Computing

Whether you want to uncover the secrets of the universe, or you want to pursue a career in the 21^st century, basic computing programming is an essential skill to learn.' - Stephen Hawkins

Our Computing Lead is Miss Waterfield (Miss Weller MAT cover). 

 

At Peel Brow  we are extremely passionate about computing as it is an essential life skill in modern Britain. We have trained and developed staff to enhance the teaching and learning of computing as I feel that it is important to give all children rich, deep learning experiences that balance all the aspects of computing. With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we believe ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill children must be taught if they are to be able to participate effectively and safely in this digital world. A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use creativity to understand and change the world. 

We are lucky at Peel Brow Primary School to have amazing resources and teaching staff who support and enhance the children’s learning experience.  It gives us great pride when I see the impact this has on the children’s computing and problem solving skills, their confidence and their passion for computing and technology.  Our children are our future and we feel computing is a huge aspect of this and we need to develop alongside the ever changing world of technology.

Intent

The school’s aims are to:

• Provide a broad, balanced, challenging and enjoyable curriculum for all pupils.
• Develop pupil’s computational thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
• Meet the requirements of the national curriculum programmes of study for computing at Key Stage 1 and 2
• To respond to new developments in technology
• To equip pupils with the confidence and skills to use digital tools and technologies throughout their lives.
• To enhance and enrich learning in other areas of the curriculum using IT and computing.
• To develop the understanding of how to use computers and digital tools safely and responsibly

The school believes that IT, computer science and digital literacy:

• are essential life skills necessary to fully participate in the modern digital world.
• allows children to become creators of digital content rather than simply consumers of it
• provides access to a rich and varied source of information and content.
• communicates and presents information in new ways, which helps pupils understand, access and use it more readily.
• can motivate and enthuse pupils.
• offers opportunities for communication and collaboration through group working both inside and outside of school.
• has the flexibility to meet the individual needs and abilities of each pupil.

 

Implementation

• The school will be using JuniorJam for Primary schools - the whole-school scheme of work for Year 1 to Year 6 pupils. JuniorJam fully meets the objectives of the National Curriculum for Computing and allows for clear progression in computing. Pupil progress towards these objectives will be recorded by JuniorJam teacher as part of the school recording system. 
• A minority of children will have particular teaching and learning requirements which go beyond the provision for that age range and if not addressed, could create barriers to learning. This could include G&T children, those with SEN or those who have EAL. Teachers will take account of these requirements and plan, where necessary, to support individuals or groups of pupils to enable them to participate effectively in the curriculum and assessment activities. During any teaching activities, teachers will bear in mind that special arrangements could be made available to support individual pupils.   This is in accordance with the school inclusion policy.  These children should be identified and discussed at pupil progress meetings to ensure that appropriate provisions and/or interventions are affected.   

 

Impact

We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. 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 well being. 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 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 also look for evidence through reviewing pupil’s knowledge and skills digitally through tools like Showbie, applications  and observing learning regularly. Progress of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through outcomes and the record of coverage in the process of achieving these outcomes.