Computing

“The Web as I envisaged it, we have not seen it yet. The future is still so much bigger than the past.”

– Tim Berners-Lee, Inventor of WWW

Intent

At Bedgrove Junior School we want to inspire all children to be MASTERS of technology. Technology is the future and will play a pivotal part in students' lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our pupils to be creators, not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice with using technology.  We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils. Above all, we understand that technology has the potential to enrich and inspire all of us through the added experiences it can provide.  Our knowledge-rich curriculum is balanced and challenges pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will, in turn, help our pupils become skillful computer scientists. Our teachers embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of tools to best express their understanding and by the end of Key Stage 2, know that children have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to succeed at any task and challenge set by teachers.

Implementation

We have a discreet timetable for the development of ICT skills as well as promoting the use of transferable skills across subjects. The computing planning is designed to ensure sequential progression from Year 3 to Year 6 building on the skills and knowledge from previous years. Computing is taught in weekly discrete lessons by our specialist computing teachers. Each area of learning is covered bi-termly on a class rotation basis so each child will have computing lessons for three out of six half terms. Computing is taught via our bank of iPads in the classroom environment. There are also opportunities for “unplugged” learning with a focus on eSafety, computational thinking and programming design. Outside of these discreet lessons children use ICT daily across the curriculum through our iPads.  We also invite external companies in to supplement our ICT offer eg RAF Halton provide coding sessions with spheros and we have VR sessions from external providers. We ensure that ICT is used to motivate and engage learners across the curriculum. Staff are confident to use air server to support modelling and children share ideas using sites like 'Padlet'. 

Impact

We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style. We feel our implementation of computing provides children with the foundation to build on in their next stage of education and beyond.  Our transition with our local secondary schools, linked to ICT in particular, is strong.  The impact on our pupil engagement has been evident in all learning walks.  Pupil voice highlights the enjoyment of ICT across the curriculum.  The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work best shows the impact of our curriculum.