COMPUTING

At Fairway Primary School, our intent is to deliver a computing curriculum that prepares our children for the 21^st century.  We aim to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to develop computational thinking and ways to be responsible and keep themselves safe.

At Fairway, we encourage children to EXPLORE new skills and knowledge, develop a good understanding so they KNOW how to apply these skills to different information and communication technology and be able to COMMUNICATE their learning confidently and effectively.

During their learning journey at Fairway we want children to develop an understanding of the following key concepts:

• computing systems and networks
• programming
• data and information
• creating media
• online safety

We aim to develop cultural capital in our learners to enable them to be empowered to use computing to access information and connect to a global audience.  This will prepare them for the next stage of their education and enable them to become responsible citizens of an ever-changing technological world.

Inclusion is at the core of our vision and ethos. We have developed opportunities to consider the nine protected characteristics of the Equality Act, British Values and children’s development of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education throughout our computing curriculum. We look to develop children’s awareness about the lives of others and this work is constantly changing and developing.

Computing learning at Fairway Primary School is carefully planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on prior learning and provide progression towards end of year and end of key stage expectations. We have carefully adapted the KAPOW scheme of work to ensure all aspects of computing are covered throughout their learning journey.

Computing lessons are planned to:

• build on prior knowledge.
• encourage children to think about their learning, to reflect on previous learning and make connections between new and existing learning.
• give clear learning objectives and success criteria.
• develop the children’s vocabulary, with adults effectively modelling precise and rich language linked to computing.
• give children opportunities to program, handle data and create media through a understanding of computing systems and networks.
• determine the level of risk when using technology.
• give opportunities for children to work collaboratively in pairs or groups as well as work independently.
• use effective questioning to check levels of understanding. 

We aim to support all children to reach their full potential by enabling children to overcome barriers to learning. Assessment is used to inform next steps in learning to ensure that children are building on their prior knowledge and making appropriate progress according to their ability and age.

Our computing curriculum enables our children to:

• gain an understanding of the impact and power of technology.
• prepare for their future lives.
• present as competent and adaptable ‘Computational Thinkers’ who are able to use identified concepts and approaches in all areas of the curriculum.
• be able to identify the source of problems and work with perseverance to ‘debug’ them.