Intent
In our holy family, we all thrive socially, academically and spiritually to our fullest potential.
Competence in computing is increasingly needed in life, including careers. Being able to safely and efficiently use a wide range of computing skills will enable pupils to access a wide range of experiences as well as being able to support them in their learning in other areas of the curriculum Therefore, we intend to provide the highest quality computing education for all, creating confident, competent and safe users of technology so that they can thrive as they continue their development journey into successful adults.
Implementation
Pupils are introduced to a wide range of topics within the Teach Computing Scheme. Throughout the scheme, online safety is revisited in specific units and all units begin with reference to SMART and this appears on all knowledge organisers. This is in addition to support on online safety in Ten:Ten: Life to the Full and events such as Internet Safety Day. It is reinforced whenever it is appropriate.
Teachers have the flexibility to teach the units in a way that suits their timetable and the needs of the class, whether through individual lessons across a few weeks or blocked into longer sessions. Over the course of the year 2023 2024, staff evaluated the success of the program and the needs of the school in terms of programs. At the end of the year, the program was evaluated and adapted according to the needs of the pupils and the resources available.
Wherever possible, links will be made with other subjects to help make the use of computing purposeful and to help revisit knowledge to develop long term learning.
A set of teacher knowledge organisers have been developed. These outline what the children should already be able to do and what they should already know. This is linked to the other units in the curriculum.
A vocabulary sheet will be provided for all pupils. It will be revisited regularly and shared with parents at home, where appropriate.
At the start of each lesson, the vocabulary power point will be used to form a Memory Meeting, mirroring work in Maths and other subjects. This may revisit previous or current vocabulary. These include standardised definitions to maintain consistent meaning and support teacher knowledge. In addition, online safety will be revisited through the SMART acronym.
The colour code ROYGBIV is used to indicate where vocabulary has been previously introduced i.e. O – Orange are terms introduced in Year 1. This helps to raise expectations and support teacher knowledge about previous learning.
Assessment will be completed, primarily through teacher observation including observing work and discussing concepts with children. At times, teachers may assess children through the completion of a related task.
Teachers will summarise pupils’ attainment against the objectives that have been covered. This summative assessment will be entered onto the school assessment system, on a termly basis. The teacher knowledge organiser and the planning documents will support teachers with making accurate summative and formative assessments.
Teachers will identify gaps in learning and address these on an individual level, group level or class level where appropriate using a range of assessment for learning techniques.
In Computing, recording varies. At times, a ‘written’ outcome or task will be recorded or printed on paper and be added to the pupils’ folders. At other times, a photograph of an activity will be taken and added to a class book with annotation. The majority of assessment will be through observation and discussion.
