Intent

Our school's computing vision is to support all children in developing a healthy relationship with technology. We strive for everyone in our school community to be equipped with the digital literacy skills to meet technology with confidence, enthusiasm and prepare them for a future in an ever-changing world. We empower our children to be digital creators and innovators; utilising computational thinking, complex problem solving and collaboration, in order to excel.

Our computing curriculum is designed with logical sequenced units that provide opportunities for cross-curricular links (with design and technology, mathematics and science) and reflection and assessment points to showcase mastery. When planning, we ensure that children can build on their understanding, as each new concept is taught with opportunities for consolidation and reapplication of knowledge and skills throughout the year. There is a strong emphasis on improving computing/digital vocabulary, core fundamental digital skills and computational concepts, whilst providing challenge and variety to cultivate our children’s natural enthusiasm.

Here are Chorlton C of E, we believe safety is paramount. We promote and model a balanced digital life, recognising that amongst the many positives that technology has to offer, risks exist and children need to be taught to manage their digital lives properly. We strive to model and educate our children to use technology creatively, positively, responsibly and safely. Our curriculum supports the key aims of the government’s Internet Safety Strategy (Digital Literacy / UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) framework) of supporting children to stay safe and make a positive contribution online.

Implementation

At our school the requirements of the Computing Curriculum are taught through half-termly units. The curriculum is carefully mapped out to ensure that pupils acquire knowledge, vocabulary and skills in a progressive manner, with each teacher following the Knowsley Computing Scheme of Work and progression document for their year group. New learning is based upon what has been taught before and prepares children for what they will learn next.  Every unit has a clear end point and an end product which children work towards on their learning journey. The teaching style that we adopt is as active and practical as possible, although at times we do give children direct instruction on how to use hardware and software. We teach computing both discretely and cross curricular when clear links with other subjects are present.

Our Computing units and progression model is broken down into four strands that make up our computing curriculum. These are Essential Skills, Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy.

Essential Skills: ensure the children have the core basic skills to use multiple devices, this is designed to promote independence.

Computer Science: underlines the knowledge and skills relating to computational thinking, coding, algorithms and networks.

Information Technology: underlines the knowledge and skills relating to digital communication, creating multimedia content and data representation/handling.

Digital Literacy: underlines the knowledge and skills relating to online safety and technology in society.

Additionally, all year groups start each half term with an online lesson derived from the National Online Safety (NOS) platform. This allows us to keep online safety at the forefront of children’s learning when using technology across the curriculum. We have established a Digital Leaders team of KS2 children to develop specialists that can drive a child-led approach to computing and we participate in annual events such as safer Internet day and anti-bullying week.

Our curriculum is also drawn from:

• Knowsley SOW
• National Online Safety

Impact

Throughout their time here, our children revisit each objective several times, via different themes and platforms, helping to ensure knowledge is retained and to provide opportunities for digital skills to be applied.

Our school encourages discussions and direct feedback between staff and pupils to help the children best understand their progress and their next steps. Alongside staff led evidence recording, we also encourage pupils to document their own learning on our internal Seesaw platform. This empowers children to reflect on their learning journey and celebrate their computing successes.

We measure the impact of our computing curriculum through the following methods:

• Pupil self-reflection, discussions and interviews about their learning (pupil voice).
• Digital evidence of the pupils practical learning e.g. analysis of a video recording
• Point-in-time feedback on content creation.
• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes through formative and summative approaches
• Dedicated Computing leader time
• Reflective staff feedback (teacher voice).
• Staff CPD, through online platforms and face-to-face staff meetings with a focus on sharing best practice
• Governor monitoring with our subject computing link governor.

Our data shows that throughout the school, an average of 83% are meeting or exceeding in the national expectation in computing (based on data from 2019-20 year).