Cowley Hill
Computing
Cowley Hill Computing Curriculum Statement
Curriculum Intent:
Children at Cowley Hill School will engage in a computing curriculum that gives them the life-skills that will enable them to utilise and embrace new technologies in a safe and socially responsible way. They use their skills of reasoning when working with various programmes and during a wide range of activities in order to help them become autonomous users of technology and to have the confidence to use technology to support the whole curriculum. We ultimately want our children to become digitally literate independent users of technology and become responsible digital citizens.
We offer a structured sequence of lessons, helping teachers to ensure that they have covered the skills required to meet the aims of the national curriculum. The content allows for a broad, deep understanding on computing and how it links to children's lives. It offers a range of opportunities for consolidation, challenge and variety. This allows children to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science. They develop analytical problem-solving skills and learn to evaluate and apply information technology. It also enables them to become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information technology.
We aim to equip pupils with cultural capital, preparing children with the essential technical knowledge and skills for what comes next. The exploration of new skills and experiences helps to nurture resilience, curiosity and creativity. Through this journey, children develop new forms of cultural capital that makes a difference in individual mind-sets, which consequently shapes their future.
Curriculum Implementation:
Our whole school approach to long term planning ensures high quality learning and teaching occurs across the whole school, creating a broad and balanced computing curriculum where cross-curricular links form a fundamental part of the delivery. Each lesson contains revision, analysis and problem-solving. Through the sequence of lessons, we intend to inspire children to develop a love of the digital world, see its place in their future and give teachers confidence. Cross-curricular links are also important in supporting other areas of learning. Our lesson plans and resources help children to build on prior knowledge at the same time as introducing new skills and challenges.
In KS1, the focus is on developing the use of algorithms, programming and how technology can be used safely and purposefully. In KS2, lessons still focus on algorithms, programming and coding but in a more complex way and for different purposes. Children also develop their knowledge of computer networks, internet services and the safe and purposeful use of the internet and technology. Data Handing is featured more heavily in UKS2 .
Skills learnt through KS1 and LKS2 are used to support data presentation. Adult guides are offered, as well as end-of-unit assessments, enabling staff to feel confident in the progression of skills and knowledge and that outcomes have been met. An example of keywords has been included, showing the progression of specific language involved in children’s learning so that teachers can also assess understanding and progress through vocabulary. We suggest a specific sequence of lessons for each year group, offering structure and narrative. There are not to be used exclusively but will support teachers planning.
Curriculum Impact:
Learning in computing will be enjoyed across the school. Teacher will have high expectations and quality evidence will be presented in a variety of forms. Children will use digital and technological vocabulary accurately, alongside a progression in their technical skills. They will be confident using a range of hardware and software and will produce high-quality purposeful products. Children will see the digital world as part of their world, extending beyond school, and understand they have choices to make. They will be confident and respectful digital citizens going on to lead happy and healthy digital lives.
The impact of our curriculum is under constant review and development to ensure that it appropriately meets the needs of our children, supporting and challenging pupils to achieve their full potential.
Our curriculum is regularly monitored by:
- Assessing children’s existing understanding and vocabulary, before and after the unit is taught.
- Assessing children’s’ learning behaviours working towards an objective such as confidence, engagement, self-motivation, resilience, curiosity.
- Moderation of effective planning and lesson sequences.
- Summative assessment of children’s discussions about their learning.
- Assessment of recorded work, which may include work in books, images of practical activities, electronic work stored on Google Classroom.
- Interviewing the children about their learning (pupil voice).
- Moderation staff meetings where children’s books are scrutinised and there is the opportunity for a dialogue between teachers to understand their class’s work.