Computing
Intent
At Rushton CE First School our aim is to provide rich, deep learning experiences that balance all the aspects of computing. With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we believe ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill children must be taught if they are to participate effectively and safely in a digital world. Computing has deep links with other subjects and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. At Rushton CE Primary School, the core of computing is Computer Science in which pupils are introduced to a wide range of technology, including laptops, iPads and touch screens, allowing them to continually practice and improve the skills they learn. This ensures they become digitally literate so they can express themselves and develop their ideas through information and computer technology– at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
Implementation
We teach a curriculum that enables children to become effective users of technology who can understand and apply the essential principles and concepts of Computer Science, including logic, algorithms and data representation.
Our children begin their journey with technology in Early Years, for example with access to iPads, touch screens and BeeBots. Teachers facilitate children’s curiosity with challenge and modelling how to use the equipment carefully and safely.
In Key Stage 1, children continue their journey with the BeeBots, using them more precisely. They learn how to programme a BeeBot to reach a destination and begin to be able to debug when something doesn’t work out the way they imagined.
As children progress through lower KS2, the skills taught in coding are more complex and children are taught to create programs using sprites. Our Computing curriculum is planned to demonstrate progression.
Our online safety policy provides guidance for teachers, parents and pupils about how to use the internet safely. Pupils participate in lessons focussing on online safety and children understand how to stay safe when using technology.
Impact
Our approach to the curriculum results in a fun, engaging, and high-quality computing education. The quality of children’s learning is evident on Seesaw, a digital platform where pupils can share and evaluate their own work, as well as that of their peers. Evidence such as this is used to feed into teachers’ future planning, and as a topic-based approach continues to be developed, teachers can revisit misconceptions and knowledge gaps in computing when teaching other curriculum areas. This supports varied paces of learning and ensures all pupils make good progress. Much of the subject-specific knowledge developed in our computing lessons equip pupils with experiences which will benefit them at middle school, secondary and future workplaces.