COMPUTING CURRICULUM

What is our vision for computing?

At WHPS, we provide a broad and balanced curriculum across all subjects, which develops the individual child according to their age and ability. We want all of our children to leave WHPS:

Fluent readers with a love of books and excellent comprehension.
Fluent mathematicians, with a confidence in problem-solving and reasoning.
Clear and engaging writers who can communicate their thoughts and feelings.
Happy, healthy, interested children with a range of experiences, memories and knowledge of a broad and deep-rooted curriculum.

The curriculum in computing supports this by equipping pupils with the skills and knowledge that they need to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with Mathematics, Science, and Design and Technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. We understand the immense value technology plays not only in supporting the computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school.

Intent

What are our aims in the teaching of computing?

We believe that children learn best through a curriculum that has rigour, challenge, depth and breadth, and which connects all areas of learning. At WHPS, we intend to:

provide an exciting, rich, relevant and challenging computing curriculum for all pupils.
enthuse and equip children with the capability to use technology throughout their lives.
give children access to a variety of high-quality hardware, software and unplugged resources.
instil critical thinking, reflective learning and a ‘can do’ attitude for all our pupils, particularly when engaging with technology and its associated resources.
teach pupils to become responsible, respectful and competent users of data, information and communication technology.
teach pupils to understand the importance of governance and legislation regarding how information is used, stored, created, retrieved, shared and manipulated.
equip pupils with skills, strategies and knowledge that will enable them to reap the benefits of the online world, whilst being able to minimise risk to themselves or others.
use technology imaginatively and creatively to inspire and engage all pupils, as well as using it to be more efficient in the tasks associated with running an effective school.
provide technology solutions for forging better home and school links.
utilise computational thinking beyond the Computing curriculum.

This links to the National Curriculum for computing, which aims to ensure that all pupils:

can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

How have you designed the curriculum for computing to ensure that it covers the National Curriculum?

The curriculum for computing has been carefully planned to ensure coverage of the National Curriculum aims and objectives. All year groups will study the three strands of Computing (Computer Science, Digital Literacy and Information Technology) across the academic year.

At West Hampstead Primary School, we use the learning platform, Purple Mash, for our computing learning. We use some of their scheme of work, which links with our own aims for the development of foundation subjects. Purple Mash is a comprehensive platform that not only allows us to develop children’s knowledge of computing, but can also be used to link computing to other subjects. Using one platform to inform all areas of computing allows children to build confidence and competence in their use of the technology for their learning as a whole.

We have carefully selected different units and lessons from the scheme of work to ensure that all three strands of the computing curriculum are accessed in every year group and build on children’s learning from previous years. We have selected units that serve our community in terms of what they need to know about the subject, how to stay safe and how computing can be used as a tool for other areas.

Implementation

What is the content of computing at WHPS?

Our curriculum is designed to:

Be clear about what knowledge children will learn, and in which order, throughout their time at our school.
Provide regular opportunities for children to review and apply prior learning to interrupt forgetting.
Provide enrichment opportunities that enhance and develop children’s learning.

The curriculum map provides further details on the objectives covered in Computing and the progression of knowledge and skills in each year group.

How is computing taught at WHPS?

Computing lessons are taught by class teachers, using planning developed alongside subject leads. Children take part in regular lessons throughout each term.

At WHPS, we believe that high-quality teaching and learning in computing includes:

Explicit teaching of computing skills and knowledge
Explicit teaching of appropriate digital citizenship to inform their safe use of technology
Encouraging children’s experimentation, collaboration and exploration
Teaching of technical vocabulary with clear child friendly definitions
Clear, structured instructions and small steps for children throughout each lesson

We also recognise that there are many elements of excellent practice that are consistent across all subjects, which are included in our WHPS Teaching Standards for teachers to refer to and implement.

We also have a computing focus during Safer Internet Day, where all year groups engage in discussions and activities about various topics that may affect them. We follow the annual theme that is chosen by the UK Safer Internet Centre.

How are planning and resources for Computing organised?

Every year group has a Year on a Page Overview, which provides an overview of units covered throughout the year, and a Foundation Subject Overview, which includes all of the objectives covered in each subject each term. Planning for all subjects is saved in the WHPS Curriculum folder for teachers to access.

We have several class sets of laptops available for year groups to use, along with other relevant resources to support the teaching of the curriculum.

How do we ensure that all children have access to the computing curriculum?

At WHPS, we aim to provide equal access to the curriculum for all children. We believe that all children can achieve and we value and promote each child’s achievements across every subject. We give our children every opportunity to achieve their best by taking account of our children’s range of life experiences when planning for their learning. We regularly review our curriculum and the resources we use to ensure that our teaching reflects equality and respects diversity. All teachers will adapt lessons and resources to provide support for individuals with SEND or other needs.

In computing this support may include:

The use of visuals such as Widgets, pictures and videos.
Breaking the learning down into small steps with visual instructions e.g. ‘my turn, your turn’.
Varied tasks and activities which are appropriately scaffolded.
Opportunities for group and paired work as well as individual tasks.
Videos instructions from Purple Mash units which children can watch to support their journey through the lesson at their own pace.

How do we assess learning in computing?

Assessment for learning is an important part of every lesson at WHPS in order to check children’s knowledge and understanding. Lessons are carefully planned to provide opportunities for teachers to assess children’s knowledge in a range of ways, which can then support them to adapt future lessons appropriately.

In computing, assessment opportunities include:

Opportunities for teacher to assess within every lesson
End of unit assessments within each Purple Mash unit, which ask children to apply their knowledge in a practical context.
Regular quizzing embedded into the Purple Mash platform to encourage recall of learning.

What opportunities are there for enrichment in Computing?

Our aim at West Hampstead Primary School is to ensure that every child is able to take part in a range of inspiring and exciting opportunities during their time at school. Enrichment opportunities are carefully planned as part of the curriculum in order to:

Bring children's learning to life in a new or different context
Cover or revisit key knowledge and skills from across the National Curriculum
Providing an inspiring or aspirational experience for children
Develop children's confidence and self-esteem in a new environment

Impact

How do we monitor the impact of our teaching in Computing?

Leaders regularly monitor teaching and learning across the subject throughout the year. Monitoring takes place through:

Planning scrutiny to ensure that planned lessons match the learning objectives and outcomes provided in unit plans
Pupil voice to understand children’s perspectives on their learning in the subject and explore whether they have remembered the knowledge identified in the curriculum maps
Learning walks to see teaching and learning in action across the school and ensure high quality teaching is taking place
Teacher surveys or informal conversations to ensure that teachers are confident in their subject knowledge and identify any support needed

Strengths and next steps identified during monitoring are recorded on our monitoring overview document and discussed with SLT.