At Gifford Primary School, we understand that a high-quality Computing education is essential for pupils to understand modern information and communication technologies (ICT), and for them to use these skills to become responsible, competent, confident and creative participants of an increasingly digital world.
Knowledge and understanding of ICT is of increasing importance for pupil’s futures; both at home and for future employment in the world of work.
Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills across the different strands of computing: online safety, computer science, information technology and digital literacy. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of topics and themes to ensure learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed.
Gifford Primary has introduced the Teach Computing scheme to deliver the computing curriculum this year. The Computing curriculum is designed to enable children to develop skills across all strands within the computing curriculum: online safety, computer science, information technology and digital literacy. Planning outlines six programmes of study for each year group Year 1-6: programming, computational thinking, creativity, computer networks, communication/collaboration and productivity.
Pupils are given opportunities to use various computing equipment including: tablets, laptops, VR headsets, recordable devices, programmable robots and other technical toys. Children in Y4-6 have the opportunity to take home a Chromebook to complete their home-learning tasks.
As children progress through the school they revisit computing knowledge to ensure that learning is embedded, and skills are successfully developed. In Early Years, children will be introduced to various computing skills through technical toys, tablets and the exploration of construction and other practical resources.
Computing learning is also embedded in the wider curriculum and each half term pupils receive a dedicated online safety lesson.
The Gifford Primary computing curriculum enables children to see that computing can be used creatively within all areas of learning. Also, they will understand the importance that computing and digital technology have in their future outside of the classroom. As children move through the school they revisit the key computing strands to ensure learning is embedded. Pupils will be given the opportunities to use this key computing vocabulary/language in discussions. Pupils will have knowledge of how to communicate online and keep themselves safe while doing so. On completion of each project, teachers will assess pupils against the National Curriculum Objectives.
In the Foundation Stage Computing is covered in various ways across the Early Years Curriculum. Children explore technology through play based learning which enables them to develop their listening and problem solving skills. Through daily activities children are provided with various opportunities to use technology:
● Listening to music
● Using the Interactive Board
● Using programmable toys
● Take photos and videos using tablets
● Use tablets to play educational games
● Using an interactive map
● Explore how everyday objects work by using real life objects during role play.