Intent

At Co-op Academy Nightingale we are covering the full National Curriculum in Computing. We aim to prepare our pupils for the rapidly changing world through the use of technology. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in student’s lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We aim to prepare pupils with the ability to use technology confidently so that they are able to participate in the digital world around them. As a school with over 60% of pupils with English as an additional language, we understand the immense value technology plays not only in supporting the Computing curriculum and whole school curriculum but overall in their day-to-day lives.

At the core of our computing curriculum, we focus on three key principles: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. 

This is delivered through the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work from Reception to Year 6. This 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. It provides teachers with a strong tool for them to plan, adapt and support our pupils in their computing lessons. Teachers are able to use this scheme to support pupil’s conceptual understanding of new concepts, provide access to rich content and support the needs of all our pupils.

The computing curriculum is successfully adapted to meet the needs of all children by ensuring practical, immersive and hands-on teaching that promotes independence and fluency. 

At Co-op Academy Nightingale, our computing curriculum focuses on three main computing concepts that progress year after year:

• Computer Science – all pupils will understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. They will be able to analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problem.
• Information Technology – all children will know how to use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.
• Digital Literacy – all children will be able to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. They will be able to recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour, know how to report inappropriate content and will have a thorough understanding of how important it is to keep personal information private by the end of KS2.

By the end of KS2, pupils will be computer literate with a strong understanding of these computing concepts.
 

Implementation

The content and principles of the Early Years Foundation Framework and the 2014 National Curriculum underpin the teaching and learning in computing at Co-op Academy Nightingale. Computing is planned, taught and assessed using the online scheme of work, resources and assessment tool from Purple Mash. These creative and exciting lessons are carefully timetabled so that each class has access to at least an hour a week using Ipads. Whilst we use the units provided in this scheme of work, teachers have changed their medium term plan so that strong curriculum links can be made with subjects such as Music, Art and Science.

In Reception, the computing lessons focus on bringing technology into all areas of learning and development from Development Matters. 

The children in Reception will develop their understanding and use of technology by utilising the range of apps on Purple Mash to promote the 3 prime areas, such as using 2paint and games in Simple City and then sharing this work with others. This will encourage key skills for moving and handling, self-confidence, being imaginative and listening and attention. Pupils will also use phonics games, Maths City, Simple City and 2Paint to enhance their learning of the 4 specific areas.

From Year 1 to Year 6, pupils will progress in their skills of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. In Key Stage 1, pupils will become more familiar and confident with using Purple Mash independently. Pupils will have acquired a basic understanding of algorithms and how they can use this understanding to create and debug simple programs. Pupils will feel confident using range of programs on Purple Mash to create graphs, databases, spreadsheets, quizzes and music, showing an understanding of why we would use that program for a specific task. Most importantly, pupils will be provided with the knowledge on how to use technology safely and respectfully. 

In Key Stage 2, the pupils will build on their previous knowledge and skills by using Purple Mash independently. Pupils will further their understanding of computer science by designing and writing programs to accomplish specific goals. They will use logical reasoning to detect and correct errors in their own algorithms. Pupils will be able to use search technologies effectively and will be able select, use and combine a variety of software building on those skills from Key Stage 1. All pupils will leave school with a high level of respect and responsibility for the use of technology with an awareness of ways to report inappropriate content and behaviour.

At Co-op Academy Nightingale, we understand and recognise that online safety is an integral part of computing. Pupils must be educated on the safe use of technology so that pupils know how to use technology safely and responsibly. Each year group covers a unit of online safety through the Purple Mash scheme as well as covering it within PSHE lessons.

Impact

At Co-op Academy Nightingale we aim to deliver fun, engaging and challenging Computing lessons taught by confident, knowledge rich staff to equip our children to be proficient users of technology both now and throughout their lives. 

By the end of KS2, children will be:

• Confident and competent users of technology
• Critical thinkers that can solve problems
• Responsible, respectful and safe users of data, information and communication technology
• Creative and imaginative using technology to present, record and share their work to a wider audience
• Aware of technological uses and developments in the wider world