“What a computer is to me, is the most remarkable tool that we have ever come up with. It’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.”

Steve Jobs

Intent

At Park Lane Primary School, we believe that technology enables us to better understand the world we live in and become well-rounded socially aware citizens, who stand up to injustice in the real and cyber world with confidence. They know their voice has power, they have impact beyond the walls of the school, and they have the skills to create real change. Computing is an integral part of everyday life and will play an immeasurable part in our Griffin’s futures. At Park Lane, we will provide all of our Griffins with the skills, creativity and enthusiasm to live and thrive in a world that’s increasingly dependent on computing with our rich and exciting curriculum.

The computing curriculum is broken down into 3 areas:

• Information Technology – The productive and creative use of technology.
• Digital Literacy – To use a computer confidently, safely and effectively.
• Computer Science – The understanding of computers and how they work.

At the core of computing is computer science, in which Griffins are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, our Griffins are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. We will help the children of Park Lane Primary School to become digitally literate – able to use and express themselves and develop ideas through information technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. Computing is embedded in all areas of the curriculum but has deep links with Maths, Science and Design and Technology; our Griffins are immersed in exciting opportunities daily (from Early Years though to Year 6) to continue to raise aspirations and attainment in this field.

Our intent is that every child will leave Park Lane with an understanding of their place in the world as digital citizens, and the confidence to enquire and explore, which in turn, will enable them to become confident and well-educated champions of technology.

Implementation

Teachers at Park Lane Primary School:

• Have secure subject knowledge of the computing curriculum using I can statements alongside Target Tracker to ensure computing lessons are skills based.
• Follow the National Centre for Computing Excellence (NCCE) cycle of lessons, which carefully plans for progression and depth across the school.
• Utilise Project Evolve/ National Online Safety to deliver online safety lessons explicitly whilst still tackling issues discretely in the classroom.
• Plan unplugged/ child-centred lessons that enable children to develop
• critical thinking skills through open questioning throughout the sessions.
• Have access to a range of IT resources such as iPads, laptops, VR headsets, interactive whiteboards and NowPressPlay headsets to allow children to continually practice and develop the skills they learn.
• Ensure computing is used cross-curricular so that skills are applied in other lessons.

Impact

Our Computing curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. Children at Park Lane are deemed to be making good or accelerated progress in this subject. In addition to this, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes.
• Seesaw provides an evidence base showcasing children’s understanding within computing across the school.
• Children can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
• Children can analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
• Children can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
• Children are responsible, competent, confident, and creative users of information and communication technology regardless of their background/ needs.
• Children’s learning prepares them for secondary school and provides them with crucial skills that are essential in a digitally literate world.

Curriculum Documents