Building on Meanwood’s vision and values and the National Curriculum for Computing, we aim to provide an exceptional Computing education that embraces our school vision. The foundational skills, knowledge and understanding of computing are vital for the life opportunities for our children.

Open Hearts – We create a cooperative learning environment, encouraging children to work together, share ideas and learn collaboratively. 

Open Minds – We inspire our children to strive for excellence in Computing, supporting them to develop fluency in computing fundamentals through regular practice and increasingly complex problem-solving and use of technology. We celebrate their achievements and encourage them to reach their full potential. 

Open Arms – We foster empathy in our pupils, encouraging them to understand and appreciate different perspectives and approaches to Computing. We promote an inclusive environment where all learners feel valued and supported in their technological journey.

Intent

At Meanwood we want to equip pupils with the skills of computational thinking and creativity to prepare them to be active participants in an increasingly digital world. Children will be taught to be responsible, respectful and confident users of a broad range of technologies whilst always mindful of how to keep themselves safe online and how their behaviour affects others. Our comprehensive curriculum encompasses digital literacy, information technology and computer science and is taught in a way that is progressive and sequenced to build on previous learning, allowing children to apply their skills in various digital contexts. Children will become proficient and effective users of a range of internet, desktop technologies and artefacts in order to express themselves and develop their ideas at a level suitable for the future workplace. Computer science is at the core of Computing and as such children will progressively learn the key concepts of programming, how to apply logic, testing and debugging.  Wherever possible pupils will be given the opportunity to apply what they have learned alongside the wider curriculum gaining confidence and encouraging enjoyment.

Implementation

At Meanwood, the children’s knowledge and understanding build cumulatively through the schools Computing curriculum by following a carefully sequenced progression map.

Computing is a practical subject, in which invention and resourcefulness are encouraged. As such the children will learn through hands-on projects applying their computing skills to real-world problems and/or other areas of the school curriculum. Children will be encouraged to discover their own solutions to problems empowering their learning.

Computing lessons are split into three different strands: Digital Literacy, Information Technology and Computer Science, which are taught half-termly.  In order to maintain progression throughout their school career, children are given the opportunity to practise existing skills and build on these to develop and new or more advanced skills.

Impact

At Meanwood our aim is keep all the children working together at broadly the same place by taking small steps in learning.

Formative Assessment

The children’s progress is assessed using regular formative assessment in lessons through questioning, regular retrieval practice and feedback. We determine pupils’ current understanding of a subject area through discussions at the start of a topic plus regular check-ins as pupils’ learning develops over time. Due to the practical nature of the subject, pupils will be assessed in a number of different ways. This includes quizzes and feedback through the school’s Virtual Learning Environment, verbal feedback during the task or, when programming, children self-assess and peer-assess their programs through testing. 

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment in Computing takes place at the end of each half-term unit whereby children are assessed against the subject endpoints. This may be through quizzes, evaluation against success criteria or self-assessment through testing of programs. These inform the teacher of any children that need further consolidation and/or intervention.

Tracking Pupil Progress

In Computing the assessment against the endpoints are submitted into a spreadsheet which track children’s progress. Teachers can then see where gaps in learning are and provide further consolidation and/or intervention. 

Staff Development

Training needs are identified as a result of whole school monitoring and evaluation, performance management and through self-analysis. The subject leader is keen to share best practice and disseminate up-to-date initiatives to staff via planned CPD and development time. This will ensure the subject is constantly evolving to meet the demands of curriculum expectations.

Monitoring

The subject leader, SLT and Governors all play a role in the monitoring of Computing at Meanwood. Regular monitoring via learning walks, and pupil voice feedback ensures the subject is constantly being reviewed and regulated to ensure the best learning opportunities for all.