Intent
Implementation
Click below for a more detailed breakdown of each unit.
In each year group a one-hour session of Computing will be taught weekly. The curriculum is split into half termly blocks of six learning objectives required to meet the standards for each year group. Elements of cross-curricular learning will be implemented where appropriate for the development of computer skills.
Lessons will have a strong emphasis on coding and the use of electronic control and algorithm design when using a computer. From Year 1 children will be taught the meaning of the word algorithm, how to debug their commands and how to reason logically. This knowledge will form the backbone of the coding taught throughout the school. The school will use Scratch as the coding language of choice for Computer Science which can be accessed from Year 1 using Scratch Junior on iPads, through to Year 6 – using the full Scratch package. It is anticipated that children will be ready to progress to the full Scratch package by Year 3.
Throughout their time at Shakespeare, children will learn to both create digital media and interact with a range of software packages. This will include use of the internet and online tools as well as sound, images and presentation packages. Certain skills (such as digital art, music technology and web design) will be developed as the children move up the school and covered more than once. Others will be stand-alone modules which will allow the children to adapt to a range of unfamiliar software and hardware and develop their overall IT literacy.
Digital Literacy is a recurring theme throughout the Computing curriculum. This learning will also include lessons about the mechanisms behind the internet and the web coding that underpins these systems. Children will also be taught about computer hardware and how to use technology correctly and safely.
We are aware of the dynamic nature of Online Safety throughout school life. Children’s knowledge of Online Safety will be regularly assessed using the Project Evolve online safety tool. This will allow us to respond pro-actively to children’s Online Safety knowledge gaps in each year and teach lessons designed to fill them. Online Safety forms an essential aspect, not just of Computing, but of life in general. Online Safety will be discussed in every lesson involving children’s use of the internet and Online Safety knowledge will be developed throughout the Computing and PSHE curriculum. Our PSHE curriculum (SCARF) contains many online safety lessons and an overview of the progression of Online Safety outcomes taught in these lessons throughout school can be accessed below.
Progress in Computing will be judged half termly through observation, summative tests and discussion with children. Teachers will record each half term how far each child has progressed through current year group expectations.
Impact
After the implementation of the Computing curriculum is it expected that children will be digitally literate and able to progress to further learning at secondary school. They will be equipped to make the right choices about the technology they use for their own benefit. They will understand the risks and challenges involved with the online world and social media. We consider safety to be our highest priority in the teaching of Computing and it is important to staff at Shakespeare that children understand the consequences of actions online. After the teaching of this curriculum children should be confident learning about and approaching new technology for it to be a benefit to them for the rest of their lives.
Our Work in Computing
Have a look below at all the Computing work we have been doing.