Computing | How we do it
At Willows, we have designed our computing curriculum to allow children to develop essential skills and knowledge, building up from the foundations in order to achieve a high-quality computing education. We provide them with a wide range of opportunities to use technology in different ways across the curriculum. For example, Year 5 and Year 6 children are given individual IPADS so that they can access and develop their learning through technology across the whole curriculum.
We have developed a computing curriculum that builds on previous year’s knowledge and skills to ensure progression year on year. Alongside this, a vocabulary progression ensures children ability to articulate within the computing curriculum is developed.
In order to develop the whole child, we have created an online safety curriculum that is tailored to our children. We aim for our pupils to leave Willows with a clear understanding of how to be safe and responsible online. The skills that the children will be equipped with will give them a strong sense of identity and an understanding of what is right and wrong online.
Computing is taught as a stand-alone subject, however, it often it links in with many other subject areas and therefore is considered in with our Mini Adventure planning. Computing is divided into three sections to ensure coverage of all areas; Computer Science, Information Technology and Online Safety, which is taught through the use of Project Evolve. Each of these sections allow the progression of skills and the development of new skills as the children move through the years.
Skills are revisited through use of retrieval activities and developed throughout the children’s time at school. This enables the children to cement the skills they have learned, which then become key transferable skills that can be used throughout the curriculum. Children are encouraged to use the technology available to them in order to enhance their work in all areas. In each classroom, there is always access to either laptops, computers or iPads and these resources are shared around the school where necessary.
Curriculum Progression
Personal Development
Our Personal Development curriculum has been designed with the children at the very heart of it. It is intrinsic across our curriculum focusing on the importance of developing the ‘whole child’ so they have a clear sense of identity and individuality, that enables them to become responsible, respectful, active citizens who make a valuable and positive contribution to our society.
Our Computing curriculum develops children’s fundamental skills, in preparation for ‘living in the wider world.’ Children learn progressive computing skills and they develop an awareness of how to stay safe online to help support their Mental Health and Wellbeing. We use Project Evolve to raise the awareness and importance of online safety enabling the children to keep safe in this ever-changing, digital world. We raise their ‘Cultural Capital’ by including trips to places such as the Think Tank and National Space Centre which immerse the children in the technological world around them. A robust vocabulary progression in Coding and Computing improves their ability to articulate and understand the technical process of computing as well as develop their communication skills beyond the curriculum.