Intent

At TPA,  we want pupils to be masters of technology and not slaves to it. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in students' lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our pupils to be creators not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice with using technology and as a school we utilise technology (especially social media) to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education. Building our knowledge in this subject will allow pupils to effectively demonstrate their learning through creative use of technology

We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils. Our knowledge rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful computer scientists.

We encourage staff to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of tools to best express their understanding and hope by Upper Key Stage 2, children have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set by teachers.

Implementation

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be – we are ambitious for all. 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.

To ensure a broad range of skills and understanding, Computing is taught across three main strands: digital literacy, computer science and information technology. As part of information technology, children learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through ICT for example writing and presenting as well as exploring art and design using multimedia. Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems for example understanding safe use of internet, networks and email. In computer science we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. Also to analyse problems to computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. We also teach a progression of Computing vocabulary to support children in their understanding.

At TPA, we give children access to a wide range of good quality resources and provide cross curricular opportunities for children to apply their Computing knowledge and skills. Online safety is taught within each Computing lesson as a short starter activity as well as being taught as a unit each year. Online safety procedures are communicated with all staff and parents.

In EYFS, computing learning begins in the Early Years at TPA. Though not explicitly mentioned in the EYFS curriculum, we ensure that all our learners develop a solid foundation by building on their curiosity. For example,  classrooms could contain a role play area with a range of technology, both functioning and model / broken devices, or a variety of electronic toys, such as remote controlled cars, walkie-talkies and interactive pets, as part of continuous provision. Further technology could be included in conjunction with other activities, such as digital cameras for pupils to photograph their own learning, although children should ideally be given the opportunity to select and use technology for a certain purpose, rather than simply being given a device. The pedagogical approaches used in this age group should also be carefully considered, which includes the need to tinker, or play, with a device, in order to discover how it functions. Across the curriculum, in both the inside and outside areas, children are also encouraged to utilise simple programming tools such as Bee Bots. This allows them to build on their communication and language. In Expressive Arts, children could use programmes such as 2Paint a Picture.

Impact

Providing our pupils with high quality computing is something we pride ourselves with here at Twickenham Primary Academy. As a result, we have seen high levels of engagement from the children and a large progression in their computing skills. Many children achieve the expected standard for computing.