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At Sandhurst Primary School we ensure that our children become digitally literate and are able to develop their ideas in a way that will enable them to become successful digital citizens in primary school, secondary school and in the future workplace. We encourage children to challenge themselves to master computing concepts so that they can develop their cultural capital for the future workplace.

Our progressive Computing curriculum is taught from EYFS through to year 6, where skills are developed and built upon each year. Computing is embedded throughout all areas of the curriculum ensuring that children gain appropriate knowledge and skills in each key stage.

The Computing curriculum is divided into three strands: Computer Science, Information technology and Digital Literacy/ e-safety. Together, these strands enable our children to learn about computers and computer systems; how to design, build and analyse
programs; and how to find, store and manage digital information safely and securely.

Our Computing curriculum follows the Purple Mash scheme of work and is closely aligned with the National curriculum for Computing and aims to ensure all pupils:

  • challenge themselves to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science)
  • can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical
    experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
    (Computer science)
  • can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology
  • are responsible, competent, confident, kind, and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy)

 

At Sandhurst we have a robust and progressive Computing Curriculum and framework that provides many opportunities for children to explore the three strands of Computing: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. We use a range of digital devices, physical computing devises, extra-curricular activities and educational visits to inspire and motivate and ensure enjoyment. Teachers ensure that cross curricular links are embedded into other curriculum areas so that children can apply their learning to other subjects.

As a school, we have follow the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work from Reception to Year 6. The scheme of work supports our teachers in delivering fun and engaging lessons which help to raise standards and allow all pupils to achieve to their full potential. We are confident that the scheme of work more than adequately meets the national vision for Computing. It provides immense flexibility, strong cross-curricular links and integrates perfectly with the 2Simple Computing Assessment Tool. Furthermore, it gives excellent supporting material for less confident teachers.

Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work (Most units will include aspects of all strands)
Computer Science Information Technology Digital Literacy

The topics covered each year are detailed below.

Year 1
Unit 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9
Online Safety & Exploring Purple Mash Grouping and Sorting Pictograms Lego Builders Maze Explorers Animated Story Books Coding Spreadsheets Technology Outside School
No of lessons 4 2 3 3 3 5 6 3 2
Main Tool 2Count 2Go 2Create A Story 2Code 2Calculate

Year 2
Unit 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8
Coding Online Safety Spreadsheets Questioning Effective Searching Creating Pictures Making Music Presenting Ideas
No of lessons 6 3 4 5 3 5 3 4
Main Tool 2Code 2Calculate 2Question / 2Investigate 2Paint A Picture 2Sequence

Year 3
Unit 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9
Coding Online Safety Spreadsheets Touch Typing Email (inc safety) Branching Databases Simulations Graphing Presenting
No of Lessons 6 3 3 4 6 4 3 2 5/6
Main Tool 2Code 2Calculate 2Type 2Email 2Question 2Simulate 2Graph Powerpoint or Google Slides

Year 4
Unit 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9
Coding Online Safety Spreadsheets Wring for Different Audiences Logo Animation Effective Searching Hardware Investigators Making Music
No of Lessons 6 4 6 5 4 3 3 2 4
Main Tool 2Code 2Calculate 2Logo 2Animate Busy Beats

Year 5
Unit 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9
Coding Online Safety Spreadsheets Databases Game Creator 3D Modelling Concept Maps Word Processing External Devices
No of Lessons 6 3 6 4 5 4 4 8 6
Main Tool 2Code 2Calculate 2Investigate 2DIY 3D 2Design and Make 2Connect MS Word or Google Docs 2Code Purple Chip

Year 6
Unit 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9
Coding Online Safety Spreadsheets Blogging Text Adventures Networks Quizzing Understanding Binary Spreadsheets
No of Lessons 6 2 5 4 5 3 6 4 8
Main Tool 2Code 2Calculate 2Blog 2Quiz Excel or Google Sheets

Our lessons are sequenced and all maintain the following structure from Year 1 – 6:

  • Introduction, revisiting previous learning;
  • lessons aims and new vocabulary;
  • modelling of a task;
  • pupil task initially scaffolded and then independent;
  • evaluation, including recap of vocabulary learnt and make links with other learning experiences.

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 aim high to 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 including their online work folder evidence 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.

We want our pupils to become digitally literate and as a result remind them, if they continue to aim high, they could become programmer, web developer, games creator, researcher or a designer.

All classes have access to the shared set of 32 laptops which are timetabled and can be booked as and when required by each class. We also have a trolley of tablets which are predominantly used by lower KS1 and EYFS. In every class we have an IPAD and a set of four class tablets. There is also a set of IPAD Mini’s available for any class to use, and there are two school digital cameras.

Every class has a teacher laptop linked to a large interactive touchscreen display. These are connected to the school computer network and can show films and photos as well as connect to the Internet. They are also connected to visualisers, which are a type of document camera and we are able to show pupils work and books we are sharing onto the large interactive screen. Teachers and pupils can interact with the display screens by touch and therefore do not have to use the laptop keyboard or mouse to participate in activities.

Every device in school has secure and filtered access to the internet which is a fantastic tool to access resources from around the world.

In KS1 we have stereos for pupils to listen to music and audio stories via headphones. We also have a class set of Bee Bot’s (robots) to support pupils learning basic programming skills.
Recordable microphones and sound buttons are also readily accessible to pupils to support learning in all areas of the curriculum.

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Our Agreed consistencies for computing: If you were to walk into a Computing lesson at Sandhurst you would see: In our Computing curriculum you will see that we value inclusion and diversity:
  • Knowledge organisers in every class to show current learning and vocabulary on display.
  • Internet safety posters in every classroom.
  • Examples of work on display that is from the current unit of work. (Varied ability)
  • Laptops and tablets will be used to access online learning tools.
  • Pupils work to be named and saved in class folders- folders to be grouped in teaching units.
  • All pupils can access their own laptop/device and log on.
  • An introduction to the lesson with the learning target and success criteria being shared.
  • A recap of previous learning and vocabulary.
  • Resources prepared and shared out to pupils if appropriate.
  • Pupils listen to a teacher input to introduce the learning, modelling from the teacher and step by step instructions.
  • Pupils access suitable software enabling them to complete a task with teacher support.
  • Pupils complete a challenge extension when they finish a task.
  • At the end of the lesson pupils save and hand in their work electronically. All work is saved in the class folders on Purple Mash.
  • Pupils are all able to shut down the laptops/ devices safely.
  • Our computing curriculum can be accessed by anyone regardless of background or ability.
  • Provision is made for children requiring additional support.
  • All children, regardless of views and ability are encouraged to take part.
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