Intent:
Our Computing curriculum at Rectory Farm is ambitious, creative and inclusive. The overall aim is to inspire and prepare learners for an ever-changing and evolving digital world.
Through our Computing Curriculum we intend to:
- equip our learners with the skills and knowledge they need to become creative, digitally literate, computational thinkers.
- create learners, who have a broad and deep computing skillset, that they can draw upon and apply to various digital contexts, that will enhance a wide range of curriculum experiences.
- teach learners to recognise how some skills are transferable and can help them to solve problems across subject areas and in real life situations.
- teach our learners how to use computational thinking to think critically; including how to use algorithms, debug, ask questions and find patterns.
- We want our learners to understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with online experiences and to develop into respectful, responsible digital citizens, aware of measures that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe online.
Implementation:
We have developed our computing curriculum alongside the expertise of the Denbigh School Computing Hub; consequently, Computing at Rectory Farm Primary School is taught through the Teach Computing Curriculum, which is aligned to match the scope and ambition of the National Curriculum.
Learners engage in alternate terms of discrete computing teaching, followed by shorter embedding terms in which they can apply their computing knowledge and skills to other subject areas, therefore enabling them to understand how computing can be used as a tool to enhance learning across the curriculum.
The Computing Curriculum is sequenced coherently to ensure that substantive and disciplinary knowledge builds through six distinct strands which are:
- Creating Media - A
- Programming - A
- Computing Systems and Networks
- Data and Information
- Creating Media - B
- Programming - B
Online behaviours are taught explicitly and underpin all strands.
Our core computing curriculum covers 10 main areas of study:
- Networks
- Creating Media
- Data & Information
- Design & Development
- Computing Systems
- Impact of Technology
- Algorithms
- Programming
- Effective Use of tools
- Safety & Security
Early Years:
Our learners begin their journey with technology in Early Years.
Learners in EYFS will:
- have access to a wide range of digital devices and can explore technology in real life contexts e.g. pelican crossing, supermarket checkout, microphones, speakers, CD player.
- explore Beebots, in a variety of contexts, using navigational vocabulary.
- use technology to communicate e.g., walkie, talkies and phones.
- be supported and encouraged to navigate around a programme or piece of software to enhance other curriculum areas.
- be taught about keeping safe online, including use of screen time.
Online Safety:
Online Behaviours and Online Safety are specifically taught and addressed each half term through a combination of ‘National Online Safety’ About Us | National Online Safety and ‘Project Evolve’ resources, which cover each of the 330 statements from UK Council for Internet Safety’s Framework (UKCIS): ‘Education for a Connected World.”
The following areas are covered through this framework:
- Self-Image and Identity
- Online Relationships
- Online Reputation
- Online Bullying
- Managing Online Information
- Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle
- Privacy and Security
- Copyright and Ownership
We also have an additional thread of ‘Keeping Ourselves Safe Online’ through our PSHE lessons, which are taught weekly.