Computing

At Mount Street Primary, our aim is to ensure that all pupils leave their time with us, fully equipped to enter their technological futures as the rapid pace of technological change requires pupils to not only know how to do something today, but to be fluid in their thinking for tomorrow.   In order to ensure our pupils are provided with a balanced curriculum, the computing programme of study has been broken down into three aspects of computing at each key Stage.  This allows pupils to develop their “computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world” NC – Computing PoS. 

Intent | What and why do we teach what we teach?

At Mount Street we understand technology is everywhere and plays a pivotal part in students’ lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our pupils to be creators not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice with using technology. Through computing education, pupils can learn ‘powerful knowledge’, enabling them to become informed and active participants in our increasingly digital society. We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils. Our knowledge rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful computer scientists.

Implementation | How and when do we teach what we teach?

The computing curriculum at Mount Street is divided into three main content areas:

1- CS- Computer Science

2- IT- Information technology

3- DL- Digital Literacy.

However, these areas do not sit separately from each other. Knowledge from each area complements the others and some subject content only exists at the interplay between these 3 areas.

In Early Years, pupils will have an opportunity to the understand how to use the Internet safely as they explore the world around them, and that technology is present everyday as they learn and understand the world.

Our scheme of work for computing is influenced from the OFSTED research review and from the ‘Teach Computing’ curriculum. This scheme was chosen as it has been created by subject experts and is based on updated pedagogical research, they also provide regular CPD opportunities. It provides an innovative progression framework where declarative and procedural knowledge. Declarative knowledge can be described as ‘knowing that’. In contrast, procedural knowledge is knowledge of methods or processes that can be performed. It can be described as ‘knowing how’.

The curriculum aims to equip your people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future. The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science)

• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems (Computer science)

• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology)

• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy)

For our curriculum to provided effectively at Mount Street we ensure that all pupils are able to access the curriculum regardless of their needs. In computing lessons scaffolding is used to ensure all pupils are able to achieve the outcome. This is achieved by the use of dual coding for important vocabulary and ensuring learning is in achievable parts to mange cognitive load for all pupils. At Mount Street the teaching of vocabulary explicitly allows children to build a deeper understanding of the key words in each lesson allowing all pupils to engage effectively. During unplugged activities, these are adapted for children to ensure that they can complete it and achieve the intended learning outcomes. For example, by providing stem sentences, word banks or writing frames.

Online safety

A key part of implementing our computing curriculum was to ensure the safety of all pupils. We aim to give all children the necessary skills to keep themselves safe online.

Children have the right to enjoy childhood online, to access safe online spaces and to benefit from all opportunities that a connected world can bring them, appropriate to their age and stage. Children build online resilience through the use of the ‘UK council for internet safety’ Education for a Connected World- 2020 edition framework. The framework aims to support and broaden the provision of online safety education so that it is empowering, builds resilience and effects positive culture change. The objectives promote the development of safe and appropriate long-term behaviours, and support teachers in shaping the culture within their setting and beyond.

Impact | How do we assess the impact of what we teach via pupil outcomes?

The aim of Mount Street’s curriculum is to create children who are digitally literate and confident at using technology as part of everyday life and in preparation for future technology advances. All pupils will have the declarative and procedural knowledge and understanding to safely use technology effectively as part of all their work. The development of Computer Science skills will develop logical thinking and analysis, with Information Technology ensuring children can use different software effectively. Digital Literacy will underpin all this learning as it is vital children from the earliest opportunity understand the consequences of using the Internet and how to keep themselves safe online.

Pupil voice: Through discussion and feedback, children talk confidently about their computing learning and show a genuine curiosity and interest in the areas they have explored. Crucially, children feel equipped to share any concerns/ questions that they may have about their own technology use (e-safety, safeguarding).

Evidence of Knowledge: Children know how and why technology is used in the outside world. They know about different ways that technology can be used and can talk about ways to keep themselves and others safe online. Evidence of Skills: Children use new vocabulary that they have learnt in computing lessons. They have the skills to use a range of technology and computing software.

Breadth and Depth: Children will utilise and develop their computing skills across the curriculum. Opportunities to use computer technology outside of school will be provided in order to enhance their home learning.

We measure the impact of our computing curriculum through:

• Retrieval practice, feedback to pupils, teacher-pupil dialogue

• Monitoring of pupils’ responses in retrieval practice

• Student voice

At Mount Street Primary School, we then develop the children's conceptual knowledge and understanding through 'Big Ideas' which develop both in depth and knowledge as the children progress through the school.

E-safety 

Each academic year, all year groups focus on aspects of e-safety in the first term.  This is designed to ensure pupils feel confident when talking about any issues arising throughout the year with their peers and class teacher, as well as knowing early on what to do and who to talk to if they have concerns.  Throughout the Computing Curriculum, pupils are taught to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour and ways to report concerns about content and contact.