Computing

“Computers are incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate, and brilliant. Together they are powerful beyond imagination.” Albert Einstein

Our Intent

Norbreck aims to provide a fun, engaging, and high-quality computing education. It equips children with computational thinking and creativity to understand the changing world around them. The curriculum covers key knowledge about how computers and computer systems work, their design and programming. Our curriculum focuses on developing students’ computational thinking and problem-solving abilities. The goal is to equip them with skills for successful future careers, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and resilience. Technology plays a crucial role in supporting the computing and overall school curriculum. In summary, these intent statements underscore the importance of computing education, from foundational knowledge to practical skills, preparing students for a technology-driven world.

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

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

Cultural Capital

Through nurturing our intent aspects, we open up many opportunities and empower children to thrive in a modern digital world.

So, what does computing capital look like at Norbreck?

Termly topics enhance children’s experiences in the three main areas of learning – Digital Literacy, Computer Science and Information Technology.
The use of imagination and creativity in the creation of digital products is a component of cultural capital. Using technology, students investigate and communicate their own ideas.
Extra-curricular coding clubs offer an introduction into programming in Year 2 and Key Stage 2. They allow children the opportunity to learn how to code together, share their knowledge and skills in a creative way.
Year 6 Business Enterprise offers the opportunity to develop financial literacy and the knowledge and skills to prepare them for what comes next in their lives.
Safer Internet Day and termly Internet safety lessons play an important role in learning how to stay safe when online, through privacy and being a responsible digital citizen. PPA staff teach ProjectEVOLVE to all classes.
Whole school STEM Days are celebrated to link computing with other subjects.
Significant people, pioneers and historical figures are embedded into their learning journey. Gaining knowledge of these people’s background and influences enhances their cultural capital.

How we Implement Computing at Norbreck

At Norbreck, we use the Teach Computing Scheme. Most of the Units are written by teachers. This was implemented in 2021 and fully implemented 3 years ago and now runs extremely smoothly across Year Groups with obvious progression. Teachers may choose to teach the Units in any order to fit in with their curriculum. However, each Year Group has 2 programming units, A and B, which are taught in the correct order. These are often based on "Scratch" which can be used at home without a download. Key Stage One use Scratch Junior which is a simpler version of the main software.

Other apps are used, that again can be used at home for free.

For example: Year 1 use paint apps and virtual BeeBot Software. Year 2 use Google Music Lab, Year 3 use "iStopMotion" to create animations and Year 4 program repeated shapes using "FMSLogo", edit photos using "Paint.net" and edit audio using "Audacity". In Year 5, children are taught to program the BBC MicroBits - mini computers with a wealth of sensors. This progresses in Year Six where "Crumbles" are used which require more thought and connectivity. The Year 5 and 6 Units are based heavily on what is taught previously and use a similar interface. By Year Six, children are able to program their own games, explore Cad using TinkerCad and use speadsheets during Business Enterprise.

Children are taught to use laptops and tablets across the Key Stages. Key Stage 2 are taught how to save their work on a Network drive in correct folders, retrieving it in a future lesson.

A lesson by lesson guide with all Objectives and Success Criteria for Years 1-6 is included at the end of this page.

The 3 Strands of the Computing Curriculum

Computer Science

Foundations

Computer science covers topics such as:

how computer networks work
algorithms
sequence
selection
variables

Information Technology

Applications

Information technology is very broad as it involves the creation, organisation and manipulation of digital content in both key stages. Digital content can be interpreted as many things, from audio to images to film and beyond.

In Key Stage 2, information technology steps up because children are taught how to use search technologies effectively and how to analyse, present and evaluate data.

Digital Literacy

Implications

These are the skills, knowledge and understanding needed in order to participate fully and safely in an increasingly digital world. (Online Safety)

Long Term Plan

Lesson by lesson overview

Impact

The impact of our Computing curriculum is evident in the achievements and progression of our students. By instilling a passion for technology and computational thinking, we have seen an increase in student participation and attainment across all year groups. Students demonstrate confidence in applying their skills to solve complex problems and express creativity in developing digital solutions.

Our inclusive approach to Computing has led to improved attitudes towards learning, with students showing resilience and perseverance when faced with challenges. We take pride in the positive feedback received from both our students and parents, acknowledging the relevance and impact of our Computing curriculum including Internet Safety in preparing students for their future in the 21st century digital world.

Overall, our Computing curriculum successfully equips our students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to thrive, reflecting our school's commitment to excellence in education.

Whatever we do, we do it well!

Children's Voice

"We learn new things every week. I can't wait to get home and try them on my own account. I am so looking forward to programming Microbits and Crumbles in the next two years. Our teacher says he will have something new for us by then to try as I have done it all in Year 4!"

"We have been allowed to have a play at dinnertimes to get us ahead, and the Microbit club after school was fun!"

"I love computing... It is my favourite lesson... We learn new things every week. I can't wait to get home to try them..."

"I can't wait for our Computing lessons each week. I love computing. It is my favourite lesson. They are always fun, and we are allowed to explore as far as we can. I have recently programmed a game of my own and was allowed to add a score and timer (which I know is Year 5 and 6 work, even though I am in Year 4)."

Gallery

Whole School Computing, Lesson by Lesson