Computing

Computing

Intent:

At Folkestone Primary, the computing curriculum is designed to teach children the skills they need to become responsible digital citizens. By learning about technology and how to use it safely and responsibly, our pupils will be better prepared for the growing technological world around them. Our teaching will equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to help them stay safe online, understand the digital world and use technology to create and communicate. They will develop a deep understanding of how technology works and how it can be used to improve their lives and the world around them. Additionally, by exploring different digital tools and technologies from around the world, children will be able to develop a sense of how technology is used and how it is different in different places. This will help them to develop a sense of who they are in the digital world, and how they can use technology to make a positive impact on their community.

Implementation:

● Pupils receive high-quality computing lessons once a week, following the Kapow scheme of learning.

● Regular opportunities are provided for children to develop their ability to programme software, demonstrating their use of algorithms and how these can be debugged.

● Unplugged lessons are used to teach computational thinking and problem-solving skills without the use of technology.

● Online safety is taught on a termly basis to ensure children understand how to stay safe and responsible online.

● Children are exposed to physical computing hardware such as desktop computers, allowing them to learn how technology works and how to use it effectively.

● The curriculum is designed to progress children's knowledge and skills in computing, incorporating real-life examples and case studies to allow pupils to explore computing concepts in more depth.

● The curriculum focuses on teaching the computational thinking and digital literacy skills that are appropriate for the age group.

● Opportunities for children to create and communicate using technology are incorporated into the curriculum.

● Vocabulary related to computing is explicitly taught, and opportunities for children to use and understand higher-level technical terms are provided.

Impact:

 At the end of a unit of work, children are given the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding through creative coding projects, presentations, and written reflections. This assessment information is used to identify areas where pupils have a secure knowledge and where they need additional support. Teachers use this information to identify gaps in understanding and misconceptions, and address them through targeted instruction. Progress in computing is tracked and monitored to ensure that children are building a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. Children have become more digitally literate, and can explain how to be safe online. They are growing to be more confident in their ability to use programming to give a computer a set of instructions.