Computing
The Lime Computing Curriculum is the stepping-stone to the job or career for our learners that may not currently exist. It is our intention that pupils will develop computational understanding and creativity. The subject of Computing will be taught explicitly, being built on year-on-year. As a Trust, Kapow is used to deliver Computing lessons of the highest quality, providing step by step instructional videos to support the delivery and enhance the skills of the learners. We aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever-changing digital world, while learning the importance of how to stay safe online. As the curriculum builds year on year, 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.
The Kapow Primary scheme of work is designed with three strands which run throughout:
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Digital literacy
The Kapow Primary scheme is organised into five key areas, creating a cyclical route through which pupils can develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning:
- Computer systems and networks
- Programming
- Creating media
- Data handling
- Online safety
Computing and technology are threaded throughout the Lime Trust Early Years curriculum with the firm aim of ensuring that learners enter Year One with a strong foundation of knowledge and skill. The curriculum is linked to developing early listening skills, ability to follow instructions and logically problem-solve. The integration of technology in learner's home lives should be enhanced by their understanding of how we use technology in school to access and enable learning. E-safety skills supplements learner's understanding of how to navigate the ever-changing world of technology and links with their personal safety skills in the wider development of the child. Exploration and play with technology means that learners develop a deep familiarity with equipment and vocabulary in order to have a strong start in Key Stage One Computing.
In Key stage 1, children develop their knowledge and skills building on their experiences in EYFS, learning the how to login and navigate their way around a computer, developing their mouse skills. They will also develop early programming skills and learn what data is and the different ways it can be represented. Children will learn exactly what a computer is and how inputs and outputs work. In year 2, pupils will use Scratch Jr to develop their programming skills.
In Lower Key stage 2, children continue to build on the skills previously taught. They will be introduced to the concept of networks, learning how devices communicate. Children will build on their Scratch Jr work in Key Stage 1 by using the more advanced computer-based application called Scratch learning to use repetition or ‘loops’ in year 3 and progressing to using variables in coding in year 4. Children will also develop their research, word processing, and collaborative working skills whilst learning how web pages and web sites are created.
In Upper Key Stage 2, children develop the complexity of the skills taught previously, applying programming skills to create sounds and melodies. They will learn about the meaning and purpose of programming through the Micro:bit unit. This will progress to using the programming language of Python when they get to year 6. Pupils will also learn about Barcodes, QR codes and RFID in the Data unit.
Online safety will be taught discretely in each year group and also thread throughout units, enabling children to learn how to navigate the internet in an informed, safe and respectful way.
The expected impact of following the Kapow Primary Computing scheme of work is that children will:
- Be critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future.
- Understand the importance that computing will have going forward in both their educational and working life and in their social and personal futures.
- Understand how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner.
- Understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity. They will know that different types of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims.
- Show a clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National curriculum - computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
- Be able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team.
- Be aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible and appropriate manner.
- Have an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another.
- Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Computing.
Retrieval is a vital component of the curriculum sequencing. Prior learning is drawn upon, wherever the content is taught.
The Lime Computing Curriculum, enhanced by Kapow, ensures specific and associated subject vocabulary is planned sequentially and cumulatively from Year 1 to 6. High frequency, multiple meaning words (Tier 2) are explicitly taught alongside and help make sense of subject specific words (Tier 3).
The learning modules for each year group are enhanced and supported by detailed Knowledge Organisers. Quizzes for each module, along with Knowledge Catchers, provide vital opportunities for retrieval and assessment.