Intent

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At Orchard, our primary intent is to have an engaging and inspiring curriculum with high academic ambition for all pupils.  We recognise the significance of computers in the modern world and seek to equip our pupils with the skills and knowledge to flourish in all areas by utilising technology safely and effectively in their lives.  In computing at Orchard, we encourage children to be original, imaginative, creative and innovative in their understanding and application of skills in computing.

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The 2014 National Curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all children:

• 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.

 

At Orchard, our computing curriculum is based on the National Curriculum  and the Rising Stars Switched on Computing scheme of work. and we use the sequence of learning for online safety developed by the PSHE Association Programme of Study for PSHE education within our PSHE teaching.  We work through the age appropriate objectives and then thread through safety issues when they occur. Project EVOLVE is also used as an additional tool where the teachers can generate a personalised approach if specific issues arise within their classes or support their PSHE lessons.

Through focused staff meetings and discussions with staff,  we ensure our curriculum is taught in a logical progression, systematically and explicitly, building on previous learning and skills for future learning.

 

Our programming scheme of work is bespoke to our school and developed and planned along side an LA advisor.  Due to programming not being planned effectively before, we now have a 3 year rolling program to ensure the children, as they move through the school, gain the knowledge and skill to progress and improve their programming skills using SCRATCH investigations.

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In our computing teaching, we aim to equip our pupils with the necessary skills and knowledge to flourish in an increasingly technology-based world. These skills include learning the fundamentals of programming and coding, understanding computational thinking by studying algorithms, and developing an awareness of computer networks and the internet and using them safely and effectively. We do this through retrieval practice and overcoming misconceptions (daily reviews), Minimising cognitive load, Careful sequencing (small steps), repetition (Rosenshine) and clear understanding of knowledge being taught.

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As children study computing, they are encouraged to be curious and creative. They are taught to create and refine their own original content, such as photographs, using digital tools as well as collecting, analysing and presenting data in imaginative and innovative ways. Our computing curriculum teaches pupils to use technology, make the most of computers and the internet for communicating with one or many, and working together on projects.

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As children study computing, they develop an appreciation of how it can be utilised to benefit our day to day lives as well as learning the science behind how computers work.

 

 

Implementation

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At Orchard, we incorporate computing into all aspects of the curriculum by using them to research, create and present learning in all subjects.   Teachers create a positive attitude to computing learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards.

Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of computing involves the following;

• Computing at Orchard is taught from a bespoke scheme designed for us by an experienced Computing lead and the LA advisor.  Teachers will create teaching resources in blocks and, where possible, link this learning to that term’s topic.  It develops both knowledge and computing skills.  Through our units, we ensure our curriculum is taught in a logical progression, systematically and explicitly, building on previous learning and skills for future learning.

• Through our planning, children are given a range of knowledge and skills based activities.  Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, involving a range of high-quality resources.  Teachers use precise questioning in class to test knowledge and skills and cover misconceptions.

• Teachers use a range of formative assessment tools to check pupils’ understanding and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children keep up.

 

 

Impact

 

As children progress through Orchard, they cover the full computing curriculum, developing a deep knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the ways in which we use computers and technology.  They learn to be computer literate through a wide variety of topic-based learning which includes sending emails, creating online books with Green screen, manipulating images, coding their own text-based games and using sound apps to develop multimedia sound clips.

Children deepen their understanding of computing through exciting and stimulating topics, where they can become fully immersed in their learning.  Their learning is linked with all areas of the curriculum as they create formulas and graphs for Maths and research and present information for other subjects.

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