Computing
- understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (CS)
- be able to analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems (CS)
- evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (IT)
- be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology (DL)
During 2022/23 our computing curriculum was completely redesigned in order to ensure it is broad, balanced and progressive covering all areas outlined within the aims of the National Curriculum: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. See image above.
Through our new curriculum it is our ambition to ensure pupils become confident and competent users of a range of technology which will support them both in and outside of school and prepare them for later life through providing technological innovation and sound subject knowledge. The ideas of Computing will be applied to understanding real-world systems and creating purposeful products. Our pupils will gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers.
Our newly designed computing curriculum focuses on the development of practical skills in which invention and resourcefulness are encouraged, enabling our pupils to solve problems, design systems, and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence.
Digital Literacy and E-Safety is a thread running through the whole of our computing curriculum both within taught lessons and our extended curriculum across the school. It is our responsibility to ensure that children know how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly and they are able to recognise unacceptable behaviour and know how to raise this. Each year the whole school recognises safer internet day whereby children are encouraged to think about the technology they are using at home and how to improve their safety whilst using this technology. The children enjoy making posters and presentations in order to share their top tips and to promote internet safety.
Within Russell we also recognise the importance of educating our parents around this issue and regularly hold E-Safety parent workshops led by Bedfordshire Police and have a section of the website dedicated to E-Safety.
We believe in the value of technology supporting learning across all areas of the curriculum and recognise the importance of our pupils experiencing a breadth of experiences in order to strengthen their individual understanding as well as becoming a responsible digital citizen.
During 2022/23 our computing curriculum was carefully redesigned focusing on curriculum sequencing to ensure progression from lesson to lesson and year to year with a focus on deepening and embedding key learning, knowledge and skills. Year group milestone documents were redesigned in order to support the above and assessment within the subject.
We use a range of resources to support our planning and teaching most of which are taken from the DfE approved Teach Computing site. The resources are 'built around an innovative progression framework where computing content has been organised into interconnected networks we call 'learning graphs'. They have been 'created by subject experts, using the latest pedagogical research and teacher feedback' which will ensure our pupils receive quality first teaching within all lessons.
The vast majority of units are taught discretely however staff make meaningful links across subjects where appropriate. For example, through the use of Information Technology units covering other subjects such as data handling and art and design.
Each half term pupils will cover a different unit with each lesson building upon the previous and each year progressing from the previous. All units are based on a spiral curriculum whereby 'each of the themes is revisited regularly (at least once in each year group), and pupils revisit each theme through a new unit that consolidates and builds on prior learning within that theme.' See our long term plan for more detail.
We will use the phrases 'Unplug, unpack and repack' to teach our lessons with new concepts being taught by 'unpacking complex terms and ideas, exploring these ideas in unplugged and familiar contexts, then repacking this new understanding into the original concept.'
Within all lessons we are working towards Rosenshine’s 17 Principles of Effective Instruction and use of the Great Teaching Toolkit. Short-term plans set out the learning objectives and success criteria for each lesson, identifying engaging activities and resources which will be used to achieve them.
Within the lessons prior learning from the unit and previous units is consolidated through re-cap and reinforcement to ensure children can make links between skills/knowledge and previously learnt skills/knowledge.
Questioning, modelling and feedback are used to support the teaching and learning process, ensure progression within every lesson and aid assessment.
Pupils receive a high quality, dedicated lesson every week but also have the opportunity to use laptops, Chromebooks and iPads weekly linked to other subjects areas such as Doodle Maths, Timetables Rockstars and Accelerated Reader.
In order to measure the impact of our computing curriculum we use a range of formative and summative assessment in all lessons such as:
- Questioning
- Pupil, parent, staff voice/questionnaires
- Observations/learning walks/drop ins
- Analysis of our assessment tool linked to milestone documents/National Curriculum for each year
Assessment information is collected frequently and analysed as part of our monitoring of teaching and learning cycle. This process provides an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the quality of education in computing as well as indicating areas for development.
Academic outcomes and impact:
For this year we are aware of the following outcomes for computing:
The ARE+ average is 92% which is 7% higher than 2021/22.
EYFS outcomes were 93.3% at the expected standard.
Other outcomes and impact:
Staff feedback has been positive regarding the new curriculum with staff already seeing an improvement in teaching and learning and outcomes. Staff have commented that they feel
‘the new scheme is much more relevant and current for the children especially the use of iPads and the children have enjoyed it. I have found it well planned and easy to follow!
The children have absolutely loved the Scratch and Beebot units of work and gained so much knowledge and understanding. The schemes are really easy to use - planning is excellent and the powerpoints are so clear/simple for the children to understand! Thank you for giving us a great curriculum that is so much better than the old one!
The detailed planning from National Centre for Computing Education is very good. The power points are of great use.
I really like how we can use the iPads in class to access. This means we never miss it The children have loved doing scratch'
A range of training has taken place this year to support the new curriculum and computing across the school and staff have again found this to be useful in developing their own confidence and supporting their teaching and learning.