“I think it’s fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we’ve ever created. They’re tools of communication, they’re tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.”

 Bill Gates

“Computer science empowers students to create the world of tomorrow.”

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

 

Computing Lead in school – Mrs O Clayton

 

Curriculum Intent

Toner Avenue’s Computing curriculum aims to promote a life-long curiosity and love of learning through accessible digital learning and through ever-advancing technology. We aim to encourage our children to consider their role within the wider world through online safety; teaching about their online reputations, relationships and how to manage online information. We hope to teach our children how they can make a positive impact to their online world.

We want our pupils to be creators not just consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. 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. Our Computing curriculum also ensure that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, express themselves and develop ideas through information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as part of the digital world.

Curriculum Implementation

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • Can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
  • Can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
  • Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
  • Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

We meet National Curriculum expectations for Computing through our scheme of work – Kapow. We are also introducing units from the Teach Computing scheme where we feel this is more suitable to our pupils. Our scheme of work has been broken down into the three core strands: Digital Literacy, Information Technology and Computer Science. A yearly overview breaks up these strands across all three terms to ensure even coverage throughout the year. Year groups complete a unit of work each half term. Medium term plans map out these units in detail. Units follow the Kapow Computing scheme but have been adapted where necessary to suit the needs of Toner Avenue pupils. This enables staff to teach Computing in an imaginative, engaging and creative way. 

We recognise that our children have differing levels of ability and employ a range of teaching strategies to both support and challenge children in order to access learning and reach their full potential. This includes the use of peer teaching, adult support and small group, scaffolded learning. We also provide technology (when required) to our SEN and EAL children within school to support their learning across the curriculum.

Enhancement visits and specialist equipment opportunities are planned throughout the school year to provide opportunities for the children to apply their knowledge and skills. These include in school E-Safety workshops and robotic workshops at the Openzone.

Online Safety

Online safety objectives are taught explicitly for one lesson at the start of each half term as well as being interwoven throughout units and across our curriculum. We have chosen this approach to allow our children to continuously build upon their knowledge throughout their school year; encouraging our children to become responsible users of ICT.

Our Computing online safety lesson objectives are taken from Education for a Connected World document (DFE 2020). These cover all 8 strands of online safety:

  • Self image and identity
  • Online relationships
  • Online reputation
  • Online bullying
  • Managing online information
  • Health, wellbeing and lifestyle
  • Privacy and security
  • Copyright and ownership

More information about online safety can be found in our E-Safety policy.

Online safety objectives can also be explicitly found in our PSHE and RSE curriculum.

Curriculum Impact

We measure the impact of our Computing curriculum with various formative methods of assessment including self and peer assessment and verbal feedback. Children’s work across all three strands are evidenced through online accounts, Computing shared drives, Seesaw QR codes or in workbooks. This evidence includes pictures and a description of unplugged activities, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Scratch projects, and any work completed on Online Safety, including posters, photographs and evidence of discussions, spider diagrams etc.

Our curriculum will allow our children to:

  • Recognise the important role technology has in the lives of their education and their future lives in the workplace; ensuring their are digitally literate.
  • Become creators in computing; giving them the ability to explore the vast opportunities technology has to offer.
  • Appreciate access to technology at home and use it safely to make progress in their learning and social skills.
  • Access up to date devices and resources that will enable them to achieve their best.
  • Understand the potential risks online as well as knowing and understanding how to safeguard themselves and others online.