At St John's CE (VC) Primary School we want every child to be happy and enthusiastic learners of Computing, and to be eager to achieve their very best in order to fulfil their God-given talents. We firmly believe that the recipe for success in Computing is high-quality teaching and up-to-date resources, which is central to the life of our happy, caring school.

Intent- What are we trying to achieve?

• Our principal aim is that children leave St. John's CE (VC) Primary School with a wide range of happy and rich memories in Computing formed through interesting and exciting experiences driven through the curriculum that enhance a child’s awareness of their own abilities and strengths as a learner.
• Children will meet the National Curriculum expectations in Computing, which will be taught by highly-enthusiastic qualified staff who will support children to develop mastery of concepts and inspire enthusiasm and interest in the subject.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study
• Children will develop a deep understanding of the subjects they are studying. They will increasingly use their prior knowledge to solve problems and develop the sophistication of Computing.
• In Computing, children will develop the skills to appropriately and safely use computational thinking and creativity to understand the changing world. They will develop deep links with mathematics, science, and design technology in natural and artificial systems.
• Information technology will be used to create programs, systems and a range of content at a level suitable for the future workplace as active participants in a digital world.
 

Scheme of Learning

The scheme follows the National Curriculum.  It allows for appropriate sequencing and aims to secure long-term memory as well as enjoyment of learning computing.  The link is:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study

The Scheme of Learning

Children will follow the scheme laid out by Purple Mash (see below), which allows children and teachers to work in tandem using the same software. This ensures that the school has minimal interference with outside hardware, which also allows children to save their work in one easy and accessible place. Children will follow different stages of the curriculum laid out by Purple Mash, allowing time for teachers to explore further and create a broad and balanced Computing curriculum.

Implementation – How do we translate our vision into practice?

• The curriculum hours in Computing are non-negotiable and will be followed by all staff in the school. Fixed timetables will be set before the academic year and monitored by the Senior Leadership Team of the school.
• The Subject Leader for Computing will meet the Senior Leadership Team on a regular basis to evaluate provision in order to ensure that teaching and learning is excellent.

Where necessary, staff will receive coaching and training in Computing.
• Carefully designed schemes of learning in Computing ensure consistency and progress of all learners.
• The three strands of computing – computing, Information Technology and Digital Literacy will be embedded into the schemes of learning.
• Learning Criteria in Computing lessons are set in order to guide children to achieve their potential. This ensures work is demanding and matches the aims of the curriculum.
• High-quality teaching responds to the needs of children. Spiral learning is a key focus of all formative and summative assessments with teachers actively marking work in lessons in order to identify misconceptions early and the children will develop skills that will be built on each year.

Assessment

Each lesson will include live feedback (as per the Marking and Feedback Policy).   Homework is not formally set in computing but children will experience computing skills via other subjects. High-quality teaching responds to the needs of children. Spaced learning is a key focus of all formative and summative assessments with teachers actively feeding back in lessons in order to identify misconceptions early.  

Cross-curricular opportunities

Computing is also taught through other subjects.  This results in excellent cross-curricular opportunities for example online safety encompasses elements of PSHE.  It also allows for the British Values of tolerance and respect to be highlighted, understood and practiced by children.

Impact – What is the impact of our curriculum on the students?

• Children are happy learners within Computing. They experience a wide-ranging number of learning challenges.
• Through Computing, children deepen their appreciation of their faith and fulfil their God-given talents.
• Visits within Computing have enriched the lives of the children and they are able to discuss how the experience affected their knowledge and understanding.
• Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in Computing, reflected in outstanding progress that reveals a clear learning journey. Children talk enthusiastically about their learning in Computing and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education.  
• Clear outcomes focus and guide all Computing development plans and drive improvement.
• Children are confident, resilient and actively engaged in the wider society.
• Fundamental British Values are evident in Computing and children understand how Computing can celebrate difference
• Through wider reading in Computing, children will understand the importance of computing in the world today and find out about key figures in the field of Computing. Through this exposure, children will produce work that is influenced by the best of the best.
• Children will understand what algorithms are and be able to create and sequence basic algorithms, understanding how they are implemented as programs on a digital; and that programs execute by following precise and clear instructions.
• Children will use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content and recognise common uses of computers in everyday life (e.g. from traffic lights to smart TVs, games consoles, tablets and computers).
• Children will be able to use technology safely and respectfully and know where to go for help and support. They will be able to use computer systems to find information eg. an understanding of how to search the Internet for reliable information, using email and understanding about viruses/malware.
• Children will develop digital literacy by learning how to use a computer effectively. For example, using applications to produce a poster. They will understand how to use basic office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel etc. and how to use keyboards and a mouse to select and use applications.