Intent

At Coppice Academy, we want pupils to be independent, forward thinkers of technology. We aim to model and educate our pupils’ on how to use technology that reflects safely, responsibly and respectfully. When teaching computing, we equip children with the skills required to use computers effectively to enable them to maximise their potential. Our Computing curriculum is utilised to promote resilience, independence, critical thinking, communication skills and problem solving. We intend on delivering a broad curriculum which encourages a love of learning for pupils within a progressive sequence. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice when accessing technology, and as a school, in particular with social media, we aim to model positive use. We understand that preventative methods of online, social media misuse can be addressed through education, embedded within our school values. We recognise that Computing unlocks pathways for children to be inquisitive individuals and provides a balance of structure and a canvas for digital artists to share their learning in creative ways. We understand that accessibility opportunities of hardware/ software and unplugged.

Implementation

Our pupils are designated one lesson of Computing learning a week. We use Purple Mash as a cohesive scheme of work addressing the statutory aspects of the National Curriculum. Computing is branched into three aspects: Computer Science; Information Technology; and Digital Literacy, so that our pupils are set a relevant, challenging continuum of age-related skills and knowledge for their own year groups within Key Stage 2. Pupils will 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; generate appropriate inputs and predicted outputs to test programs.
•  Use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works 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.
• Describe how internet search engines find and store data; use search engines effectively; be discerning in evaluating digital content; respect individuals and intellectual property; use technology responsibly, securely and safely.
•  Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating, and presenting data and information.

These skills are further encouraged at home through the use of Purple Mash Computing homework projects. We also provide a Coding Club after school for pupils to develop their coding skills further. Pupils have access to ipads in each classroom and class sets of Chrome books and mini laptops to develop Computing skills in other curriculum subjects.

We teach online safety as a unit of work in all year groups in the first half of the Autumn Term. Further curriculum enrichment is planned through Online Safety week in February, termly Google ‘Be Internet Legends’ assemblies and visiting speakers from West Midlands Police.

Impact

We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum that we deliver. Fundamentally, we ask the ‘why’ and not just the ‘how’ to explore the depth of each objective within a stimulating environment that encourages children to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact that Computing has on their learning, development and wellbeing. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy lifestyle. We feel the way that we implement Computing within cross curricular channels at Coppice helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can build on in their next stage of education and beyond. We encourage regular discussions between staff and pupils to best embed and understand this. The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work will best show the impact of our curriculum. We look for positive impact through observing learning regularly, early intervention where necessary and reviewing pupil’s digital skills through tools across Purple Mash. Progress of our Computing curriculum is measured through outcomes and the record of coverage through work saved in pupils’ personal document folders and saved ‘to do’ content electronically.