Intent

At Kingston Park Primary, we want pupils to be MASTERS of technology and not slaves to it. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in students' lives,. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our pupils to be creators not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice with using technology and as a school we utilise technology to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education. Building our knowledge in this subject will allow pupils to effectively demonstrate their learning through creative use of technology. We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils. Our knowledge rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful computer scientists. We encourage staff to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of tools to best express their understanding and hope by Upper Key Stage 2, children have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set by teachers.

Implementation

The teaching and learning of Computing is taught discreetly throughout our school to
meet the standards addressed in both the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and
the National Curriculum (published September 2014).
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 of 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. ‘Tinkering’ with
software and programs forms part of the ethos of computing as we want to develop
pupils’ confidence when encountering new technology, which is a vital skill in the ever
evolving and changing landscape of technology. 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 build children’s knowledge each year through three pillars of progression:

• Information technology
• Computational Thinking (Computer Science)
• Digital Literacy and Online Safety.

Computer science
Computer science is the core of the computing curriculum and covers principles such
as data representation, algorithms, data structures and programming. This provides
the foundation knowledge required to understand and interpret other areas of the
curriculum.
Information technology
Information technology provides a context for the use of computers within society.
Within IT there is a focus on knowledge of how computers are used within different
sectors and describes the methods to create digital artefacts such as videos,
animations or 3D models.
Digital literacy
Digital literacy is the knowledge and ability to use technology confidently, competently
and in a safe way. It covers wide-ranging knowledge from how to operate devices at
a mechanical level, searching and selecting information and how to use digital devices
safely and responsibly.

We endeavour to use computing across the wider curriculum to enhance learning and to raise the profile of the importance of computing. Therefore, our staff are supported by Project EVOLVE and ICT MrP scheme of work in which computing is taught through D.A.R.E.S projects. D.A.R.E.S is an innovative approach to teaching computing which encourages pupils to be critical thinkers, problems solvers and computational thinkers while creating purposeful content to demonstrate how learning can be applied across the wider curriculum. The stages of each project are as follows:

D - Design: Pupils start to discuss the desired outcome for their project and are given time to tinker with the software before planning what they will do to achieve their outcome.

A - Apply: Pupils are given the opportunity to create, make and produce content using the app or software explored in the Design lesson(s)

R - Refine: Pupils spend time considering ways to modify and improve their projects to get the best results possible.

E - Evaluate: Upon completing their desired outcome, pupils are given the opportunity to reflect and consider how effectively they have achieved their goal.

S - Share: Learners are given the opportunity to publish and exhibit their work to the world embedding skills from the Digital Literacy curriculum.

This approach allows teachers to carefully plan and deliver sequential links across the three pillar of progression and across phases, building a clear mental model of computing.

Teachers provide opportunities for children to build breadth and depth of knowledge through new and repeated opportunities This will enable children to transfer skills across different software and hardware .

In addition, we continually use retrieval practice to show how we build on previous learning and show new knowledge.

Please see below Computing long term plan.

Impact

We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. We will constantly ask the WHY behind their learning and not just the HOW. We want learners to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well being. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style. We feel the way we implement computing 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.

Teachers 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 that they
have choices to make. They will be confident and respectful digital citizens going on
to lead happy and healthy digital lives. 

Please see below for further information regarding online safety.