Intent

The National Curriculum for Computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
1. Understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science (including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation).
2. Analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs to solve problems.
3. Evaluate and apply information technology.
4. Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

At Heskin Pemberton’s, each of these skills are embedded within our curriculum and we ensure that we provide opportunities to apply computing skills in a variety of digital contexts, so that our pupils become active participants in the digital world. We understand that technology is part of each child’s everyday life, and it is increasingly important in our ever-changing world of technology that children have positive experiences. They may use technology to express themselves, both as tools for learning and as a means to drive the generation forward into the future.

Implementation

Planning: To achieve the aims of the National Curriculum and our school values, Computing is taught on a half termly basis using The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) scheme from Year 1 to Year 6, with Barefoot Computing resources used in Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children experience computational thinking. We operate these on a two year cycle. There are 4 units covered in each year group per year, and these units are adapted with other resources to create a bespoke curriculum for the needs of our children. When Computing is not explicitly taught, it is taught discretely through other curriculum areas. We also regularly communicate with our feeder high school, and NCCE hub, to ensure progression in skills to Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Teaching: At Heskin Pemberton’s, we employ a range of teaching styles to ensure the Computing curriculum excites the children and we ensure that the children use this in other curriculum areas to strengthen their learning further. In order to support Safeguarding and the importance of understanding computing as a lifelong skill, teachers ensure that children know how to use their skills safely and responsibly, particularly through the PSHE curriculum and as such, is continuously reinforced. Children also have access to a range of resources to support their learning, including, laptops, ipads, beebots and a large number of apps, such as Seesaw, which are integral to their learning and communication with parents and guardians. To support our teaching of the computing curriculum further, staff also attend CPD opportunities through our Teaching Alliance and with our local NCCE hub school to ensure teaching excellence.

Leadership, Assessment and Feedback: Assessment informs the teaching and learning sequence, and progress is assessed on an on-going basis using the NCCE ‘I can’ statements for each area of Computing, which is well aligned to the National Curriculum and a smooth progression to Key Stage 3. Pupils receive regular live feedback and we actively encourage them to share their work to our online learning platform Seesaw to ensure they see the purpose of their work. As our Computing curriculum is integral to our safeguarding work at school, children also complete bi-annual assessments and work via E-Aware to check their understanding and areas for improvement. This informs future planning and provides feedback to the parents to ensure that children are working in a safe manner. Assessment is then fed back to the SLT, Headteacher and Governors for future guidance and areas of improvement across school.

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. We want learners to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well-being. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy lifestyle. We feel the way we implement computing helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can continue to build on in their next stage of education and beyond. We encourage regular discussions between staff and pupils to best embed and understand this. 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 Seesaw and observing learning regularly. Progress of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through outcomes and the record of coverage in the process of achieving these outcomes.