Chandlers Road, St Albans, Herts, AL4 9RS
Computing
Intent
Through our broad and inspiring Computing programme of study, we aim to provide our children with the valuable life-skills that will prepare them for their future in an ever-changing world. To plan the learning and skills progression for the children, we use the Teach Computing scheme of work, created on behalf of the National Centre for Computing Education. This splits Computing into four main areas of learning in each year group: Computing Systems and Networks, Creating Media, Data and Information, and Programming. As the online world continues to develop and change at great speed, we encourage children to make informed choices about when and where to use technology to the best effect. At Skyswood, we teach all pupils to utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way in order to flourish in the modern digital age. Through our strong parent partnerships, we encourage parents and carers to regularly discuss online safety rules with their children. It is our expectation that when pupils leave Skyswood, they will be well equipped in computational thinking and be able to apply this knowledge in their everyday lives and in their future workplace.
Jacob and I loved the challenge of making a presentational video for the children’s AET conference
(Pippa - Skyswood pupil)
Implementation
Our scheme of work from the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) supports the teaching of computing knowledge and skills through carefully sequenced learning units in a spiral curriculum. This style of curriculum design ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year. Pupils revisit each theme through a new unit that consolidates and builds on prior learning within that theme. Through the use of a wide variety of resources, we ensure that children experience a range of technologies including the use of laptops, desktops, iPads, Chromebooks, Interactive Whiteboards and visualisers. The learning demonstrated through independent tasks is used for summative assessment, as well as providing the next steps for pupils.
I was proud of designing my own App to support our history unit on the Ancient Egyptians
(Arth - Skyswood pupil)
Impact
As a result of our Computing curriculum, we want children to be confident and enthusiastic in their use of technology, with pupils equipped for the next stage in their learning journey. By the end of Key Stage Two, children will have developed a strong foundation of computational thinking and understanding. They will have a deeper awareness of how to use their knowledge and skills on a daily basis, both inside and outside of the school environment. When children leave Skyswood, our aim is for pupils to be equipped with the digital skills needed to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world. Computing enhances and enriches all areas of the curriculum and should not be considered as a subject in isolation.
Computing lessons are so much fun, I learn something new every lesson!
(Joshua - Skyswood pupil)
Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs
In Computing, we strive to offer all children a broad, balanced and creative curriculum that best supports their needs and allows all children to make progress. Technology can play a central role in allowing pupils to reach their full potential and it can be motivational when used in other curriculum areas. As an inclusive school, we endeavour to provide quality first teaching in the first instance and we adapt learning to support all pupils. Children who have special educational needs will be encouraged to join in with class learning and to follow the same curriculum, at broadly the same pace. Where specific support and guidance is needed, this will be taken from the child’s EHCP.
