Curriculum Intent
Our Computing Intent
At Greasby Infant School, our computing curriculum aims to give our pupils the life skills that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a safe way in order to flourish in the 21st century.
As Computer Scientists, children gain key knowledge and skills in the three main area of the computing curriculum:
- Computer Science;
- Information Technology
- Digital Literacy.
We use technology to support learning across the whole curriculum and ensure it is accessible to all our pupils.
Intent
The development of Computing is changing rapidly in all aspects of our lives and it is important for us as educators to prepare our children for this as they move through our school and onwards. It is important that they are given a wide range of opportunities to develop and use computing skills so that they will become confident and competent users.
Under the EYFS revised curriculum, specific objectives for the teaching of computing are no longer found; however, there are clear areas where skills must be developed to allow the children to be able to access computing equipment throughout their time in education. Although the teaching of computing is no longer present within the EYFS curriculum, it is embedded across the teaching of all areas where possible.
Within the National Curriculum, objectives are clearly set out for Key Stage 1 and teachers use this to inform their planning and teaching of Computing. Our aim is to ensure that all pupils:
• Can understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science, including logic, algorithms, data representation, and communication.
• 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 digital devices and the Internet.
This year, the teachers at Greasby Infant School are using and adapting the Teach Computing scheme of work funded by the Department for Education. These lessons give the children the opportunities to explore equipment and show how to use them effectively, appropriately and safely as well as develop their skills in using specific software.
The lessons provided by Teach Computing provide opportunity for the children to work both independently and collaboratively. The children can use this time to further develop their understanding through learning from one another. Our teachers tailor the episodes of learning to suit the individual needs of the children, ensuring appropriate support and differentiation for all groups of pupils so that all children can access the curriculum.
Teachers ensure the topics provide opportunities to use both computers and iPad to ensure the children gain a wide range of skills and make links between the uses of both resources. During some topics, they may also use digital cameras and BeeBots. We use a wide range of software including Espresso, Microsoft Word and Colour Magic as well as the internet and other school apps including Nessy. The software we have in school is used across our curriculum to develop their skills in all subjects.
At the start of each year, children are taught about how to use our computers safely and to how to report something they do not like. The children understand who they should report this to and we discuss the importance of never sharing personal information.
Teachers will deliver a high-quality computing curriculum for pupils that is well planned and demonstrates a clear progression of knowledge, skills and understanding across the year groups.
At the end of each term, teachers will use a variety of assessment tools to ascertain progress including book scrutiny and pupil discussion about their learning.
The children at Greasby Infants enjoy their computing lessons as well as using computing resources across the curriculum and will appreciate the range of skills it will provide them with.
The children will have the confidence to use a range of software and the internet appropriately to enhance their learning. This will include staying safe online, knowing which information they should never share and reporting things they do not like to appropriate adults.