Computing

Intent

At Cavendish we want pupils to be equipped to participate in the rapidly changing technical world with lifelong learning skills enabling them to use technology positively, safely and responsibly.

We intend for all children:

To be taught the National Curriculum through high quality teaching.
To be exposed to computing across our wider curriculum to make learning creative and accessible.
To be equipped with lifelong learning skills enabling them to be confident and creative users of technology.
To become resilient “computational thinkers” who tackle complex problems, make mistakes and learn from them.
To become good digital citizens, to know how to stay safe and keep others safe online and to be aware of the importance of their own digital footprint.

Implementation

Our Computing curriculum is adapted from the ‘Teach Computing’ Curriculum and covers all aspects of the National Curriculum. This scheme was chosen as it has been created by subject experts and based on the latest pedagogical research. It provides an innovative progression framework for the computing content (concepts, knowledge, skills and objectives).

The curriculum aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future. The curriculum can be broken down into 3 strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy, with the aims of the curriculum reflecting this distinction. Teachers follow a clear progression of skills which ensure all pupils are challenged inline with their year group expectations and are given the opportunity to build on their prior knowledge.

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure all pupils:

can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science)
can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems (Computer science)
can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology)
are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy)
Children are exposed to the use of chromebooks, ipads and desktop devices.
The role of parents is recognised and they are involved in understanding how to keep their children safe at home through regular communication.

Impact

Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style. We feel the way we implement computing at Cavendish helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can continue to build on in their next stage of education and beyond.

We encourage regular discussions between staff and pupils to best embed and understand this. The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work will best show the impact of our curriculum. We also look for evidence through reviewing pupil’s knowledge and skills digitally and observing learning regularly. Our children enjoy and value computing and know why they are doing things, not just how. Children will understand and appreciate the value of computing in the context of their personal wellbeing and the technological, creative and cultural industries and their many career opportunities.

Progress of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through outcomes and the record of coverage in the process of achieving these outcomes. Each year, a selection of children from Upper Key Stage 2 are chosen to become Digital Ambassadors. These children are trained to support children that may encounter issues online. They hold informative assemblies for children.

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