Computing 

INTENT

In Computing at Leesland Junior School we encourage children to become confident and creative users of information and communication technology, understanding its importance in their lives and in the ever-changing world around them. We ensure that pupils understand how to act as responsible online citizens, staying safe online to protect their own wellbeing and that of those around them.

Our aims for computing reflect the aims of the National Curriculum.

It is our intention to enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. Our curriculum enables pupils to explore and develop a range of skills, solving problems and presenting information using different equipment and software.

We equip pupils with the key digital literacy skills they need to express themselves and develop their ideas through information technology and computer science. Pupils use computational thinking and creativity to solve problems, and to understand and change the world. They should leave school computer literate.

Pupils at Leesland Junior School should be able to use a range of technologies to enrich their learning across the curriculum. Their knowledge and skills should be at a level suitable for the next stage in their computing education.

IMPLEMENTATION

The computing curriculum at Leesland Junior School reflects the aims set out in the National Currriculum Programme of Study.

Units of learning are either planning termly or half-termly, based on the content and the software used. These may be taught as discrete lessons each week or delivered in blocked units of time to allow larger projects to be completed. Teaching is mostly whole-class based, supported by appropriate differentiation.

At times, small group work is also used for children to practise or apply their computing skills in other subject areas across the curriculum.

When whole-class teaching takes place, children often work in pairs or groups. This allows skills of communication and cooperation to be promoted.

Long term curriculum planning for computing is created so that each Programme of Study (POS) strand is taught on balance and revisited throughout the course of the academic year.

The strands of computing are:

• Computer Science (CS)
• Information Technology (IT)
• Digital Literacy (DL)

Our computing curriculum is organised so that pupils have the opportunity to develop skills using a wide range of software. This is set out in our Long Term Planning (LTP), and in greater detail in the school’s Medium Term Planning

A secure understanding of E-safety underpins all of our teaching. Specific Esafety units are taught; at the start of the year in most year groups, and then revisited throughout each half term.

Specific key days, such as Safer Internet Day, are used as opportunities to further emphasise key messages of E-safety across the school community.

IMPACT

At Leesland Junior School we ensure that our computing planning and teaching is high quality, providing variety and promoting interest in the subject.

Children enjoy computing. When speaking with pupils across the school, they are enthusiastic about their learning and are able to articulate why the subject is important. Pupils of all ages can explain how to stay safe online and what to do if they encounter any issues.

Computing allows children to develop skills which are relevant to their everyday life and they are able to use their own knowledge and understanding to enhance their learning.

As the strands of computing are revisited throughout Key Stage 2, there is a clear skills progression within the subject. Pupils become adept at using specific software, such as Scratch, but are also given ample opportunity to explore a range of programmes. This allows them to use and apply their skills with confidence.

Within Computer Science, for example, in LKS2 pupils explore simple code using Scratch they also develop their skills to create a simple games and create Lego projects.  In UKS2 they apply their knowledge to produce quizzes to fulfil a specific purpose.

Teachers use their subject knowledge to engage and inspire pupils. As a school, we strive to use IT across the curriculum to support and enhance learning experiences, too. 

Planning for each computing unit is adapted from the MTP. The short term planning is either taught as a block or in a series of sessions over a half-term or term.

In computing, pupils show enthusiasm and very good attitudes to their learning. They are proud of their outcomes and are able to discuss the relevance of their learning, both across the curriculum and within their lives outside of school. Well planned units mean pupils are shown clear models and  they make good progress learning and using skills.

What our pupils say about Computing

'We like learning how to use different programs.'

'I liked making pictures and stories on the computer.'

'We used Scratch to create a maths game that we could all play, it was a lot of fun!'

'I liked using the internet to find out about a famous person from history (Earnest Shackleton) and then creating a power point presentation about him.'