INTENT

At Everton Primary School, we believe Computing is an essential part of our curriculum; we don’t believe this is a stand-alone subject and as such should not only be taught as a stand-alone subject but skills developed should be used through a range of curriculum areas. Our intent is for our teachers to deliver the National Curriculum, promoting enthusiasm and curiosity so children have a real thirst for understanding of technology and how it can enhance our daily lives and careers in the future. Our belief is that children should understand but also respect, the use of technology, ensuring it is used responsibly and in a positive manner. Our curriculum intends to make children aware and understand how to think computationally and creatively and to understand our ever-changing world. At Everton Primary School, our aim is to deliver a Computing curriculum which gives children the confidence to know how digital systems work and how to use this knowledge with resilience through programming. We intend to create digitally literate children, who are able to express themselves through information and communication technology. Teamwork is critical to our computing lessons, where children work together but also develop the skills to work independently on the Computing National Curriculum.

IMPLEMENTATION

As we have 4 mixed classes at Everton, our Computing Curriculum has been designed on a 2-year rolling programme. This is to ensure the National Curriculum is taught to all our pupils before they leave our school. We understand the importance of teaching the Computing curriculum in a progressive sequence so skills are built on year on year.

Computing is an essential part of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage as it is entwined into everyday learning.

In Key Stage 1, the children will learn how to use technology responsibly and respectfully and know where to go for help and support. They will learn what algorithms are and how they are implemented as programs on digital devices. Our children will learn how to create and debug simple programs and will show resilience when doing this. Our children will be taught to use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.

In Key Stage 2, children will learn how to design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals. They will  learn sequencing, selection and repetition in programs and will use logical reasoning and resilience to explain how some simple algorithms work. Children will learn the importance of computer networks, including the internet, and the opportunities they can offer for communication and collaboration. Pupils will be taught how to safely communicate online, remembering to do this respectfully and with kindness, knowing the behaviours which are acceptable and unacceptable. How to use search technologies effectively will be taught, along with developing an understanding that results can be ranked. Throughout the curriculum, children will select and use a variety of software, showing curiosity, enthusiasm and ambition to collect, analyse, evaluate and present data and information.

The way in which we implement our curriculum:

• The standards for Computing have been mapped out on our progression document, ensuring children year on year develop their Computing skills.
• Computing is taught every week of each term (see progression maps and long term plans).
• Teachers use standards and break these down into smaller learning objectives; these are mapped out on Medium Term Plans, which develops sequential and cumulative learning and progression.
• In a computing lesson, there will be: 1. Revisit and review, 2. Vocabulary development, 3. Teacher input (modelling), 4. Learning task and 5. Assessment of learning and review of the lesson.
• Within our lessons, a key component is to review previous learning, allowing children to understand their learning journey and giving them the confidence to be able to articulate their understanding and link learning together. Learning is reviewed in a range of ways: quizzes, games and mini assessments. Teachers also review through morning starter activities. This keeps learning refreshed and supports their long-term retention.
• Vocabulary is an integral part of our Computing curriculum; we believe it is crucial we give our children the language to talk like Computing experts, developing ambition to one day become an adult who works in this field. All children are given vocabulary mats at the beginning of each new unit; this vocabulary is then driven throughout the unit, ensuring children have a clear understanding of it and are equipped to use it.
• When a Computing unit is studied, throughout all classrooms, a learning journey is built in Computing books, displaying a build up of knowledge and skills and allowing the children a key point of reference to review their learning.

IMPACT

The Computing experts of Everton Primary School will (by the end of Year 6):

• Know a program can be created that uses multiple functions.
• Know websites can be created.
• Know photos/screenshots can be edited and how to be respectful when doing this.
• Know digital spreadsheets can be used to problem solve in the ‘real world’ and showing curiosity when working with these.
• Know what they share impacts upon themselves and upon others in the long-term so to always be responsible and kind.
• Know about the consequences of promoting inappropriate content online.
• Know the positive and negative aspects of technology and balance these opposing views.
• Know the difference between the World Wide Web and the internet.

Our Progression Document, Long Term and Medium Term plans display the learning for each point throughout our Computing Curriculum.