​Intent

At Trumps Green Infant School, we believe that computing is an essential part of preparing children to understand, use and participate safely in an increasingly digital world. We want every child to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to use technology purposefully, think computationally, create digital content, solve problems and make safe and responsible choices when using technology.

It is our intention that every pupil, regardless of starting point or individual need, develops the knowledge, skills and confidence to engage successfully with computing. We have high expectations for all children, including those who are disadvantaged, have SEND, are known or have previously been known to children’s social care, or who face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing. Our computing curriculum is designed so that all pupils can access the same ambitious curriculum, with appropriate adaptations, support and opportunities to revisit and secure important knowledge and skills. We recognise that children may have different levels of experience with technology outside school, and we provide the teaching, resources and support necessary to ensure that all pupils develop the foundations they need.

What we intend pupils to know and do

We intend that pupils develop a secure and increasingly connected understanding of computing through three complementary areas: computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

Through computer science, pupils will develop an understanding of how instructions and algorithms can be used to make things happen. They will learn to create, follow and describe precise sequences of instructions, recognise that programs are made up of instructions, predict what a program will do, identify errors and make changes to improve their programs. Through increasingly purposeful programming experiences, pupils will develop the foundations of computational thinking, including sequencing, logical thinking, problem-solving and debugging.

Through information technology, pupils will learn to use digital devices and applications purposefully to create, manipulate, store, retrieve and communicate information. They will develop increasing confidence in using a range of digital tools to create text, images, photographs, audio and other digital content, selecting appropriate tools for different purposes.

Through digital literacy, pupils will learn to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. They will understand that not everything they see or hear online is necessarily reliable or appropriate, learn to keep personal information private, recognise situations that may make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, and know how and when to seek help from a trusted adult.

Our curriculum deliberately develops the relationship between these three areas. Pupils learn how digital technology works and how to give instructions, how to use technology as a tool to create and communicate, and how to make safe, responsible and informed choices when using it. Together, these experiences enable children to become increasingly confident, capable and thoughtful users and creators of technology.

How computing develops from Reception to Year 2

Our computing curriculum is carefully sequenced from Reception to Year 2, with knowledge, vocabulary and skills systematically introduced, practised, revisited and developed over time. As Year 1 and Year 2 pupils learn together in mixed-age classes, the curriculum is designed so that pupils revisit key computing concepts and skills while increasing the complexity, independence and purpose of their application.

In Reception, pupils develop the foundations for computing through their experiences of technology within Understanding the World. They explore a range of digital and electronic devices, begin to understand that technology can be used for different purposes and develop early skills such as taking photographs, recording information and using simple programmable devices. Through practical experiences, they begin to follow and give instructions, recognise sequences and develop early problem-solving skills. They also begin to learn simple rules for using technology safely and responsibly.

Across Years 1 and 2, pupils build on these foundations through increasingly purposeful experiences of computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

Pupils develop their understanding of algorithms and programming by creating and following sequences of instructions, using programmable devices and simple coding environments. They learn to predict outcomes, identify when instructions have not produced the intended result and make changes to correct errors. As their experience develops, they increasingly use logical thinking to solve problems and create simple programs.

Pupils develop their digital creation and information technology skills by using a range of devices and applications to create, edit, store, retrieve and communicate information. They develop increasing independence when using keyboards, touchscreens, cameras and other digital tools, and learn to select appropriate tools for different purposes.

Pupils also revisit and deepen their understanding of online safety and responsible digital behaviour. They learn to protect personal information, communicate respectfully, recognise that some online content or communication may be unreliable or inappropriate, and understand what to do if something makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe.

Within the mixed-age curriculum, pupils revisit key knowledge and skills at increasing levels of depth and independence. Younger pupils are supported to establish the essential foundations, while older or more experienced pupils are expected to apply their knowledge more independently, combine skills, solve more complex problems and explain their choices.

Computing across the curriculum and wider life

We intend that pupils understand that computing is both a subject in its own right and a powerful tool for learning, creating and communicating across the curriculum.

Pupils apply their computing knowledge in meaningful contexts across subjects, using digital tools to support learning in areas such as English, mathematics, science, geography, art and design and technology. Through these opportunities, pupils learn that technology can be selected and used for different purposes rather than simply being something to consume.

