Intent
At Warren Primary Academy, we deliver a structured sequence of lessons using the Purple Mash scheme. This ensures that children are equipped to use a range of computational thinking skills and creativity in order to understand the importance of technology, how technology is used throughout the world and the future potential it has. Teaching across Warren Primary Academy offers a range of opportunities for consolidation, challenge and variety which children will approach with courageous optimism. This allows children to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science. Children develop analytical problem-solving skills and learn to evaluate and apply information technology. It also enables them to become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information technology. Through their time at Warren Primary Academy our children will become digitally literate so that they can use, express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology at a level that will prepare them for future work and a digital work.
Aims
The National Curriculum for Computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- Can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
Key Stage One
Pupils should be taught to:
- Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
- Create and debug simple programs
- Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
- Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
- Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
- Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.
Key Stage Two
Pupils should be taught to:
- 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
- Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
Implementation
Computing at Warren Primary Academy is taught through unit blocks, each unit is not always split into the same number of lessons. Units taught cover the 3 areas of computing; computer science, information technology and digital literacy in great detail across each year group. Teachers are provided with a long term overview which clearly identifies which aspect of computing each unit teaches, alongside a suggested timetable of teaching to ensure full coverage is able to be completed each year. The Purple Mash scheme provides planning and PowerPoints to aid in the deliverance of lessons; although, teachers are encouraged to adapt these to ensure they suit the needs of their children. Each year group have been provided with a vocabulary list that will be used throughout the year. Purple Mash offers a section called Mini Mash which is aimed at EYFS. All of our children have their own account and log on details to access Purple Mash and are encouraged to continue embedding skills at home.
The structure of a lesson through Purple Mash is the same across year groups, each lesson contains revision, introduction of new vocabulary, analysis and problem-solving. Through the sequence of lessons, we intend to inspire pupils to develop a love of the digital world, see its place in their future and give teachers’ confidence.
Teaching in KS1, the focus is on developing the use of algorithms, programming and how technology can be used safely and purposefully. In KS2, lessons still focus on algorithms, programming and coding but in a more complex way and for different purposes. Children also develop their knowledge of computer networks, internet services and the safe and purposeful use of the internet and technology. Data Handling is featured more heavily in UKS2. Skills learnt through KS1 and LKS2 are used to support data presentation. Adult guides are offered, as well as end-of-unit assessments, enabling staff to feel confident in the progression of skills and knowledge and that outcomes have been met.
At Warren Primary Academy, we offer our children a rich digital learning experience by incorporating the use of iPads for cross curricular purposes. We use the iPads to skill our children in using modern technology allowing them to conduct research for Wider Curriculum subjects and to further enhance our working collaboratively skills.
We understand the importance of our role in safeguarding our children when using technology and this forms a huge part of our Computing curriculum alongside “Safer Internet Day”. We put great emphasis on ensuring children understand what e-safety is and how to stay safe online we do this by;
- Looking at e-safety in each year group and discussing what it is and how to stay safe at an age appropriate level,
- Creating e-safety posters,
- Including e-safety information on our Computing display in school,
- Lessons that teach the pupils about not meeting those you have spoken to online,
- Learning about information we should keep private,
- Doing an online safety quiz in lessons,
- Having a guide for parents and regular updates regarding new apps to be aware of on our weekly Newsletter.
At Warren Primary Academy, all children regardless of gender, race, cultural background or any physical or sensory disability have the same access to our Computing equipment. The use of technology across the curriculum supports children with additional needs to be able to access their learning. iPads should be used effectively to meet the needs of all learners. This should include all special educational needs and can be met with various apps and features on the iPad including;
- Guided access
- Speak selection
- Voice over
- Zoom
- Invert colours
Click the links below to find out more about Computing in our curriculum:
Online Safety Progression in the SoW