Computing
At Kirkstall Valley, we intend for the computing curriculum to give our children key fundamental skills in the areas of ‘Information Technology’ and ‘Computer Science’. Confidence in these areas will equip the children with the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills they need to be creators rather than consumers in the digital world they are growing up in. The third strand of our curriculum is ‘Digital Literacy and Online Safety’. It is from this understanding that we aim for our children to be confident in navigating the online world safely and respectfully, being responsible and positive digital citizens in the future. Developing their computational thinking is a vital component in preparing our pupils to succeed in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Computing is taught in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two on a rolling cycle with another subject (i.e. Children study computing for half of the year). Computing lessons often take place in our fully equipped computing suite, though may also require children to use other technology, such as iPads and cameras, in other parts of the school, depending on the unit of work.
Please find here the primary national curriculum for Computing:.
At Kirkstall Valley, we use an adapted version of the Sheffield Scheme of work to meet the requirements of the national curriculum. We are fortunate to have experienced network technicians and computing specialists among our staff. As a result, a small number of staff teach computing.
Online safety is taught as integral part of each unit and internet safety day is marked each year. All links to e-safety on our plans are coloured red and must be taught as part of that unit. Staff respond to changes in trends or causes for concern in PSHE lessons and the wider PSHE curriculum, which covers online safety and the media explicitly.
Meeting the National Curriculum for Computing
Outside of the formal computing curriculum, children have access to online packages such as Mathsflex, Timestables Rockstars, Spelling Shed, Nessy and google classroom. Please see the home learning section of the website or your child’s class teacher for more specific information as details vary from class to class.
Assessment in computing is completed formatively, lesson to lesson, to reshape planning and teaching. Summative assessments at the end of units take into consideration children’s work in their final pieces.
For more information about our computing curriculum, please speak to Mrs Ellis.
