...a haven of hope and aspiration...

Computing Lead: Miss Copley

At Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, we believe that children need to be taught the skills that they will need in the future.  More and more, daily life is influenced by technology so our computing curriculum covers a broad range of technological ideas to prepare the children for whatever they encounter.  We aspire to encourage an enquiring mind and the ability to debug programmes which will be transferrable to not only future computing advances but across all areas of the curriculum and their lives.  We ensure the children understand how computers work and what their limitations are.  We also ensure the children understand how to stay safe when interacting with the world wide web and promote an awareness of the limitations of what they may find there.

British Values

At Archbishop Courtenay Primary school, we understand our responsibility in preparing children for future opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life, laying the foundations so that they can take their place successfully in modern British society. We promote a respect for and understanding of different faiths and cultures. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of each child is central to everything that we do as a school and central to our school vision. Through the use of computing technology, we teach the children to respect others opinions and ideas, but also to accept responsibility for their online behaviour, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of others through technology.

Planning

Our computing curriculum covers the ten key strands: Algorithms, Computer networks, Computer systems, Creating media, Data and information, Design and development, Effective use of tools, Impact of technology, Programming and Safety and security in a coherent and progressive manner across the year groups.  Each skill is revisited and built upon in following years and ensures all children have a good foundation of skills to transfer to secondary and other aspects.  We also teach about online safety especially social media and ensure the children are prepared for the increased influence this has on their lives.

Assessment

Teachers monitor the children progress using assessments provided within the curriculum and can adjust the teaching to ensure that all children are able to achieve.  The subject leader will also collect and observe data to ensure the standards are high.  Teachers use practical activities and verbal discussions to ensure children have a deeper understanding of what they are doing rather than just following directions and children are encouraged to find their own solutions throughout the curriculum.

Collective Evidence

Many pupils accessed their learning online during the lockdown and have a basic understanding of how computers work, but in some cases, this is limited.  The subject leader will be collecting pupil voice through interviews and lesson observations and will act upon the suggestions of pupils wherever possible to ensure this important subject is both engaging and rewarding. Since Term 1, we have been working with Maidstone Grammar School for Girls to improve our computing offer.

Enrichment opportunities

Computing affects our daily lives in many ways.  At Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, we incorporate computers in to lessons through quizzes, research, tests and interactive programmes across the curriculum. 

We are also linking with the Maidstone and Kent Computing Hub to ensure that the children have access to the latest technology and looking for innovative ways to incorporate these in to their lessons.

Targets 

• To continue to develop the teaching of computing across the school using mobile devices including laptops and i-pads therefore ensuring all children can access the curriculum
• To ensure children have a better understanding of online safety and that they respect the digital world and community they are part of
• To develop pupils respect for the impact computers have on their lives and develop their own computing identity
• To develop pupils knowledge and understanding of coding through the use of Scratch, Python, Micro-bits and Crumbles

Impact

This will be monitored through pupil and staff voice and lesson observations.  Learning walks and pupil interviews will give the subject leader a snapshot of the children’s learning and records will be monitored.  Success in computing will be shared across the school such as allowing younger children to play games designed by older pupils, and videos made by younger pupils shared with older children.  We will be developing a pupil led school podcast in 2023-24. 

Computing at home

https://www.scratchjr.org/ - Scratch Jr is the KS1 version of the larger programme, Scratch.  With ScratchJr, young children can program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer.

https://scratch.mit.edu/ - With Scratch, children can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations — and share their creations with others in the online community.  Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century.

https://canvaspaint.org - An online version of Microsoft paint which allows the children to draw and create their own digital images.

https://www.j2e.com/j2data/ - J2Data allows children to create and sort data in a variety of ways such as pictograms and charts.  This provides links with the statistics section of the Maths curriculum, encouraging computational and spatial thinking.

https://www.dancemattypingguide.com/ - Dancemat typing is a fun interactive game to teach children to touch type with speed and accuracy. It is interactive, fun, free and easy-to-use for kids; the system is complete with animated animal characters, graphics and sounds.