Computing

Subject Lead:  Mr Rob Youson [email protected]  / Mr Andy Cooke [email protected]

The curriculum for Computing at All Souls builds upon the programme of study outlined in the National Curriculum for England which can be found here. 

What is our vision for Computing at All Souls?

In an ever changing world, where technology plays a continually bigger role, we know that becoming confident, articulate, versatile and responsible digital citizens is crucial, more so now than ever before, to children’s future success.  This is why, through a carefully planned and expertly delivered progressive and dynamic curriculum, we place a huge value and importance on children’s computing skills at All Souls.  Through the various strands of learning within the Computing curriculum we strive to provide children the rich knowledge and skills that they need to use technology to solve increasingly complex problems; communicate effectively with others; organise, store and manipulate files efficiently; design for a wide variety of purposes; represent themselves artistically and creatively and source information skillfully.  Woven throughout the curriculum, children are constantly and progressively taught and reinforced about the risks and dangers that technology presents and are provided the opportunities to develop the skills, confidence and desire to keep themselves and others safe.

How do we achieve this vision?

All computing lessons are delivered by the school’s dedicated IT lead and expert, and take place in the school Learning Hub. Computing is taught as a discrete lesson across KS1 and KS2.  In Year 1, children receive fortnightly lessons of approximately 45 minutes in length, beginning in the Spring term.  In Year 2, this increases to fortnightly lessons throughout the academic year.  As children progress into KS2, Computing curriculum time increases again.  In Years 3 and 4, children receive weekly Computing lessons for two terms of the academic year and in Years 5 and 6 this again increases and they receive weekly lessons throughout the year.  In all year groups, Computing is taught in half-class groups.  This ensures that all children have access to the technology and resources required as well as increased access to adult support.  Children have access to a range of devices and technology such as laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, cameras, floor robots, microbits etc. and make use of a significantly wide range of software, so that the skills that they learn are not device/software specific and can be easily transferred.  Within lessons, children have ongoing opportunities to develop the basic computing skills of typing, pointer manipulation using a mouse or touchpad, file retrieval and manipulation and searching.  Work, tasks and outcomes are often challenge or project based so that work and skills developed over a number of lessons contribute to outcomes.  Children are also often encouraged to be creative and individual in their approach allowing them to understand that technology can be used as a part of self-expression.  In each lesson, fundamental digital safety messages are reiterated and reinforced so that children are alert and responsive to the risks and dangers of technology.  E-safety messages are taught alongside, not independent to, curriculum content so that these are relevant and in context and so that the children have immediate opportunity to behave as a positive and responsible digital citizen.

How does this impact our children?

For many children in school, computing is a weekly highlight, and children overwhelmingly enjoy their computing lessons.  Their enjoyment in demonstrated through their passionate involvement within lessons, the highly creative and individual nature of their outcomes and their desire to use their technology skills across the curriculum.  By the end of Key Stage 2, children are confident and articulate in their use of technology in a wide variety of contexts, can describe and explain their learning and how technology plays a part in their life and the wider world, and they have the knowledge and skills to keep themselves and others safe when online or using technology.

 

 

Computing Curriculum Map

 

 

Computing Skills Progression

 

Extra Curricular

As well as computing lessons children are encouraged to attend our extra-curricular clubs. These include coding, web design, 3D printing, photography, photo editing and much more. These sessions are run by staff throughout the year giving a large number of pupils the opportunity to take part.

Policies and documents relating to computing