Computing curriculum

Our Curriculum Drivers are to promote resilience, develop communication and ensure all pupils have access to all learning possibilities both in and out of the classroom.

‘Computing is not about computers any more. It is about living.’ Nichiolas Negroponte

Intent

Our Curriculum Intent is for pupils to know more, do more and learn more.

At Eaton Primary School, we intend that children should master Computing to such an extent that they can go on to have careers within Computing and make use of Computing effectively in their everyday lives, without being completely reliant on technology.  We follow the Teach Computing Curriculum which uses the National Centre for Computing Education’s computing taxonomy to ensure comprehensive coverage of the subject.

Our children will be taught to use technology responsibly and carefully, being mindful of how their behaviour, words and actions can affect others.

Our children will be taught Computing in a way that ensures progression of skills, and follows a sequence to build on previous learning.  This is a spiral curriculum chich means that 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.  This style reduces the amount of knowledge lost through forgetting, as topics are revisited yearly.  It also ensures that connections are made.

Our children will gain experience and skills of a wide range of technology in a way that will enhance their learning opportunities, enabling them to use technology across a range of subjects to be creative and solve problems, ensuring they make progress.

Reception

We provide a range of opportunities in provision for children to access technology such as on interactive whiteboards, iPads and Beebots. Children are taught to complete age-appropriate educational games as well as taking photographs of their work that they complete in the classroom. We also learn about how to keep safe online

Year 1

• Technology around us
• Digital painting
• Moving a robot
• Grouping data
• Digital writing
• Programming animations

Year 2  

• Computing systems and networks - Information Technology around us  
• Digital photography 
• Making music  
• Pictograms  
• Programming quizzes 
• Robot algorithms 

Year 3  

• Sequencing sounds 
• Branching databases 
• Desktop publishing 
• Writing algorithms 

Year 4  

• Using a text-based programming language to explore count-controlled loops when drawing shapes. 
• Data logging 
• Manipulating digital images, and reflecting on the impact of changes and whether the required purpose is fulfilled 
• Exploring selection in programming to design and code an interactive quiz. 

Year 5  

• Exploring conditions and selection using a programmable microcontroller 
• Flat-file databases 
• Introduction to vector graphics 
• Exploring selection in programming to design and code an interactive quiz. 

Year 6  

• Variables in games Exploring variables when designing and coding a game. 
• Introduction to spreadsheets 
• 3D modelling Planning, developing, and evaluating 3D computer models of physical objects. 
• Sensing movement Designing and coding a project that captures inputs from a physical device. 

How do we teach e-safety?

Using technology safely and respectfully, including keeping personal information private, identifying where to go for help and support if pupils have concerns is taught throughout the spiral curriculum.

How do pupils learn?

We follow a broad and balanced Computing curriculum that builds on previous learning and provides both support and challenge for learners. We follow a Computing scheme that ensures and progression of skills and covers all aspects of the Computing curriculum.

All classes will have a scheduled Computing lesson each week or block their learning (teach over a specific week(s). Children’s work is stored on a variety of platforms/apps including Seesaw & Google Docs  (if appropriate) for reference. We also record learning in a ‘Digital Diary’ that is updated with examples and comments related to the work in each lesson.

We want to ensure that Computing is embedded in our whole school curriculum and that opportunities for enhancing learning by using technology, plugged and unplugged, are always taken. Children have access to their own Chromebook in KS2 (and shared i-pads in KS1) and these are used across the curriculum at planned, purposeful times.  Pupils are always encouraged to engage with online learning platforms at home.

How do we know what pupils have learned (impact)?

• Questioning
• Digital diaries
• Talking to teachers
• Low stakes ‘Drop-in’ observations
• Quizzing and retrieval practise
• Feedback and marking
• Progress in Digital Diaries matches the curriculum intent.