Computing

Intent

"To inspire children through the use of technology and develop
the skills required for their future communities to thrive and prosper."

Computing at Glade is not just about learning how to use technology; it is about preparing the young people of today for the world of tomorrow.

Through innovation, technology available today is changing at an ever-increasing speed. Technology is increasingly becoming more integral to the way that we communicate, and complete everyday tasks. We aspire to give our children the knowledge required to be able to understand key concepts and to be able to think logically to solve problems, known as computational thinking, so that they are able to apply this when they are older with technology we haven’t invented yet.

We want our children to know how computer networks work; how to create various media; how to handle data and how to programme. We do this through half-term units. We also want our children to stay safe online and to know how to manage the risks that computers and the internet can pose, including knowledge about how they can use software and their understanding to keep safe from these risks.

Implementation

At Glade Academy, we teach computing lessons on a weekly basis to help children to develop the knowledge and the skills they will need for their adult life. We have based this on the Keychain Computing schemes of work to ensure clear progression. These are organised into six units and these units build upon the work covered in previous year groups.

We know that as part of any unit when implementing computing there will be parts of the scheme of work which focus on the development of computational thinking and therefore will not require the use of technological devices.

We also know that the role of computing is also to increase the digital literacy of children and part of this is how to maintain a safe online presence. As a result, interspersed throughout the units, we also deliver e-safety objectives which are supported by the UK council for Internet Safety Framework Education for a Connected World (publishing.service.gov.uk). There 8 key areas:

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

Most of this is implemented through one area being addressed per half-term. Some units such as self-image and identity; online bullying and health; wellbeing and lifestyle will be addressed through PSHE, anti-bullying week and assemblies throughout the year in addition to some e-safety lessons.

An example of our coding

Impact

In lessons:

Pupils may be assessed by the class teacher through:

discussion during plenaries
Responses in games and activities
Responses to their written or practical work

After lessons:

The subject leader monitors the effective delivery of the computing curriculum by:

Conducting class book looks
Looking at planning for medium and short term
Observing children in lessons
Completing pupil perception interviews in a range of computing areas
Completing and analysing termly whole-school pupil perception surveys
Analysing class teachers' computing half-termly assessments.