A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.

Intent

At Springdale First School, we understand the immense value that technology plays not only in supporting the computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school. Our aims are to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Computing whilst also providing enhanced collaborative learning opportunities and engagement in rich content whilst supporting all pupil’s conceptual understanding of new ideas and promoting an understanding of digital well-being.

“A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world…core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.” National Curriculum

Our aim is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum whilst ensuring that pupils become digitally literate and digitally resilient. Technology is ever evolving, and we aim to develop pupils who can express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology at a suitable level for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Implementation

How do we deliver the computing curriculum? To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Our implementation of the computing curriculum is in line with 2014 Primary National Curriculum requirements for KS1 and KS2 and the Foundation Stage Curriculum in England. This provides a broad framework and outlines the knowledge and skills taught in each key stage. We use and follow the Purple Mash scheme of work from Year 1-4, ensuring consistency and progression throughout the school.

The Purple Mash scheme of work enables clear coverage of the computing curriculum whilst also providing support and CPD for less confident teachers to deliver lessons. The Purple Mash Lessons are broken down into weekly units, usually with two units taught per half term. Units are practical and engaging and allow computing lessons to be hands on. Units cover a broad range of computing components such as coding, spreadsheets, Internet and Email, databases, communication networks, touch typing, animation, digital media and online safety. When teaching computing teachers can follow the children’s interests to ensure their learning is engaging, broad and balanced. Teachers ensure that ICT and computing capability is also achieved through core and foundation subjects and where appropriate and necessary, ICT and computing should be incorporated into work for all subjects where possible.

 Through our Purple Mash subscription, our teachers can deliver thematic, cross-curricular lessons that also follow children’s interests and provide flexibility. Purple Mash has an online portal of age appropriate software, games and activities as well as topic materials and materials to support children’s learning in other subject areas for all key stages. Computing teaching is practical and engaging and a variety of teaching approaches and activities are provided based on teacher judgement and pupil ability. The teaching and learning of computing is further enhanced by the use of  devices such as BBC microbits and the loan of devices from the Teach Computing link with Exeter Maths School, such as Data Loggers. Teachers and pupils are aware of the importance of health and safety and pupils are always supervised when using technology and accessing the internet.

Our pupils are fully encouraged to engage with ICT and technology outside of school. Each teacher and pupil at Springdale School has their own unique Purple Mash login and password. Computing work can be stored and saved using pupil log in details and homework or ‘2do’s’ can also be set for pupils to access and complete tasks at home that link with their current class learning. Springdale also uses Tapestry for Reception and Year 1 pupils and TEAMS is used from Year 1 to Year 4 for homework.

We provide a variety of opportunities for computing learning inside and outside the classroom. Computing and safeguarding go hand in hand and we provide a huge focus on internet safety inside and outside of the classroom. In addition to all pupils studying an online safety unit through their computing lessons, every year we also take part in National Safer Internet Day in February. The Computing subject leader, alongside class teachers, will plan additional internet safety lessons and activities. We also have a Digital Leaders group that meet regularly with the school’s E-Safety Champion to help deliver the message of digital well-being to all members of Springdale school.