on Google Drive for reference and assessment.

We want to ensure that computing is embedded in our whole school curriculum and that opportunities for enhancing learning by using technology are always taken.

Impact

Our children enjoy and value computing and know why they are doing things, not just how. Children will understand and appreciate the value of computing in the context of their personal wellbeing and the technological, creative and cultural industries and their many career opportunities.

Progress in computing is demonstrated through regularly reviewing, assessing and scrutinising children’s work ensuring that progression of skills is taking place. Namely through:

• Looking at pupils’ work, especially over time as they gain skills and knowledge
• Observing how they perform in lessons
• Talking to them about what they know
• Unit assessments at the start and end of the units

The computing curriculum will contribute to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection. This would be seen in them being able to talk confidently about their work and sharing their work with others.

Progress will be shown through outcomes and through the important record of the process leading to them.

Computing – Curriculum Overview
Computing – Progression of Skills
Computing – Long Term Plan