Computing Curriculum at Mill Hill Primary

Our Intent

At Mill Hill Primary School, our computing provision aims to equip our children to participate in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. It is our intention to enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information in a safe, responsible and respectful manner. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in a discriminating and effective way. Our computing curriculum, particularly through focusing on programming, enables children to develop their problem solving and reasoning abilities. It enables children to understand and apply the essential principles and concepts of Computer Science, including logic, algorithms and data representation, analyse problems in computational term, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. Computing skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners and it is our intention that children have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this. 

Implementation

A blocked-curriculum approach

At Mill Hill, computing is taught using a blocked curriculum approach. This ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics. Planning in the school is also informed by Hampshire LEA’s standards progression. 

EYFS

By the end of the EYFS, pupils should be taught to:

• Operate simple equipment such as cameras, remote controls and tablet.
• Use ICT hardware to interact with age-appropriate software.
• Recognise that technology is used in places such as homes and schools.
• Develop confidence in using computers (and other hardware such as iPads and tablets) independently.
• Select and use technology for particular purposes.

Key Stage 1

By the end of key stage 1, pupils should be taught to:

• Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following a sequence of instructions.
• Write and test simple programs.
• Use logical reasoning to predict and computing the behaviour of simple programs.
• Organise, store, manipulate and retrieve data in a range of digital formats.
• Communicate safely and respectfully online, keeping personal information private, and recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.

Key Stage 2

By the end of key stage 2, pupils should be taught to:

• Design and write programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.
• Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output; generate appropriate inputs and predicted outputs to test programs.
• Use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs.
• Understand computer networks including the Internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world -wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
• Describe how Internet search engines find and store data; use search engines effectively; be discerning in evaluating digital content; respect individuals and intellectual property; use technology responsibly, securely and safely.
• Select, use and combine a variety of software (including Internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.

Computational thinking

Our lessons include opportunities for computational thinking to encourage deeper thinking and questioning. It supports our pupils to access a complex problem by breaking it into smaller, more comprehensible steps. 

Online Safety Curriculum

Our Online Safety curriculum follows the Education for a Connected World framework and uses the planning and resources from Project Evolve to ensure we remain up to date with current perspectives, research and professional development materials. 

Issues such as cyberbullying, online wellbeing, screen time/ addiction, the reliability of information and ‘Stanger danger’ are also discussed in PSHE lessons. Children are taught the SMART rules of online safety and are taught the skills and knowledge that they may need to keep themselves safe online.

We hold Online Safety Workshops to teach children and their parents about online safety using the provider Online safety Uk. Through this company we also provide support and information for our community. We also take part in Safer internet Day annually to raise awareness within school and the local community about the importance of using the internet and mobile technologies safely, and to advise on ways in which to reduce risk.

For more information on online safety, see our Online Safety Page.

Impact

After the implementation of our computing curriculum, children at Mill Hill will be proficient in their use of technology and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform.  They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively for the benefit of themselves and others, but more importantly – safely.  The children will be creators as well as consumers of digital content. Our children will understand the consequences of using the internet with awareness of how to keep themselves safe online but still keep a buzz for the use of technology with the understanding of the huge positive impact it can make to people’s lives.

Evidence in knowledge

Pupils know how and why technology is used in the outside world, and in the workplace. They know about different ways that computers can be used.

Evidence in skills

Pupils use acquired vocabulary in computing, including coding, lessons. They have the skills to use technology independently, for example accessing age-appropriate software and games in EYFS and using a range of computer software independently in KS1 and KS2.

This evidence will be collected through teacher-led assessments. Pupils will be assessed on their knowledge, use of technical vocabulary and development of skills. Class teachers will assess if pupils are working below expected, at the expected level or at greater depth against the Computing National Curriculum objectives

Pupil Voice

Through discussion and feedback, children talk enthusiastically about their computing lessons and speak about how they love learning on the computer. Children across the school articulate well about the potential risks of being online and can talk about ways to keep safe.