At The Levett School we recognise that huge advancements in technology have been made in recent years, and now, more than ever pupils are surrounded by and often immersed in a technological world. We believe that technology will continue to evolve during the time our pupils are at school and we need to equip the pupils with the skills and knowledge they need to adapt and flourish with the ever-changing technological advancements. While developing their skills in computing we will also emphasize the importance of using technology safely, particularly in the online world. In all aspects of computing, we encourage pupils to be original and imaginative, fuelling their creativity using a range of equipment and programs to engage and inspire pupils. We will challenge pupils to deepen their knowledge and skillset further, as well as giving them an understanding of how the programs and technology they experience relate to their use in the wider world. We understand that learning about technology starts from birth, as it is such an integral part of the environment and world for all pupils. They are surrounded by technology, just as they are surrounded by language, print and numbers, in a variety of forms both inside and outside of their home. As well as computers and tablets pupils see machines that require programming all around them, from washing machines to supermarket tills. Technology is something pupils are going to grow up with, learn about and master, and use as a tool to increase their understanding in all areas of learning.
We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways and, now more so than ever, the collaboration through the use of technology has proved vital in many roles in society, when people have needed to adapt to new, remote ways of working together. This has highlighted the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils, both in terms of supporting their learning to achieve their very best, as well as being able to communicate with others to achieve things we never thought we would need technology to do, like learning at home. Our skills based curriculum is balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively, which will in turn help our pupils, become skilful computer scientists. We encourage staff to try to embed computing across the whole curriculum to engage learners, as well as recognising the wider uses of technology, beyond just the acquisition and application of skills.
Our hope is that pupils find enjoyment in their computing skills, that they recognise the application of these in different areas of their learning that they can be creative in the tools and programs they use, finding new and innovative ways to carry out tasks. By the time pupils are ready to leave us we want them to be fluent with a range of tools to best express themselves and their ideas. Above all, we want our pupils to leave The Levett School with the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil a task, to be open and adaptable to new and ever-changing technology and to embrace computing as a means to express themselves creatively, recognising the implications for technology beyond school.
We teach pupils according to the National Curriculum objectives which we support with the use of National Computing Association (NCA). We have a clear curriculum plan, which shows progression in knowledge, and skills right from our Key Stage 1 pupils all the way to Key Stage 3. We have identified the key vocabulary that pupils will be introduced to as they progress through the school, clearly highlighting prior learning, so that pupils can continue to recall and retain this as well as broadening their computing vocabulary, which hugely supports their understanding of the purpose and functionality of what they are doing in computing.
In our school, all classes are allocated 50 minutes per week in their timetable for the discreet teaching of computing knowledge and skills, as we believe that particularly the computer science part of the computing curriculum will often, but not always, need a more explicit approach. We use a scheme of work supported by NCA to help support the teaching of these key skills and knowledge, and embedded within this scheme is also valuable CPD support for teaching staff to enable them to deliver this to the best standard possible.
Whilst computing is taught discreetly, the use of technology to enhance and enrich other areas of the curriculum is strongly encouraged throughout the school. When planning their topics teachers look for opportunities to further develop the skills taught within a different curriculum context. We also believe that alongside the computing curriculum itself, all pupils should leave The Levett School with a good level of ‘basic skills’ as outlined in our progression document. These will prove vital for pupils as they continue their learning journey. We feel that using links to other subject areas, in particular English, can support the development of these basic skills as well as helping to instil in our pupils that computing is applied in many different areas of our learning.
We have an additional E-Safety curriculum, some of which is delivered within the computing units that we teach to the pupils. Our PSHE curriculum and Safeguarding Team also delivers additional sessions explicitly throughout the year to further reinforce this. This is because, at The Levett School, we believe it is essential that all pupils know how to behave safely and responsibly in an ever-growing online world.
The impact of the computing curriculum can be seen in the digital work pupils save as well as the assessment of pupil’s knowledge and skills during lessons, where notes are made and stored in class teacher’s assessment files to support their learning of outcomes. Through this, tracking misconceptions can be addressed as well as identifying those learners who can be challenged further, ensuring all pupils can achieve their computing potential. The assessments made are used to inform parents at Termly Tea evenings as well as in an annual report to parents.
At The Levett School, we encourage our pupils to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. 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.
