Intent

At Clipstone Brook Lower School, we strive to give our pupils a good understanding of the technology around them, how it is constantly changing and developing and how it can be used in the modern world. We believe the study of Computing should aim to inspire children’s curiosity and encourage them to want to know more about how they can use technology in their own lives, both at school and at home. It should enable them to develop key computing skills that also link to other subjects such as maths and english.

In addition, it should also give a better understanding of the uses and purposes for different devices. 

Implementation 

Our aim is to present computing at an early age in EYFS, through lessons such as phonics, maths and Expressive Art and Design. 

In KS1 and KS2, we use the Teach Computing planning made available by the NCCE, to ensure the children develop and build on their prior knowledge and skills learnt from the previous year. 

When the children leave and embark on their middle school education, our aim is to have developed young responsible users who are; programmers, photographers, mathematicians and problem solvers.

• Be able to comprehend, design, create, and evaluate algorithms.
• Understand how networks can be used to retrieve and share information, and how they come with associated risks.
• Understand what a computer is, and how its constituent parts function together as a whole.
• Select and create a range of media including text, images, sounds, and video.
• Understand how data is stored, organised, and used to represent real-world artefacts and scenarios.
• Understand the activities involved in planning, creating, and evaluating computing artefacts.
• Use software tools to support computing work. 
• Understand how individuals, systems, and society as a whole interact with computer systems.
• Create software to allow computers to solve problems. 
• Understand risks when using technology, and how to protect individuals and systems.

Computing is taught each half term as a unit of lessons but also taught when links can be made to other subjects. 

Within each Key Stage, references will be made to prior and future learning so that children understand the purpose of each activity. Teachers will have a clear understanding of what has been taught in the previous year/ Key Stage group and the expectations in the next.  There will be a range of carefully planned activities to inspire and challenge children’s interest in the subject/ area of study. 

In each classroom in Key Stage 1 and 2 there will be a ‘computational thinking’ poster’ This will be shared and referred to throughout the children’s learning in Computing and across other subjects.

Impact 

The children will be able to talk passionately about the knowledge and skills they have learnt. The outcomes in children’s work, and most importantly through pupil voice, will inform ongoing formative assessment, and will be used as part of subject monitoring, to provide evidence of a broad and balanced computing curriculum and demonstrate the children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge and skills.The majority of children will achieve the outcomes identified in the computing curriculum map as they move progressively in the learning journey across the school.