Callington Primary School Logo

Computing

Overall curriculum
An Daras Multi Academy Trust has used the latest pedagogy, research and understanding of local contextual needs to structure the curriculum design to ensure the growth of capability mature children who exhibit a sustained curiosity for learning. The ‘lived values and experiences’ of pupils are determined by the individual school and should run through all operational elements of curriculum provision.
 
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, PSHE, SMSC and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
 
 Pedagogy
Our Computing curriculum focuses on developing our pupils through the acquisition of WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, and SKILLS.
 
These have been selected because they ensure the whole development of the child will be prioritised, they enable pupils to meet the expectations of the National Curriculum 14 and have ambitions beyond the NC14. Each theme has a set of curriculum tools which ensure it is fully embedded through the lived experiences of staff, children, and stakeholders. Impact scales will measure the effectiveness of curriculum provision on the growth of children within these three equally important themes.
 
It is our school’s intention to enable children to become independent and confident users of digital devices. To have a sound understanding of how they work, to use computational thinking (able to take complex problems and break them down into manageable steps) and to be able to use devices to store, organise and create their own work. We aim to provide learners with a structured programme that introduces relevant skills, knowledge and concepts related to the three main areas that make up the Computing curriculum; Computer Science, Digital Literacy and Information Technology. For this to be achieved, the school aims to be well equipped in all areas of Computing, allowing staff to teach Computing and the wider curriculum above and beyond the National Curriculum requirements.
 
Wisdom
Children develop in wisdom in the computing curriculum through:
- use computational thinking (able to take complex problems and break them down into manageable steps)
- independently applying skills and knowledge to new learning in computing
- debating ethical issues related to Internet use and online safety
- Understanding the broad and growing uses of technologies but also understanding the limitations or ‘dangers’ that can be present.
 
Knowledge
Children acquire knowledge in computing:
- following a structured programme that introduces then builds on relevant skills, knowledge and concepts related to the three main areas that make up the Computing curriculum; Computer Science, Digital Literacy and Information Technology
- the school ensuring it is well equipped and up-to-date in all areas of Computing, allowing staff to teach Computing and the wider curriculum above and beyond the National Curriculum requirements
- through the school having staff that are well trained and confident in the use and teaching of Computing
 
Capabilities
Children develop their capabilities:
- developing a sound understanding of how digital devices work, when and how to use them and when not to use them
- applying their skills to produce outcomes in all subjects using digital technologies 
- Independently using their learning effectively and being capable and ready for the next stage of their education and beyond into employment.
 
The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.

Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

 

Teachers will help pupils with SEND to overcome any barriers to participating and learning and make any ‘reasonable adjustments’ needed to include pupils. To make lessons inclusive, teachers will anticipate what barriers to taking part and learning may pose for pupils with SEND. Some modifications or adjustments will be made or smaller steps to achieve the learning goal. Occasionally, pupils with SEND will have to work on different activities, or towards different learning intentions, from their peers.

Purple Mash

At Callington we use the computing scheme ‘Purple Mash’.  Purple Mash enables us to teach computing effectively and well by providing a rich, broad and balanced computing curriculum fully mapped to the National Curriculum (2014) for Computing in Key Stage 1 and 2.  It offers pupils a computing curriculum designed for mastery, using research-led computing pedagogies and covers all three strands of the computing curriculum:

·        Computer Science

·        Information Technology

·        Digital Literacy (incl eSafety)

Computer Science teaches pupils about how digital systems work, how they are designed and programmed, and the fundamental principles of information and computation. Pupils are inspired to use these to analyse and evaluate digital errors and use their knowledge to problems solve.

 Digital Literacy teaches pupils to find, organise, evaluate and create information using digital technology.  Digital Literacy is the ability to use computer systems confidently and effectively, including:

•             Basic keyboard and mouse skills.

•             Simple use of ‘office applications’ such as word processing, presentations and spreadsheets.

•             Use of the Internet, including browsing, searching and creating content for the Web, communication and collaboration via e-mail, social networks, collaborative workspace and discussion forums.

•             Storing, organizing and creating digital content.

 Information Technology deals with the creative and productive use and application of computer systems, especially in organisations, including considerations of e-safety, privacy, ethics, and intellectual property.