Computing

Intent

At Otley and Witnesham Primary Schools, we use Kapow Primary’s Computing scheme to support the delivery of our Computing curriculum. This scheme aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupil’s appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to, create, manage, organise and collaborate. Tinkering with software and programs forms a part of the ethos of the scheme 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.
We want our children to be successful in the future and through our curriculum, we intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent and have a range of transferable skills at a suitable level for the future workplace, but also to be responsible online citizens.
Alongside our PSHE sessions and Safer Internet Day activities, our Computing scheme of work also satisfies all the objectives in the Connected World Framework. This will ensure that our children are equipped for life in the digital world, including developing their understanding of appropriate online behaviour, copyright issues, challenging the reliability of online content and healthy use of technology.

Implementation

The National curriculum purpose of study states: 

'A high-quality Computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with Mathematics, Science, and Design and Technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of Computing is Computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.'

Therefore, the Kapow Primary scheme of work is designed with three strands which run throughout:

• Computer Science

• Information Technology

• Digital Literacy 

A carefully mapped curriculum ensures that these three strands are covered, as well as National Curriculum attainment targets over different units in each year group. The progression of skills demonstrates the skills taught in each year group and how these skills develop year on year to ensure children can meet the expected standard by the end of each key stage. 

The Kapow Primary scheme is organised into five key areas, creating a cyclical route through which pupils can develop their Computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning:

• Computer Systems and Networks

• Programming

• Creating Media

• Data Handling

• Online Safety 

The implementation of Kapow Primary Computing ensures a broad and balanced coverage of the National curriculum requirements. 'Skill showcase' units provide pupils with the opportunity to learn and apply transferable skills. Where meaningful, units have been created to link to other subjects such as Science, Art, and Music to enable the development of further transferable skills and genuine cross-curricular learning. 

Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work as well as unplugged and digital activities. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles. Differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils' learning are available when required. 

Computing in Early Years

Although Computing is no longer an explicit statutory area in the Early Years framework, embedding digital experiences and computational thinking is essential for preparing young children for a technology-rich world. Therefore, children in Early Years have access to carefully planned Computing resources in their classrooms. By introducing these tools early establishes safe screen habits and basic digital literacy, giving children a smooth, confident transition into the Key Stage 1 curriculum.

Impact

The impact of Kapow Primary's scheme can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives. A unit quiz is available at the end of each unit to capture pupil knowledge.