Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement: Computing 

Intent

At William Bellamy Primary, we aim to prepare our pupils for their futures by teaching them key skills that will prepare them for an ever changing digital world. Through Digital Literacy, Computer Science, IT and Online Safety. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during children’s time in school to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed. Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school.

Teachers utilise the 'Kapow' learning scheme as a foundation for their lesson planning. Aligned with our school's objectives, Kapow Primary's computing program empowers children to create, manage, organise, and collaborate. The scheme's ethos emphasizes 'tinkering' with software and programs, fostering pupils' confidence in navigating new technologies—a crucial skill in the dynamic tech landscape. The curriculum aims to equip students not only with digital proficiency and transferable skills for the future workplace but also to instil a sense of responsibility as online citizens.

The scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of Key Stage Attainment targets, which are outlined in the National curriculum, we are currently using this scheme in PSHE, therefore our computing scheme satisfies all the objectives of the DfE’s ‘Education for a Connected World framework.’

The school’s overarching intent based in nurture and diversity, this is embedded into the curriculum to ensure that the curriculum is reflective of our school community and all teaching is delivered using a nurturing approach.

Implementation

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 for all children. The aim is for pupils to be able to apply their skills across a range of mediums, safely, and not be restricted to one type of software or device. Computing is taught both in timetabled weekly blocks, as well as being embedded across the curriculum. This ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics. Teachers use Kapow as a starting point for their lessons, which have a logical path of progression throughout the school. Key concepts are revisited at the beginning of each lesson, but also throughout the learning. A use of a variety of software ensures that children are not just learning how to work on one tool, but having to apply these skills and use computational thinking across the curriculum.

The Kapow scheme of learning is designed with three pillars which run throughout: computer science, information technology and digital literacy. Kapow takes these three pillars unfolds across five essential domains, establishing a cyclical pathway that enables pupils to enhance their computing knowledge and skills. This process involves revisiting and expanding upon prior learning.  The five key areas are:

• Computer systems and networks
• Programming
• Creating media
• Data handling
• Online safety

All units incorporate a range of teaching strategies such as: independent tasks, paired and group learning as well as unplugged and digital activities. This variety ensures that all pupils with different learning styles are able to engage with the lessons. Lessons are appropriately pitched, providing challenges and scaffolds for pupils, who require additional support.

Impact

To assess pupils knowledge and understanding teachers use formative assessment throughout each unit to track pupils against the key learning outcomes. The teacher judgments are recorded using the schools Integris mark books. Pupil engagement is not only fulfilled by a varied curriculum, but also access to numerous resources to teach Computing. The children are able to use Bee-Bots, iPads, laptops, Chromebooks, data loggers etc in order to experience learning across a variety of platforms in a number of different subject areas.

The implementation of this curriculum ensures that when children leave William Bellamy Primary school:

• They are competent and safe users of ICT with an understanding of how technology works.
• They will have developed skills to express themselves and be creative in using digital media and be equipped to apply their skills in Computing to different challenges going forward.
• They are critical thinkers that have the ability to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future.
• They are able to establish a healthy balance of time spent on, and time spent away from technology.
• They are able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team.
• They meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for computing.

Our E-Safety Curriculum 

At William Bellamy we understand that the internet is an ever changing and evolving world and it is our duty to ensure that our pupils have the knowledge and skills to remain safe when being online. To this end, we have incorporated e-safety into our curriculum through our Computing and Nurture sessions. We teach a specific e-safety lessons half termly as well as during our weekly computing lessons to ensure that our pupils have the opportunities to practice e-safety skills in a safe space.  

Our nurture sessions also include e-safety elements. Pupils learn how their actions on the internet can impact their mood, thoughts and feelings. We pupils advice on how we should protect ourselves from others who are unkind on the internet.  

Finally, at William Bellamy we have an annual e-safety day. We do this to ensure that we continue to raise the profile of e-safety. We use this as an opportunity for pupils to reflect on their usage of the internet so that they make choices that improves their well-being.