Subjects
Computing
Our Intent
At Wickersley Partnership Trust (primary) we aim to ensure our Computing curriculum is designed to sequence learning and embed the key skills that are required to develop curious students into competent learners.
We believe that computing is an essential part of the curriculum and should be an integral part of all learning. Computing within schools can provide a wealth of rich learning opportunities and transferrable skills explicitly within the computing lesson and across other curriculum subjects.
Through the Primary Key Stages, learners will be introduced to concepts such as Programming, Computational Thinking and Digital Literacy. Through the Computational Thinking skill set, learners will learn how to plan Algorithms by breaking down tasks into smaller achievable goals through the use of Decomposition. Through these skills and techniques learners will be able to write and debug programming tasks confidently. At the end of the Primary Key Stages all learners will have learnt to program and debug programs using Block based programming languages.
Digital Literacy and ICT skills still have a role within the Computing curriculum. During the Primary key stages learners will develop skill sets that will allow them to use a wide range of IT equipment and software confidently and safely. They will be able to carry out effective research using the Internet and be able to present their findings in a number of creative ways by creating digital content. At all stages of the Primary Curriculum E-Safety is of equal importance, learners are taught how to use the Internet and IT technology safely and respectfully.
When progressing to Secondary level learners will be given the opportunity to develop the computing key skills introduced to them at Primary level. Learners will further develop their Computational Thinking skills to allow them to write and plan sorting and searching algorithms. Learners will also be taught how to program and debug programs written in Text based programming languages. Learners will further develop their skills in order to undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications and software packages. Digital Literacy and E-Safety skills will also be built upon ensuring that learners become confident 21st Century Digital Citizens able to use a range of IT Technologies and software safely and in other curriculum areas. The computing curriculum has clear subject links to other subject areas such as Maths, Science, Engineering and Technology.
At Wickersley Partnership Trust, the core of computing is Computer Science in which pupils are introduced to a wide range of technology, including chrome books, laptops, iPads and interactive whiteboards, allowing them to continually practise and improve the fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding they learn. This ensures they become digitally literate and resilient so that they are able to express themselves and develop their ideas through information and computer technology and have the essential skills and knowledge required to become active participants in an ever-advancing digital world.
It is vital that curriculum knowledge and skills are not learnt in isolation. We teach Computing through the progression of skills and knowledge, both of which are planned in a sequential document and include in this, key lines of inquiry to develop links across the curriculum as well as to the bigger concepts that drive our curriculum intent, such as democracy and equality.
How we intend to remove barriers
To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Pupils will be able to use ICT Technologies safely and responsibly through accessing the computing curriculum.
The current computing curriculum offers opportunities for Numeracy skills to be developed and oracy skills will be developed through answering questions and engaging in class discussions. Pupils will enhance their literacy skills through the use of technology and develop their confidence in the presentation and development of their learning.
Misconceptions do not go unchallenged and the supportive environment within each and every lesson ensures that each student develops and learns at a pace and a level that is appropriate for them.
Literacy
Students are given many opportunities to read widely and often with students directed to technological studies as well as researching independently. Pupils take part in learning opportunities with a range of contexts for reading and writing. These will develop from being supported to independent.
Numeracy
Numeracy is often found at the heart of the computing curriculum. From developing data handling skills to the creation of complex code and programs. The teaching of these skills will allow for progression and development at the appropriate level for the learner. The computing curriculum will also provide opportunity for pupils to apply prior Numeracy skills to their work and improve and develop these skills in a practical and engaging way.
Oracy
In order to develop their oracy within a subject specific context pupils are given opportunities to talk about their learning. Staff will challenge use of key technological and computing language and will direct pupils towards the correct terminology when appropriate ensuing that this vocabulary is used within lessons.
Vocabulary
Students are introduced to key subject specific vocabulary and have regular opportunities to reinforce their understanding. Key technological vocabulary is highlighted to the pupils and pupils are guided to use this in their work.
How we develop skills for learning
Pupils are given opportunities to develop their skills for learning in each and every lesson. Engaging starter activities help students to recall the key concepts of prior learning. Our pupils are presented with a variety of experiences and learning opportunities.
The computing curriculum provides opportunities for children to develop a range of skills that can be applied across the curriculum. Pupils will develop and improve creative and critical thinking skills when designing and creating digital media products (posters, interactive slideshows, videos, photography etc.). Throughout the teaching of coding, children will be encouraged to think analytically when debugging algorithms and identifying errors. Through the writing of programming code, pupils will develop logical and computation thinking skills.
Schools will use a range of different resources and software to develop these skills and knowledge, including a range of whole-class, small group and independent sessions where children can learn and apply these skills. Examples of these resources include Laptops, Chromebooks, iPads and Scratch programming software.
Teacher assessment informs planning and progression within the curriculum.
How we foster personal attributes
In Computing, our curriculum intent embodies that of the school. We are committed to ensuring students are exposed to the wider world context in order to develop them as well rounded individuals. Our curriculum demands independence, resilience and responsibility in line with the WPT ‘School Ways’.
Pupils are taught to use ICT equipment safely and responsibly, and the impact of the choices that they make when using technology can have on the wider world. We aspire for all our students to use Computing in a positive and confident way; to demonstrate empathy, tolerance, understanding, aspiration and respect so they are prepared to be active citizens in the local community and beyond. Pupils will develop independence skills by undertaking and completing Digital Media projects. Independence and Resilience skills will also be developed by students learning how to program code. Overall, students will be able to develop fundamental ICT skills which will allow them to become active participants in the current digital world and provide the essential skills required to continue the development of these skills at KS3.
How we intend to enrich student experiences and broaden the horizons of students
Computing is a curriculum that must go beyond the classroom. To this end, we broaden the horizons of all our students and enrich their learning through a range of first-hand experiences. All our students have exposure to learning beyond the traditional mainstream lesson and have opportunities to enrich their experiences. Computing is planned as part of cross-curricular topics to support links in learning.