We want pupils to develop the confidence to create as well as use digital technology. They will increasingly understand that they can use technology to communicate ideas, represent information, solve problems and produce content for different audiences.

We also recognise that children's experiences of technology extend beyond school. Our curriculum therefore supports pupils to develop the knowledge and habits needed to participate safely and responsibly in digital environments, including knowing when to stop, when to question what they encounter and when to seek help from a trusted adult.

Intended end points

By the time children leave Trumps Green Infant School, we intend that pupils will have developed the foundational computing knowledge, vocabulary and practical skills necessary for the next stage of their education.

They will be increasingly confident and responsible digital learners who can:

· understand that an algorithm is a sequence of instructions and give, follow and describe clear instructions to achieve a purpose;

· create simple sequences of instructions for programmable devices and simple programs;

· use logical reasoning to predict what a simple program or sequence of instructions will do;

· recognise when a sequence or program does not produce the intended outcome and make changes to debug it;

· use appropriate computing vocabulary to talk about algorithms, programs, instructions, devices and digital processes;

· recognise and use a range of common digital devices and understand some of the ways technology is used in school, at home and in the wider world;

· use basic keyboard, mouse, touchscreen and other device skills with increasing confidence and independence;

· use digital tools to create, edit and present digital content, including text, images, photographs and sound;

· use technology purposefully to create, organise, store and retrieve digital content;

· collect, sort and organise information and represent simple data in appropriate ways, including through pictograms;

· use technology to explore and communicate ideas across different areas of the curriculum;

· understand that technology should be used safely, respectfully and responsibly;

· understand the importance of keeping personal information private and know that they should seek help from a trusted adult if something online makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe;

· recognise some common uses of information technology and explain simple ways in which technology can help people; and

· approach technology with curiosity and confidence, using it not only to consume information but also to create, communicate, solve problems and find things out.

Our computing curriculum is therefore designed to ensure that all children make progress from their individual starting points, secure the essential foundations of computer science, information technology, data and digital literacy, and develop the practical skills and safe, responsible behaviours needed to participate successfully in an increasingly digital world.

Implementation

Our computing curriculum recognises that ICT is able to be taught both as a discrete subject as well as being woven through the curriculum. Many of the skills are transferrable which provides a wealth of learning opportunities across subjects including art, D&T, maths, geography, science, and literacy.

Our teaching implements the computing National Curriculum which is comprised of 3 main parts; Digital Literacy, Information Technology and Computer Science. Knowledge and skills are taught progressively, allowing the children to embed their learning over time.

Computer Science teaches the principles of information and computation. It involves creating and debugging simple programs using algorithms. At Trumps Green Infant School we introduce the language of Computer Science in different contexts. We begin with using precise verbal instructions (algorithms) to get a friend to a certain point across the room or explain how to make a sandwich. We then move on to using the Beebots and then creating their own game using coding. The children will need to ‘fix’ their games and Beebot programmes as they go wrong, ‘debugging’ their own algorithms.

Digital Literacy involves using technology purposefully as a tool for learning. Our children learn to use the internet to search for information, use the keyboard to type text, make modifications to their work including changing the font size and colour, and to save and retrieve their work. The children use iPads to take their own photos and videos and learn to manipulate these images.

Our children have access to a bank of chrome books to support their learning. We have interactive whiteboards in every classroom and these are used daily to further enable and enhance learning.

In the Foundation Stage, Computing is taught through the Early Years Curriculum as part of ‘Understanding the World’. The children have access to PCs, take photographs on the iPads and experiment with Beebots to begin their learning journey with Computer Science.

We teach e-safety as an explicit part of our Computing curriculum reinforce as well as throughout the year alongside PSHE and in our Safeguarding assembly . We discuss issues such as; keeping personal information private, trusting people and sources online, treating others online as we would in real life, posting images online, and what to do if anything makes children feel uncomfortable online.

Impact

• Teaching and learning is evaluated by learning walks, drop ins and pupil interviews.
•  It is our aim that all children will achieve age related expectations in Computing. We intend to embed key concepts in the children’s long term memory and apply them across the curriculum.
• After the implementation of this robust computing curriculum, children at Trumps Green Infant School will be digitally literate and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform. They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively, but more importantly – safely. The biggest impact on our children is that they understand the consequences of using the internet and that they are also aware of how to keep themselves safe online.