Our Curriculum

For more detailed information about computing learning in each year group, take a look at our computing subject overview here: Computing at Springfield

Our vision

At Springfield, we believe computing is a crucial part of children’s learning, as technology is now essential to navigating our present world and innovating for the future. We follow the Kapow scheme of work for computing as a robust and rigorously sequenced curriculum that breaks learning into small, sequential steps that become progressively more complex and challenging over time. The Kapow scheme ensures that pupils meet the end of Key Stage attainment targets outlined in the National Curriculum. Across a rich range of units, children master content related to computer science, such as writing algorithms, using logical reasoning to explain how algorithms work and debugging algorithms that do not meet the intended purpose. Children also learn content related to information technology such as how to use search technologies effectively, how to navigate information online and how to collect, evaluate and present data and information. Within digital literacy learning, we ensure that children are equipped with the tools to stay safe online.

In conjunction with our PSHE and RSE curriculum, our computing curriculum also meets the objectives of the DfE’s Education for a Connected World framework. This guidance was created to help equip children for life in the digital world, including developing their understanding of appropriate online behaviour, being discerning consumers of online information, copyright issues and healthy use of technology. We place a strong emphasis on e-safety through yearly online safety units, regular retrieval of online safety knowledge in lessons, regular assemblies and communication with parents and carers at home. Our curriculum teaches children the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to balance the advantages offered by technology with a critical awareness of their own and other’s online behaviour. We equip every child with effective strategies for staying safe and making a positive contribution online.

How we plan for and teach computing

The Kapow scheme of work is designed around the three strands referenced in the National Curriculum: computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

Throughout KS1 and KS2, children revisit knowledge and skills in five key areas linked to these three strands: computer systems and networks; programming; creating media; data handling and online safety. The cyclical route through the curriculum ensures that prior knowledge and skills are revisited to ensure retention in long-term memory and built upon to develop increasingly sophisticated understanding.

Computing is taught weekly in every half-term of the year. Some lessons take place in our Computing Suite which is equipped with a range of Mac desktop computers. Other computing lessons take place in the base classroom with children accessing a range of devices such as Bee-Bots, iPads or Google Chrome Books. Computing lessons at Springfield incorporate the following elements: retrieval practice; explicit teaching of new vocabulary; teacher modelling and questioning and a range of generative learning tasks – some independent and some undertaken in partnerships. Knowledge organisers for each unit support children to build a foundation of factual knowledge by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary.

Each unit of learning includes teacher videos to develop excellent subject knowledge and support teachers’ ongoing professional development. All teachers at Springfield are robustly supported to have strong subject knowledge across the computing curriculum and to know how new learning builds on prior understanding and towards future knowledge and skills.

How we evaluate learning in computing

Teachers continually evaluate children’s learning through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. In each lesson, teachers ensure children are assessed against the learning objectives and planning is responsive to gaps and misconceptions. Each unit has a unit quiz to assess the retention of new knowledge and vocabulary.

The impact of our computing curriculum can clearly be seen in projects that children create as well as presentations created as digital content. Programs that children write code for are saved digitally and accessed by teachers to ensure achievement of learning objectives. Children have the opportunity to self-assess the content they have created, as well as peer-assess. In each year group, children use previously learned skills and apply them to new software and coding programs. Our pupils leave Springfield equipped with a range of knowledge and skills that enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in the digital world.