Computing
Pope Paul Computing Curriculum
Intent
At Pope Paul school our Computing Curriculum is designed to prepare all pupils to be knowledgeable, creative and safe in our increasingly digital world. In our school we follow the Gospel values and we strive to respect and care for each other and our world. Our aim is for our pupils to be responsible, critical users of technology and to make positive contributions for our common home.
Computing is taught through developing subject knowledge and skills in the areas of Digital Literacy, Computer Science, Information Technology and Online Safety. Our scheme of work “Teach Computing”supports the teaching of computing knowledge and skills through sequenced learning units.
These sequenced learning units make explicit connections between the 4 areas of Computing, ensuring key concepts and skills become embedded. Computing has deep links with Mathematics and Science and Computing at Pope Paul school is linked to these and other curriculum areas. Computing lessons are designed to be relevant to our pupil’s lives and experiences and to enable them to use their computing knowledge and skills in realistic, challenging and creative ways. A clear progression of skills builds towards to specific end points in every year group. Computing knowledge and skills are taught through discrete computing sessions. Pupils gain repeated, practical experience through both plugged and unplugged sessions. Pupils have additional opportunities to embed what they have learnt in other curriculum contexts.
Our Computing Curriculum supports SEND through high quality teaching, differentiation and adult/ small group support. Objectives are structured to allow for wide differentiation from support to challenge. Use of open-ended activities enables pupils to explore and develop their thinking. Problem solving activities provide opportunities for pupils to practise skills such as prediction, sequencing, abstraction, decomposition and debugging.
The online world is developing and changing at great speed with new opportunities, challenges and risks appearing all the time. Safe, appropriate and responsible use of technology is embedded in each computing lesson. This ensures pupils learn about the underpinning knowledge and behaviours that can help them to navigate the online world safely and confidently regardless of the device, platform or app. Pupils create E-safety posters/contracts which are displayed in classrooms. At Pope Paul school we take part in the annual Safer Internet Day campaign and Childnet Film Competition. These events enable pupils to use their talents and skills to create high quality digital content and make a positive contribution to our world.
Implementation
Rich resources support the teaching of Computing at Pope Paul. Teachers utilise both plugged and unplugged resources to engage and inspire the pupils. Pupils use PCs and iPads as well as a range of other programmable devices which support the teaching of computing. All of our classrooms are fully equipped with Interactive Whiteboards, digital cameras and visualisers. Internet access is provided for the school via our school’s secure service provider.
Pupil review and reflection are central to learning in Computing. Pupils use computing journals to record and reflect on the outcomes of their work and to document the computational thinking processes they have used. Formative assessment is used throughout lessons. Teachers map pupil progress against objectives to support formative assessment. Work from independent tasks is used for summative assessment as well as providing the next steps. Assessment data is recorded in ARBOR each term. Pupil progress and attainment is also monitored through work scrutiny and pupil voice.
Teacher and support staff have received training from the Herts for Learning Computing advisor. Support is also provided by in-school expertise and the sharing of best practice. This training and support ensures that teachers have the confidence and subject knowledge enhancement to deliver inspiring computing lessons.
Impact
Pupils leave Pope Paul School with a strong foundation of computational thinking and understanding, equipping them for the next stages in their learning journey. The majority of pupils achieve Age Related Expectations in Computing and all pupils make expected progress. Our pupils are equipped with the digital skills needed to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world.
https://teachcomputing.org/curriculum/key-stage-1
https://teachcomputing.org/curriculum/key-stage-2
