Computing Intent

The Key Stage 2 computing curriculum has a clear intent to align with our school values of resilience, respect, curiosity, kindness, compassion, and creativity, while also reflecting the aims of National Curriculum. By providing a high-quality computing education, the curriculum aims to equip students with the skills of computational thinking and creativity, enabling them to understand and make a positive impact on the world. 

The curriculum recognises that computing is not isolated but has deep connections with other subjects such as: mathematics, science, and design and technology. It places a strong emphasis on computer science principles, teaching students about information and computation, the inner workings of digital systems, and how to apply this knowledge through programming. 

Through this foundation, students are empowered to use information technology to create programs, systems, and various content. This not only enhances their digital literacy but also nurtures their ability to express themselves and develop ideas using information and communication technology. The curriculum ensures that students are well-prepared for future workplaces and active participation in a digital world. 

In line with the school values, the curriculum encourages resilience by challenging students to overcome obstacles and develop problem-solving skills. It promotes respect by teaching responsible and ethical use of technology, fostering positive online interactions, and valuing privacy. The curriculum sparks curiosity by encouraging exploration and experimentation, igniting a passion for technology. It also cultivates kindness and compassion by promoting empathy and inclusivity in digital spaces. Lastly, the curriculum fosters creativity through opportunities for students to express their ideas and create innovative solutions using computing skills. Overall, the Key Stage 2 computing curriculum aligns with the school values and national curriculum intent, providing students with a solid foundation for their digital future.

Computing Implementation

At Croftlands Junior School, computing is taught in weekly, discreet computing lessons following the roadmap detailed above. Our scheme of work for Computing is adapted from the ‘Teach Computing’ Curriculum and covers all aspects of the National Curriculum to ensure it meets the following statutory objectives:

• design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
• use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output - use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
• understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration
• use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
• select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information

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. The curriculum aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future. It can be broken down into 3 strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy, with the aims of the curriculum reflecting this distinction. Sessions are adapted to meet the requirements of a specific cohort and lesson content is frequently reviewed by class teachers and the subject lead.

Computing Impact

We encourage our children to enjoy and value the computing curriculum Croftlands Junior School delivers. 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 wellbeing. 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 use both formative and summative assessment information in Computing. Our curriculum has key objectives and we have set out our expectations around these.  We assess pupils’ depth of understanding frequently and use this to forecast as to whether pupils are on track to meet our curriculum expectations. This process provides an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the quality of education in Computing.   The Subject Leader will monitor progress according to the school’s monitoring timetable and are expected use a variety of strategies to gather evidence throughout the year including:

• Learning Walks
• Pupil Voice – through surveys and group discussions
• Work Scrutiny including unit assessment data  
• Planning Scrutiny
• Lesson Drop-ins 

The outcomes of any monitoring activity is fed back to staff through the relevant meetings in order to inform future planning, teaching and learning. This ensures that the computing curriculum at Croftlands Junior School remains engaging for the children and relevant to the digital world they live in.