Intent
Computing is part of our everyday lives, it is constantly advancing and it is used widely in the world around us. At Gastrells, our aim is to provide children with the skills to be able to utilise computing throughout their day in an enjoyable, exciting and informative way. We follow the National Curriculum programmes of study for computing (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239033/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Computing.pdf), and we aim to deliver this curriculum in an engaging, progressive and creative way to ensure that all children are confident with how to use technology safely when they leave Gastrells.
Throughout the computing curriculum, we aim to ensure children have developed the knowledge and skills across the three main areas:
- Computer Science (programming and understanding how digital systems work)
- Information Technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information)
- Digital Literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely).
We encourage staff to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of tools to best express their understanding and hope by Upper Key Stage 2, children have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set by teachers. Overall, our aim is to enable children to be independent learners with confidence to participate positively in a rapidly-changing world in which all aspects of daily life are being constantly transformed by technology.
Implementation
Our scheme of work for Computing is adapted from the ‘Teach Computing’ Curriculum and covers all aspects of the National Curriculum. This scheme was chosen as it has been created by subject experts and based on the latest pedagogical research. It provides an innovative progression framework for computing content (concepts, knowledge, skills and objectives).
The curriculum aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future. The curriculum can be broken down into 3 strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy, with the aims of the national curriculum reflecting this distinction.
Impact
Our approach to the Computing curriculum results in a positive, engaging, and broad ranging computing education. Pupils at Gastrells are confident and enthusiastic in using ICT, and leave the school able to apply their experience and skills in computing to support them as independent learners. Computing at Gastrells gives children a foundation in the subject to build upon, that will enable them to engage positively and safely in the modern, digital world in the next stage of their lives. Knowledge developed in computing lessons at Gastrells equips pupils with experiences which will be increasingly essential in secondary school, further education and employment: critical thinking, sequential analysis, and problem solving; use and application of presentation and creative software tools; applying computer technology as a means to develop, research and communicate ideas and information.
E-Safety
A key part of implementing our computing curriculum was to ensure that safety of our pupils is paramount. We take online safety very seriously and we aim to give children the necessary skills to keep themselves safe online. Children have a right to enjoy childhood online, to access safe online spaces and to benefit from all the opportunities that a connected world can bring them, appropriate to their age and stage.
Children build online resilience through the use of the ‘Project Evolve – Education for a Connected World’ framework. The framework aims to support and broaden the provision of online safety education, so that it is empowering, builds resilience and effects positive culture change. The objectives promote the development of safe and appropriate long-term behaviours, and support educators in shaping the culture within their setting and beyond.
Computing and eSafety Coverage
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Owls | Computing Systems and networks – Technology around us | Data and information – Grouping data | Programming A – Programming a robot Programming B – Programming animations |
| Peregrines | Computing Systems and networks – IT around us | Creating Media – Digital photography & music | Programming A – Robot algorithms |
| Ospreys | Computing Systems and networks – Connecting computers | Data and information – Branching Databases | Programming A – Sequencing sound |
| Sparrowhawks | Computing Systems and networks – The Internet | Creating Media – Audio production & Photo editing | Programming A – Repetition in shapes |
| Goshawks | Computing Systems and networks – Systems and Searching | Data and information – Flat-file databases | Programming A – Selection in physical computing |
| Eagles | Computing Systems and networks – Communication and Collaboration | Creating media – Webpage creating & 3D modelling | Programming A – Variables in games |
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