Computing
Subject Leader: Zayn Bhojani
Intent
Our intent for the teaching and learning of Computing is that it should permeate the curriculum seamlessly, allowing our children to learn creatively and experiment with new ways of learning. We aim to enhance teaching and learning throughout the school by fully integrating Computing across all aspects of the curriculum in order to develop ambitious learners. We aim to use a broad range of interactive technology, ensuring that each lesson is memorable. We also aim to use technology to enhance connections with parents and the extended diversity of our ‘school community’. Finally, we will ensure that children can safeguard themselves effectively through ongoing teaching of e-safety, and striving to be aware of developing technologies in school. Effective Computing will allow our children to develop the necessary digital literacy and technological understanding needed to be a safe and positive digital citizen in the modern world.
Implementation
At Little Bowden, Computing is delivered discretely through a weekly lesson in Years 1-6. This dedicated time gives the learners ample time to explore new concepts, learn new skills and discover new uses for technology. Computing planning is in line with the National Curriculum using Teach Computing. The Teach Computing Curriculum (ncce.io/tcc) is a comprehensive collection of materials produced to support 500 hours of teaching; facilitating the delivery of the entire Computing curriculum from key stage 1 to 4 (5- to 16-year-olds). The Teach Computing Curriculum was created by the Raspberry Pi Foundation on behalf of the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). All content is free, and editable under the Open Government Licence (OGL — ncce.io/ogl), ensuring that the resources can be tailored to each individual teacher and school setting.
The Teach Computing Curriculum uses the National Centre for Computing Education’s computing taxonomy to ensure comprehensive coverage of the subject. This has been developed through a thorough review of the KS1–4 computing programme of study, and the GCSE and A level computer science specifications across all awarding bodies. All learning outcomes can be described through a high-level taxonomy of ten strands, ordered alphabetically as follows:
· Algorithms — Be able to comprehend, design, create, and evaluate algorithms
· Computer networks — Understand how networks can be used to retrieve and share information, and how they come with associated risks
· Computer systems — Understand what a computer is, and how its constituent parts function together as a whole
· Creating media — Select and create a range of media including text, images, sounds, and video
· Data and information — Understand how data is stored, organised, and used to represent real-world artefacts and scenarios
· Design and development — Understand the activities involved in planning, creating, and evaluating computing artefacts
· Effective use of tools — Use software tools to support computing work
· Impact of technology — Understand how individuals, systems, and society as a whole interact with computer systems
· Programming — Create software to allow computers to solve problems
· Safety and security — Understand risks when using technology, and how to protect individuals and systems.
Impact
The effective teaching of Computing will impact Little Bowden learners in these ways:
· They will be digitally literate and able to select from a range of tools and skills to create a digital outcome for a given task.
· They will understand that technology needs to be used with, and treated with, respect.
· They will understand how the internet works.
· They will understand the benefits and potential dangers of using the internet.
· They will help themselves and others to minimise the risks of being online and know how to manage any potentially dangerous incidents.
· They will understand the power of algorithms and how they impact our daily lives.
· They will be able to take creative approaches towards problem solving and use logical thinking to support their solutions.
· They will be 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.
