Computing
Computing at Manor Road is complemented by the Kapow Primary scheme.
The scheme is from EYFS to Year 6.
Kapow offers full coverage of the KS1 and KS2 Computing curriculum and is categorised into three areas:
- Digital Literacy and Online Safety
- Computational Thinking
- Computers and Hardware
At Manor Road Primary School, we understand that with personalised learning comes higher student engagement. Personalising our curriculum allows all children to be provided with a learning journey that tailors their needs and interests. By addressing the different interests of students, we will therefore enhance and improve progress.
Our KAPOW scheme of work is planned around these skills and styles of learning to ensure that our children are provided with valuable learning opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential.
Computing Ambassadors 2023-24
Intent
At Manor Road Primary School, we are aware that we are living in an ever changing and technological world. We acknowledge that future generations will continue to rely on their computational confidence and digital skills in order to support their progress within their chosen career paths. Technology is everywhere and plays an important role in children’s lives. It is vital that we support our pupils in becoming confident when using technology positively, responsibly and safely and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. We believe that it is important that children understand how to use the ever-changing technology to express themselves, as tools for learning and as a means to drive their generation forward into the future.
Our curriculum provides children with the opportunity to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content whilst also ensuring that they are digitally literate; able to use, express themselves and develop ideas as participants in the digital world and in the future workplace.
EYFS
Despite computing not being explicitly mentioned within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, we believe that there are many opportunities for young children to use technology to solve problems and produce creative outcomes. Our EYFS classrooms contain role play areas with a range of technology and children are given the opportunity to select and use technology for a certain purpose, rather than simply being given a device.
Implementation
Computing is taught at Manor Road using Kapow. Kapow’s scheme of work follows the National Curriculum guidance and is broken into literacy, information technology and computer science. Within these areas, children will cover the following units: Computing systems and networks, programming, creating media, data handling and online safety. Kapow is used for the planning of the computing lessons however is adapted to link to other subjects taught across the curriculum and the interests of our children. We believe that it is important to personalise our curriculum in order to engage our children and provide meaningful education. Employing cross-curricular links motivates pupils and supports them to make connections and remember the steps they have been taught.
Online safety is embedded effectively within our curriculum with links to other subjects such as PSHE. Children take part in online safety lessons after each unit of work is taught in computing and in addition, staff follow ‘Project Evolve – Education for a Connected World’ framework to support and broaden the provision of online safety. This framework helps to promote the development of safe and appropriate long-term behaviours, and support teachers in shaping the culture within their setting and beyond.
Kapow scheme of work.
Education for a Connected World.
Impact
We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver and will assist children in challenging themselves by asking ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind their learning. At Manor Road, we believe that a high quality computing education aims to develop a range of programming and technological skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas.
The way pupils share, showcase, celebrate and publish their work will clearly show the impact of our curriculum and in result, inform future adaptations to ensure that progression is evident throughout school.
Children at Manor Road will demonstrate confidence in computing by demonstrating the following:
Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science)
Analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems (Computer science)
Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology)
Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy)
EYFS:
Pupils in EYFS at Manor Road, will enjoy a curriculum that is play based, hands on and fun! Our pupils will follow a scheme of work that includes 5 units that are built each of 5 lessons covering areas from exploring hardware, to following and giving instructions.
Although schools now do not statutorily have to assess children in computing, pupils at Manor Road will understand the main parts of a computer, receive and give instructions, explore different computer hardware, learn about directions with Bee-bot and sort and categorise data.