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LAT Narrative Over Time

Introduction 

At LAT, we want our children to understand the potential of technology and start to build computing skills for the future. We want them to become digital creators, using technology to support other areas of their work and lives, and also to understand the responsibilities of being digital consumers on their time, relationships and wellbeing. We know the digital workplace is continuously evolving and want them to develop a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding that they will take with them into their future lives and careers.   

 

Intent | What and why do we teach what we teach? 

At Mayflower Academy we use Kapow Primary’s Computing Scheme which aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupil's appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to: create, manage, organise and collaborate. Experimenting with software and programs forms a part of the ethos of the scheme as we want to develop pupils' confidence when encountering new technology  which is a vital skill in the ever evolving and changing landscape of technology. Through our curriculum, we intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent and have a range of transferable skills at a suitable level for the future workplace, but also to be responsible online citizens.  

Our scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of Key Stage Attainment targets outlined in the National Curriculum and the aims align with those in the National Curriculum This guidance was created to help equip children for life in the digital world, including developing their understanding of appropriate online behaviour, copyright issues, being discerning consumers of online information and healthy use of technology. 

 

Implementation | How and when do we teach what we teach? 

The National curriculum purpose of study states: 

'The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils 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, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems, and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate - able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology - at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world’. 

Therefore, at Mayflower, along with Kapow Primary Scheme, we have designed the learning into three strands which run throughout: 

• Computer science 

• Information technology  

• Digital literacy 

   Within these key drivers, we have devised some key concepts that all learning can be ‘stuck to’. These are: 

• Hardware 

• Networks and Data Representations 

• Computational thinking 

• Programming 

• Using software 

• Using email and the internet 

• Using data 

• Wider use of technology 

• E-Safety 

• Wellbeing  

Our Computing curriculum is organised so that children will revisit learning in a cyclical route through which pupils can develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning.  

The implementation of our computing curriculum along with the Kapow Primary Computing ensures a broad and balanced coverage of the National curriculum requirements and our ‘Skills Showcase' units 

provide pupils with the opportunity to learn and apply transferable skills. Where meaningful, units have been created to link to other subjects such as science, art, and music to enable the development of further transferable skills and genuine cross-curricular learning. 

Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work as well as unplugged and digital activities. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles. Differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils' learning are available when 

required. Knowledge organisers for each unit support pupils in building a foundation of factual knowledge by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary. 

Strong subject knowledge is vital for staff to be able to deliver a highly effective and robust computing curriculum. Each of the units of lessons include teacher videos to develop subject knowledge and support ongoing CPD. Further CPD opportunities can also be found via Kapow’s webinars with their Computing subject specialists. Mayflower Academy has found that many teachers do not feel confident delivering the computing curriculum and every effort has been made to ensure that they feel supported to deliver lessons of a high standard that ensure pupil progression, therefore, Kapow has been used to support the teaching of computing.  

At Mayflower Academy, we ensure that online safety is paramount. We start every new term looking at the Digital literacy strand of learning to reintroduce the importance of online safety. This is then revisited throughout the year so children can retrieve the key facts within online safety. 

At Mayflower Academy, we undertake Online Safety Day every year. This includes a relevant assembly, in-class activities and activities which can be done at home to aid online safety with parents and children. 

Computing is timetabled throughout the school in Key Stage groups. Year 5/6 share a bank of laptops, as do years 3/4. Year 1 and 2 both a bank of laptops that can be booked out via a sign-up sheet. 

Teachers will have use of classroom iPads and Microsoft surface to share information, show great pieces of learning on the teacher’s screen and to show videos or additional support/deepen thinking to those who require it. 

 

Impact | How do we assess the impact of what we teach via pupil outcomes? 

The impact Mayflowers’ computing curriculum, along with Kapow Primary's scheme, can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives and each unit has a unit quiz and knowledge catcher which can be used at the start and/ or end of the unit. 

After the implementation of Mayflowers’ computing curriculum, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in the ever-increasing digital world. The expected impact of following our Computing curriculum is that children will: 

• Be critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future. 

• Understand the importance that computing will have going forward in both their educational and working life and in their social and personal futures. 

• Understand how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner. 

• Understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity. They will know that different types of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims. 

• Show a clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National curriculum - computer science, information technology and digital literacy. 

• Be able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team. 

• Be aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible and appropriate manner. 

• Have an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another.