Computing
Our Computing Story
At Old Clee Academy, we aim to build happy, confident and resilient digital learners!
National Curriculum Intent
‘The national curriculum for computing intends 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
Our Intent
At Old Clee, we aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever changing digital world so that they become digitally literate. We understand that knowledge and understanding of ICT is of increasing importance for children’s future both at home and for employment. Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science and information technology to ensure that the children understand technology. Also at Old Clee we want to model and educate our learners on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. It is our intention that Computing supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school.
Our Implementation
In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the school ranging from EYFS to Year 6. At Old Clee our children study Computing weekly covering a broad and balanced computing curriculum through using Purple Mash.
Our children begin their journey with technology in Early Years, with access to iPads and BeeBots, teachers facilitate children’s curiosity with challenge and modelling how to use the equipment carefully and safely.
From Year One upwards, we use Purple Mash as a cohesive scheme of work addressing the statutory aspects of the National Curriculum. At Old Clee we believe in delivering fun and engaging lessons which help raise standards and allows children to reach their full potential. All computing lessons encompass the children acknowledging online safety rules which are adhered to across the school community.
An example of skill progression within our Computing curriculum:
Criteria for progression sits within the computing end points set out for each year group. These are the end points pupils should reach to show they are meeting the expectations of the curriculum. The route to achieving the goals includes creating a strong schema, based on rich knowledge, subject specific vocabulary and POP tasks (Proof of Progress).
Our Impact
If you were to walk into a computing lesson at Old Clee, you would see
- Opportunities for pupils to recap previous learning.
- Children talk enthusiastically about their computing lessons and speak about how they love learning about being a digital learner.
- A buzz of learning as children engage in activities
- Children who can work independently and collaboratively.
- Children who are becoming confident users of technology.
- Children show a high level of pride in the presentation and understanding of the work
Throughout each lesson assessment takes place and feedback is given to the children so they know if they have met the learning objective. All work done through Purple Mash is saved electronically in the children’s personal folders. Evidence folders are kept to provide hard-copy samples of any paper based work that the children have completed.
Pupil Voice:
Year 2 Pupil: ‘Computing is fun because I learn new things.’
Year 5 Pupil: ‘I enjoy computing because I can be creative by making games and creating art.’
Priorities for 2023-2025
- Continue to support staff with CPD moving forward - the aim is to upskill staff in areas of computing (such as coding) to increase their confidence when delivering the curriculum.
- Work towards teaching from a new curriculum - the aim is to work alongside a nation-wide IT company to upskill staff, provide CPD and potentially begin delivering a new curriculum to better prepare our children for the digital world.
- Ensure children begin making links from the digital world, to the real world - the aim is to ensure children can make links with work they do in their computing lessons to the real world. For example, how spreadsheets are used in the real world, and which professions use them.
- Use a 'Thinking Matters' approach to learning - as Old Clee is now a Thinking School, we will continue to cultivate metacognitive approaches in computing by helping our children to become 'meta' learners.