Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At St Mary’s, we provide an exciting, rich, relevant, progressive and challenging Computing curriculum for all pupils. Our intention is to enthuse and equip our pupils with the capability to use technology effectively throughout their lives.
It is important to us that the children understand how to use ever-changing technology to express themselves, as tools for learning and as a means to drive their generation forward into the future.
Whilst ensuring they understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with online experiences, we want children to develop as respectful, responsible and confident users of technology, aware of measures that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe online.
Our aim is to provide a Computing curriculum that is designed to balance the acquisition of a broad and deep knowledge (substantive knowledge) alongside opportunities to apply skills (disciplinary skills) in various digital contexts. Beyond teaching computing discreetly, we will give pupils the opportunity to apply and develop what they have learnt across wider learning in the curriculum.
Implementation
Computing contributes to teaching and learning in all curriculum areas and is used throughout the curriculum as well as in discrete planned units of work.
At St Mary’s, pupils have weekly access to a suite of computers and software to develop knowledge and skills of digital systems and their applications. We use a clear and effective scheme of work developed by Kapow to plan and teach Computing.
The National curriculum purpose of study states:
‘The 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. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world’.
Therefore, the Kapow Primary scheme of work is designed with three strands which run throughout:
Computer science
Information technology
Digital literacy
The Kapow Primary scheme is organised into five key areas, creating a cyclical route through which pupils can develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning:
Computer systems and networks
Programming
Creating media
Data handling
Online safety
Our teachers are provided with a yearly overview, detailed planning for each unit and additional resources to deliver the Kapow scheme successfully all of which is monitored and reviewed by the subject leader. Teachers are expected to collect evidence of pupils' work.
Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work as well as unplugged and digital activities. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles.
Differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning are available when required. Knowledge organisers for each unit support pupils in building a foundation of factual knowledge by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary.
Strong subject knowledge is vital for staff to be able to deliver a highly effective and robust computing curriculum. Each of the Kapow units of lessons include teacher videos to develop subject knowledge and support ongoing CPD. Further CPD opportunities can also be found via Kapow’s webinars with their Computing subject specialists.
Impact
The impact of Kapow Primary’s scheme can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives and each unit has a unit quiz and knowledge catcher which can be used at the start and/ or end of the unit.
After the implementation of Kapow Primary Computing, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in the ever-increasing digital world.
The expected impact of following the Kapow Primary Computing scheme of work is that children will:
Be critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future.
Understand the importance that computing will have going forward in both their educational and working life and in their social and personal futures.
Understand how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner.
Understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity. They will know that different types of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims.
Show a clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National curriculum - computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
Be able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team.
Be aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible and appropriate manner.
Have an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another.
Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Computing.