Computing Curriculum Statement

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. We want pupils at Mount Stewart to see the value of excellent computing knowledge and skills.  We want pupils to recognise the links between what we teach and its application in the real world and the endless possibilities computing can offer.

Intent:

A high-quality computing curriculum equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Children are taught the principles of information; how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Our computing curriculum has natural links with Mathematics in terms of systematic thinking and logical processes, but many other links exist.  This can be in computer-aided design in Design and Technology, research in History, data collection in Geography and Science or digital presentation to aid Speaking and Listening.

Implementation:

Mount Stewart teaches the national curriculum, which can be seen in the documents below.  To support our teaching, we use many units from the Discovery Education scheme of work but adapt them for our pupils' needs and create some of our own bespoke units.  We take a no ceiling approach and adaptive planning through open-ended tasks, pupils with SEND and the most able can achieve well.  Our curriculum puts the core of computing, 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, at the forefront. 

All pupils (including those in Reception - by the Summer Term) visit our computer suite a least once a week and have access to iPads to support their learning throughout the year.  Vocabulary is always a focus, and from Reception, pupils begin to use programmable toys such as Bee-Bots.  As early as Year 2, pupils are starting to use basic code in programmes.  By the end of the primary phase, Year 6 pupils create their own applications from the beginning of the process to the end.

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. For example, all year groups are taught to touch type through online Dance Mat Touch Type games.

Impact

We see the impact of our curriculum on the outcomes of every lesson.  We know children learn more and remember more as they progress through school as the curriculum revisits vital knowledge and skills.  This can be through their basic mouse and keyboard skills to more specific areas such as their knowledge of algorithms within programmes.  Our use of assessment for learning lets us adapt lessons and units to the needs of each new cohort and our ongoing assessment help us gauge understanding of more specific knowledge as pupils move through school. 

Discovery Education

Teachers are supported in their teaching of the computing curriculum with units from Discovery Educaiton which encompasses the programmes of study set out in the national curriculum.  The scheme sets out a different unit of work for each half term and pupils spend at least an hour a week developing their skills.  KS1 and KS2 have access to Discovery Education Coding. Using this resource children learn a range of coding programmes.

EducationCity

All pupils at Mount Stewart have access to EducationCity. EducationCity is a school learning platform.  Teachers can use EducationCity to support both class and home learning and assign work to children in both ways.

Resources

The Federation continues to invest in high quality, up to date ICT resources throughout the schools.  All classrooms are being fitted with interactive Promethean boards as part of our infrastructure upgrade. We have 30 PCs in the IT suite and 60 Ipads shared across the schools.  Some of our pupils come to Mount Stewart already tablet and touch screen literate but often lack the skills required to use a desktop PC.  Starting with early mouse control and keyboard skills, pupils receive an excellent computing education here through the basic skills teaching unit in Year 1,  right through to programming and developing their own coding programme.

Digital leaders

Across the schools, pupils have the opportunity to become digital leaders.  These are our computing experts and have a wide range of responsibilities across the schools, including supporting younger children, taking charge of social media forums and blogs, creating content for the website and leading on Online Safety issues.

Online Safety

Pupils at Mount Stewart are acutely aware of the dangers presented by the online world and are regularly taught how to keep themselves safe.  We have a protective firewall system across both schools, enabling us to manage resources for children to learn when incidents occur carefully.

To find out more about Online Safety, please visit our website page below.