Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Callington Primary School, our computing curriculum is designed to equip all children, regardless of their background, with a secure and confident understanding of computing and technology to suitably prepare them for life in an ever-evolving digital world. We understand the immense value technology plays not only in supporting the Computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school. Our pupils will have access to a variety of high quality hardware, software and unplugged resources to ensure they become digitally literate and digitally resilient. Therefore, computing at Callington Primary School will equip pupils with skills, strategies and knowledge that will enable them to reap the benefits of the online world, whilst being able to minimise risk to themselves or others. We support children in becoming responsible, respectful and creative users of information and communication technology. Promoting the importance of E-safety and staying safe online following the SMART rules is the forefront of our computing curriculum. We aim for all children to feel confident knowing how to keep themselves and others safe while using the internet and communication technology and know who to contact if they have concerns.
Implementation
To ensure high quality teaching and learning of computing, we provide a comprehensive, progressive and engaging curriculum that builds upon, deepens and consolidates prior learning each year. Our Computing progression model is broken down into three strands that make up the computing curriculum. These are Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Computer Science underlines the knowledge and skills relating to programming, coding, algorithms and computational thinking. Information Technology underlines the knowledge and skills relating to communication, multimedia and data representation and handling. Digital Literacy underlines the knowledge and skills relating to online safety and technology uses. Topics are revisited in subsequent year groups at a deeper level to enhance children’s knowledge, understanding and skillset across the computing curriculum as they continue to gain confidence within the subject. We use the Purple Mash schemes of work to deliver broad, balanced and well-resourced computing lessons that exceed the statutory guidance for programmes of study for Computing and other related legislative guidance (online safety). Purple Mash provides a broad, play-based experience of computing in a range of contexts to support the delivery of computing in EYFS and comprehensive unit plans for Year 1 to Year 6. Units are practical and engaging and allow computing lessons to be hands on. The units covered include online safety, coding, algorithms, presenting data, effective searching, spreadsheets and presenting ideas. Units range in length from 2 to 6 weeks with new units being taught each term. Sessions are differentiated to support all pupils to learn at a level and pace that is appropriate to their needs. We recognise that computing is a specialist subject and teachers are not necessarily computing specialists. In addition to providing clear coverage of the computing curriculum, Purple Mash provides support and CPD to allow all teachers to confidently deliver high quality lessons.
Our pupils are encouraged to engage with ICT and technology outside of school. Every member of staff and child in the school have individual logins to the Purple Mash online portal which they can access in school and at home. Teachers can set tasks and pupils can save tasks they have completed. The portal also provides age-appropriate software, games, activities and materials to support children’s learning across the curriculum.
In addition to the discrete Purple Mash sessions, computing has strong cross curricular links to the other foundation and core subjects stated in the National Curriculum. Using search engines to research a topic and producing and publishing a document or presentation, all contribute to providing the children at our school with broad and varied computing experiences.
Computing and safeguarding go hand in hand and a we provide a huge focus on internet safety inside and outside of the classroom. Additional to all pupils studying an online safety unit through their computing lessons, every term we hold e-safety days with a theme that we think best suits the current landscape of online safety and the issues that our pupils face online. Internet Safety assemblies are also held as well as parent internet safety workshops and parent information in weekly newsletters.
We have a wide range of devices available for the children to use to support their computing learning including laptops, iPad, Learn Pads, iPods and bee-bots.
Impact
Monitoring the teaching and learning of computing is the primary responsibility of the computing leaders. They monitor coverage and progress in each year group. Pupil attainment is assessed using the 2Simple Computing Assessment Tool for Years 1 to 6. Tracking of attainment by using the 2Simple Computing Assessment Tool is used to inform future planning. Children are encouraged to self, peer and group assess work in a positive way using online collaborative tools. Formative assessment is undertaken each session in Computing and pupils are very much encouraged to be involved in that process. All teachers are expected to keep examples of their children’s work on their Purple Mash portals.
Monitoring will be achieved by: