The aims of our Computing curriculum are to develop pupils who:

• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience in writing computer programs to solve such problems.
• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
• become digitally literate and active participants in a digital world, equipped with the capability to use technology throughout their lives.
• understand the importance of governance and legislation in determining how information is used, stored, created, retrieved, shared and manipulated.

Our Computing curriculum equally emphasises ‘e-Safety’ in line with the expectations of 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' 2020. We aim the develop pupils who:

• know how to keep themselves safe whilst using technology and on the internet
• can minimise risk to themselves and others by understanding the e-safety messages that can keep them safe online.
• know who to contact if they have concerns and which agencies those concerns can be reported to.
• apply their learning in a range of contexts, e.g. at school and at home

Click below to see the United Learning Computing and e-safety curriculum:

Implementation

Computing at Dukesgate Academy at key stage 1 and 2 is taught across six units in each year group with the intention that each unit is taught over a half term. In EYFS, it is taught through by using technology to solve problems and produce creative outcomes. We follow the Teach Computing scheme of work.

This was selected because long term plans detail the’ Powerful Knowledge’ that is taught and ensure that there is a clear progression in key skills, both across a year and from year to year. Each unit provides opportunities for developing computational thinking concepts by using approaches including tinkering. Learning sequences also provide opportunities to develop creativity and solving problems within a meaningful context for applying what is learnt. This scheme also provides opportunities to develop pupil’s conceptual understanding alongside opportunities for them to be creative and to apply taught skills, as they become digitally literate. Learning through experimentation, discussion and making are at the core of the scheme. This ‘hands on’, practical approach supports the development of long term memory and gives pupils with limited technical English a context in which to learn and use new vocabulary.

Children have access to other digital resources for Home Learning:

• Oxford Owl e-library
• SPAG.com
• Times Tables Rockstars

Impact

We want on our children to understand the consequences of using the internet and know how to keep themselves safe online. We intend our children to be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. Our Computing curriculum is high quality and it is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following:

• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes
• Pupil discussions about their learning (pupil voice)
• Children can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
• Children can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience in writing computer programs to solve such problems
• Children can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically, to solve problems
• Children can recognise potential dangers, be aware of the need to stay safe in the digital world, and explain ways to do so