Intent:
Computing at Silverdale Primary Academy intends to develop ‘thinkers of the future’ through a modern, ambitious and relevant education in computing, designed to balance acquiring a broad and deep knowledge alongside opportunities to apply skills in various digital contexts.
We want to equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity that will enable them to become active and safe participants in the digital world. It is important to us that the children understand how to use the ever-changing technology to express themselves, as tools for learning and as a means to drive their generation forward into the future and are to be able to participate effectively and safely in this digital world.
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
Whilst ensuring they understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with online experiences, 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.
Implementation:
We follow a broad and balanced Computing curriculum (based upon the National Curriculum) that builds on previous learning and provides both support and challenge for learners. We follow a Computing scheme from the National Centre for Computing Education (NCEE) that ensures progression of skills and covers all aspects of the Computing curriculum called ‘Teach Computing’.
Early Years is the first opportunity to develop our children’s digital understanding. We implement our computing curriculum by following the interests of the children through the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which aims to guide children to make sense of their physical world and their community. Children are exposed to a variety of technologies throughout continuous provision such has having access to phones, ovens and laptops. Children also start programming in EYFS with Beebot machines.
In KS1 and KS2 the computing curriculum is organised around four key areas: Creating Media, Programming, Computer Systems and Networks and Data and information. These disciplinary skills are built on year upon year to prepare children for KS3 and the wider world. In an ever expanding, we want to ensure children understand how to keep themselves save online and why it is important to do so. Working alongside the PSHE curriculum, we ensure that e-safety is embedded across all units.
All classes will have a scheduled Computing lesson each week and there will be an expectation that technology will be utilised throughout other lessons in the curriculum. Links to other areas of the curriculum are planned out in advance so that children have the opportunity to apply their computing knowledge in other subjects.
Impact:
Our Computing curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. Computing has a high profile across the school and children can discuss the skills and knowledge they have with confidence whilst valuing online safety and respect whilst communication with their peers and others in the digital world. Children are able to understand the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. They also know how to evaluate and apply information technology, including unfamiliar technologies analytically so solve problems and, crucially, are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.