Intent
At Moorlands, our computing curriculum is designed to meet the content of the National Curriculum.
It prepares 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 using technology correctly and confidently is an important tool in both the society we live in and in the process of teaching and learning.
Pupils use computing tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly, creatively and with discrimination. They learn how to employ computing to enable rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of sources.
Our vision is for all teachers and learners in our school to become confident users of computing so that they can develop the skills, knowledge and understanding which enables them to be confident, creative and independent learners."
Implementation
Our scheme of work for Computing is adapted from the ‘Teach Computing’ Curriculum and covers all aspects of the National Curriculum. This scheme was chosen as it has been created by subject experts and based on the latest pedagogical research. It provides an innovative progression framework where computing content (concepts, knowledge, skills and objectives) has been organised into interconnected networks called learning graphs.
As the aims of computing are to equip children with the skills necessary to use technology to become independent learners, the teaching style that we adopt is as active and practical as possible. While at times we do give children direct instruction on how to use hardware and software, the main emphasis of our teaching in computing is for individuals or groups of children to use computers to help them in whatever they are studying. Computing contributes to teaching and learning in all curriculum areas and is used throughout the curriculum as well as planned units of work, which can be found in the curriculum long term plan.
The curriculum can be broken down into 3 strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy, with the aims of the curriculum reflecting this distinction.
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure all pupils:
• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science)
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems (Computer science)
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology)
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy)
We have an annual e-safety week that tie in with the national e- safety day and plan activities and learning highlighting the importance of keeping safe online. We also embed online safety in RSHE lessons throughout the school and this is taken from the National Online Safety website.
National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE)
To ensure excellence in the Computing Curriculum, we use the National Centre for Computing, which is funded by the Department of Education, to support us with planning and delivery of a Computer Science based curriculum.