Intent

At Riverley Primary School our intention is that all children are fully prepared for the technological needs of the future and for every child to become a confident digital champion. It is our mission to widen our children’s horizons through a range of opportunities. The Computing team at Riverley explore innovative research and ideas through partnerships, nationally and internationally to ensure we deliver an exceptional curriculum. Our objective is to embed computing creatively in all aspects of the curriculum through providing children with continuous access to digital devices. Through this approach, children both independently and collaboratively apply computing skills to research about the world around them. We are committed to enabling our children to be able to engage critically with the online world and to be able to navigate their way, independently and safely, through a positive and secure use of information technology.

We will deliver a curriculum that ensures our children can:

• understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
• analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies
• be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

All children will leave school as resilient, independent and creative thinkers with the confidence and ambition to use and develop their own interests. In doing so, they will confidently be able to use and be in touch with current technological advances. Children will leave informed about the range of careers on offer to them, equipped with the skills for those yet to be created.

Implementation

The Computing curriculum is monitored by the subject lead to promote continuous improvement. This is achieved through reviewing, evaluating, sharing best practises as well as undertaking continuous professional development to stay at the forefront of the ever-changing technological world. Our medium term plan emphasises the importance of collaborating with high-tech industries in order to prepare children for the future. Each half-term, year groups focus on the same overarching topic, showing clear progression throughout the school.

The Computing lead team teaches with facilitators weekly in order to up-skill teachers in the delivery of the Computing Curriculum. The skills and knowledge that are developed during these team-teaching sessions enhances our teachers to provide a range of learning experiences in all subjects therefore giving children the opportunity to utilise technology in all areas of learning. In addition to this, regular CPD sessions further develops teacher’s subject knowledge and confidence in using a range of devices, apps and technology.

The use of Evidence Me supports on-going assessment within the subject and is used to clearly identify next steps in children’s learning as well as highlight achievements. Remote learning platforms such as Purple Mash and Google Classrooms provides additional opportunities for children to engage with technology.

Through the delivery of a rich and varied in-school and after-school club provision our children are provided with the opportunity to nurture and develop talents and interests with clubs such as Robotics on offer for the children. Pupil Ambassadors regularly evaluate the provision and are an integral part of designing an innovative Computing Curriculum.

Impact

The Computing curriculum provides opportunities for all children to collaborate, learn and develop skills using the characteristics of effective learning (Learning in the Deep). The children leave us with a firm foundation of subject skills that can further support other areas of learning as well as future employment. The children take risks and make mistakes; understanding how to debug and revaluate before completing a task. Our creative Computing Curriculum has developed confident problem-solvers who are empowered and skilful to strive for excellence in all that they do.

Children embody the Riverley Values of Creativity, Ambition, Responsibility and Empathy as they delve into the technological world. They are creative in their use of technology to drive their learning, ambitious in taking risks and debugging when necessary, responsible when using technology and having an online presence and empathetic to the ever changing world. Children leave Riverley with a deep love and appreciation for the lifelong development of Computational Skills and Knowledge.

Curriculum Documents