Computing Intent, Implementation and Impact
"I am not in competition with anyone but myself. My goal is to improve myself continuously."
Bill Gates.
Intent
Technology is an integral part of everyday life. At Lawn Primary School, we prepare our children for a future in an environment which is shaped by technology. We aim to develop confident, independent learners who plan, design, create, program and evaluate information through the use of ICT.
As well as the benefits of ICT we are also aware of the risks, therefore we prepare our children to stay safe online through a robust Online Safety Curriculum, as well as promoting Online Safety through the annual Safer Internet Day. At Lawn Primary we acknowledge that computing and e-learning makes a massive contribution to all aspects of school life, for children, staff, governors, parents and the wider community, in this ever-changing technological world.
We recognise that children are living within an increasingly technological world and aim to develop confidence and knowledge in this area. As children leave primary school, we aim for children to transfer this knowledge and have confidence to implement these skills in everyday situations.
Every class has access to a range of IT equipment including Chromebooks, iPads and VR headsets. We encourage staff to incorporate technology throughout the wider curriculum and use these skills to research and present writing in a variety of ways. Each class has access to an Interactive Whiteboard, and teaching is delivered using this technology. Skills are covered through our curriculum which ensures that children are taught the appropriate skills to support their development. Children use a range of technology to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly and creatively. They learn how to employ computing to enable rapid access to ideas, information and experiences from a range of sources, people, communities and cultures.
Increased capability in the use of computing promotes initiative and independent learning, with children being able to make informed judgements about when and where to use computing to best effect, and to consider its implications for home and work both now and in the future.
Implementation
At Lawn Primary School we work from the Kapow Curriculum. The clear sequencing of the learning in Kapow and the research-based topic make it perfect for the children we teach. It give the children a chance to build skills using a range of technology they might not have access to and sets aspirational goals for the future. There are structured units spread across the curriculum the ensure full coverage. There is a balance between units that focus around programming, computer systems and networks, data handling and online safety. Throughout the year, there will be a cycle of these topics covering the various skills needed to achieved the desired outcome. Towards the end of the year there will be a skills showcase topic which will, as the name suggests, allow them to combine a collection of skills and present work in a variety of platforms that they might feel comfortable with.
Chromebooks are available and used to support children in their everyday learning. This might be just children with some level of SEN or disability, however it might also be a wider group of the class who will benefit from having this resource at their disposal. A view into what future jobs would like, and many current ones, that use computers to support progress at all stages.
Working with Kapow for the curriculum is now in its second year and we have already been able to act upon certain feedback from a few of the staff members and the children with changes to the curriculum in Year 2. We now create their programming pieces on MakeCode to reflect the progression we will see in the coming years from this to the Micro:Bits and then onto Python. Second to this, we were able to update one of the newer units on offer from Kapow to reflect the changing world. Therefore, in Year 6 we are delivering a topic around AI later this year that should start to expose the children safely to the fast-paced world of AI.
Impact
The monitoring of computing is done in conjunction with the Class Teacher, pupil and Subject Lead. We use a selection of strategies that allow us to triangulate our information to ensure it is robust as possible.
The Class Teacher will continually assess the children through formative assessment strategies in class and summative assessments of the work created. The pupil will be able to share their level of their own understanding through termly Pupil Voice sessions.
At Lawn Primary, they will be given the opportunity to retrieve the information taught to them previously and discuss appropriately. They might be asked further questions to explain their knowledge on a given topic or how to further their knowledge on something. This is a process that has had a range of results in the past so we now also use other quiz-based programs to support the children in remembering key bits of vocabulary that would come again. The Subject Lead will meet with the teachers to discuss the progress of the children, hold the pupil voice sessions and observe lessons formally and through Learning Walks when appropriate.
Following monitoring session through pupil voice, pupils’ retrieval ability of key Learning Objectives and skills were not as accurate as we might have expected. Therefore, we will be a move this year to adopt an online quiz profile to begin some of the sessions, along with a greater focus on 3,2,1 tasks, Agree or Disagree statements, Anagrams and Show me 5 tasks – all lead from suggestions by Kapow.
As a school we have recently started to use WOW work. This is a way for Class Teachers to suggest higher levels of work that will then be recorded on Class Pages at the end of each term. It celebrates aspiration goals while allowing subject leads to see what some of the highest quality work is looking like in a year group.
Computing skills are taught and practiced within discrete sessions so that they can be applied across the curriculum to enhance other subjects. Alongside the computing curriculum, aspects of Online Safety through our PSHE, Online Safety and RSE curriculum are taught
This is an ongoing process that will be reflective of the findings of the Subject Lead. Remaining flexible allows us the development of a robust curriculum that is appropriate for the children at Lawn Primary and progressive enough for the 21st century.
