Subject Intent & Implementation
The intent for Computing at Appleton Roebuck is to enable pupils to understand
the wide range of technology at their disposal and be able to choose appropriate
software and hardware to meet a given brief.
We want our children to leave Appleton Roebuck aware of how to use computers
and the internet safely and be confident to meet the challenges of the future.
Principle Aims of Computing
Our computing curriculum aims to prepare pupils to participate in a rapidly
changing world in which work and other activities are increasingly transformed
by access to varied and developing technology.
We recognise that computing is an important tool in both society we live in
and in the process of teaching and learning.
Pupils use different tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present
information responsibly and creatively.
They learn how to employ computing to enable rapid access to ideas and
experiences from a wide range of sources.
Our Curriculum: Teach Computing
At Appleton Roebuck we use the Teach Computing resources developed by the
National Centre for Computing Education to deliver the primary computing
national curriculum.
Teach Computing has four core themes:
- Computing systems and networks
- Creating media
- Programming A and B
- Data and information
The ‘Teach Computing’ Approach
Coherence and flexibility
The Teach Computing Curriculum is structured in units which follow a coherent
sequence.
Spiral curriculum
The units for key stages 1 and 2 are based on a spiral curriculum. This means
that each of the themes is revisited regularly and pupils revisit each theme
through a new unit that consolidates and builds on prior learning within that
theme.
Curriculum design
This style of curriculum design reduces the amount of knowledge lost through
forgetting, as topics are revisited yearly.
It also ensures that connections are made even if different teachers are
teaching the units within a theme in consecutive years.
Physical Computing & E-Safety
Physical computing
The Teach Computing Curriculum acknowledges that physical computing plays an
important role in modern computing, both as a tool to engage pupils and as a
strategy to develop pupils’ understanding in more creative ways.
Physical computing supports and engages a diverse range of pupils in tangible
and challenging tasks.
E-safety
References are made in planning to show where aspects relating to online safety,
or digital citizenship, are covered within the Teach Computing Curriculum.
Online safety is also covered in our PSHE curriculum. However, the coverage
required for the Computing National Curriculum is provided.
Computing & the Wider Curriculum
We want the development of skills and knowledge within the computing curriculum
to be applied to the wider curriculum to enrich the learning experience where
appropriate.
The aim is for our learners to be able to use IT to unlock and enrich other
areas of learning and to help them in life outside of school.
EYFS
Our computing curriculum starts in EYFS. IT is used to enrich the curriculum
and areas of online safety are also discussed.
Subject Impact
Confident users of technology
All teachers and learners in our school become confident users of ICT so that they
can develop the skills, knowledge and understanding which enables them to use the
appropriate resources effectively as powerful tools for teaching & learning.
This will prepare them for the future and living in an increasingly modern world.