South Hill Primary School

 

At South Hill, we understand the importance of technology in a rapidly changing society. As it has always been, the children of today will develop and use the technologies of tomorrow. Therefore, we need to foster their basic knowledge and understanding of the technologies that they use today. 

 

The computing curriculum is divided into 3 key concepts; Digital Literacy (DL), Information Technology (IT) and Computer Science (CS)

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DL

Digital literacy is about the safe and responsible use of technology, including recognising its advantages for collaboration or communication.

 

CS

Computer science will introduce children of all ages to understanding how computers and networks work. It will also give all children the opportunity to learn basic computer programming, from simple floor robots in EYs, Years 1 and 2, right up to creating on-screen computer games and programmes by Year 6.

 

IT

Information technology is about the use of computers for functional purposes, such as collecting and presenting information, or using search technology.

 

DL

Digital literacy is about the safe and responsible use of technology, including recognising its advantages for collaboration or communication.

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Within digital literacy, children can develop their understanding of computing, using a range of resources to meet the new National Curriculum Objectives for digital literacy, including: use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content.

As part of information technology, children learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through ICT for example writing and presenting as well as exploring art and design using multimedia. They will learn different purposes that technology can be used for. For example, the internet provides multiple services, such as the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration and using search engine effectively and evaluate digital content. In addition, children with gain an understanding that computer networks provide multiple services and links to practical use for example understanding how barcodes and QR codes work recognising uses of information technology beyond school.

In computer science we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. Building on these skills throughout the years, children will be demonstrating their computational thinking skills by designing, writing and debugging programs that accomplish specific goals and solving problems by decomposing them into smaller parts. They will gain a deep understanding what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions. Children develop their programming expertise through the use of physical robots such as the Code and Go mouse in EYFS, Bee-Bots in KS1 through to Crumble Kits and Micro:bits in KS2.

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Intent

At South Hill Primary, we use the NCCE – Teach Computing and Project Evolve units to deliver the three concepts area of the computing curriculum. We intend that children should master Computing to such an extent that they can go on to have careers and make use of Computing effectively in their everyday lives, without being completely reliant on technology. They are also taught to use technology responsibly and carefully, being mindful of how their behaviour, words and actions can affect others. Our pupils will be taught Computing in a way that ensures progression of skills and allows opportunities to revisit these skills year on year.

Teachers are also aware of the importance of making small adaptations where necessary to support all learners and how technology can be used to support and enhance a range of subjects whilst allowing pupils to apply their skills.

 

 

Implementation

In our teaching of Computing, we endeavour to expose students to a variety of software, programs, and equipment in order to offer a range of appropriate challenges and experiences. Specific vocabulary for each year group is outlined in medium term plans and this is regularly modelled by teachers within their lessons.

Spaced repetition and chunking within the curriculum allows pupils to develop their recall of embedded knowledge and ensures that each year group works on core aspects of the three Computing strands. Sessions are adapted to meet the requirements of a specific cohort and lesson content is frequently reviewed by class teachers and the subject lead. Our schemes of work remain flexible and children share their thoughts on their ‘computing learning journeys’ to help enable sessions to be adapted to their interests and needs.

In the Early Years, children have access to iPads, the Code and Go Mouse and recordable books. They also work with their ‘Year 6 Buddies’, who guide their curiosity by modelling how to use the equipment carefully and safely. In the summer term, children spend time in the computing hub to help familiarise them with a desktop setup and ease their transition into KS1.

 

 

Impact

The lasting impact of this curriculum ensures that when children leave South Hill Primary School, they are competent and safe users of ICT with an understanding of how technology works. They will have developed skills to express themselves and be creative in using digital media and be equipped to apply their skills in computing to different challenges going forward whilst using technology safety.

We measure the impact of our curriculum using the following methods:

· Termly teacher assessments.

· Images of the children’s practical learning in a year group portfolio

· Children’s work saved onto their individual accounts

· Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).

· Year group portfolios are scrutinised and there is the opportunity for a dialogue between teachers to understand their class’s work.

Children in EYFS are assessed within Understand the World and their progress is tracked termly using Tapestry.

 

 

Each class is allocated a weekly time slot to use the ‘Computing Hub’ which houses 30 computers and laptops. In addition to this, classes have access to a set of Chromebooks, 30 iPads and a further set of 15 laptops, which can be used to support the teaching and learning of other subjects.  

Classes are also provided with digital projectors, interactive whiteboards and visualisers to support and teaching across the curriculum.