Intent

In a digital age, where technology continues to influence and transform our lives in previously unimaginable ways, educating children about the effective and responsible use of technology is becoming ever more important. At Fleet we provide a computing education that develops vital skills through the three elements of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). Through this, our aim is for our children to become autonomous users of computing technologies, able to make independent choices and reflecting on their impact whilst developing key skills of creativity, resilience, critical thinking and problem solving. Our creative curriculum ensures that all learners are given ample opportunities to embrace and develop creative and inspiring uses of technology in a cross curricular approach. Staff are encouraged to embed computing throughout their curriculum, providing achievable, yet ambitious opportunities that allow for increasing independence as skills develop. Our aim is for children to leave Fleet equipped with the skills and experience to understand themselves as individuals within their community but also as members of a wider global community and as responsible digital citizens.

Implementation

The learning at Fleet is shaped by our school vision of a creative, cross curricular curriculum. Computing is approached in this same way. Wherever possible, computing links are made through the termly learning theme to allow for a creative, engaging approach. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning opportunities for all our children. To ensure we cover a broad range of skills and understanding, the computing curriculum has been divided into five focus areas: Online Safety, Programming, Multimedia, Web Authors and Technology in our Lives. These cover the three strands of the computing curriculum (Information Technology, Computer Science and Digital Literacy) whilst enabling cross curricular links to be exploited wherever possible. The Fleet computing map supports teachers in planning effective and stimulating lessons in all focus areas. Children are given opportunities to develop their skills in each of these areas through each year group, either in cross curricular topic lessons, discrete skills based sessions or dedicated time at the CLC or with CLC staff in school. Staff use our comprehensive progression document to best embed and cover every element of the computing curriculum, with knowledge and skill statements building year on year to deepen and challenge our learners.

Impact

 At Fleet, we passionately believe that children learn best through a creative curriculum, enabling full engagement in their own learning with computing used as a way to enhance and develop their ideas as a fully integrated tool. This is evidenced by the annual Year 5 Fleet Beat magazine project, where children use a range of computing skills in varying tasks, culminating in a published magazine for the whole Fleet community. We encourage our children to be active participants and make independent choices in their approach to tasks. Our aim is for all our learners to think critically about their choices with technology, reflect on its impact and appreciate the effect it can have on their learning, development and well being. We encourage children to find a healthy balance in their use of technology that they can carry forwards into their next stage of learning and beyond. Progress of the computing curriculum is demonstrated through the outcomes of our learners and the termly record of skills coverage. We review pupil knowledge and skill development through regular observations of learning and through collecting examples of work using the school shared area and Seesaw.