Intent:

At Brushwood, we aim to provide pupils with a high-quality computing education which equips them to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.

Underpinning our computing curriculum are the three key strands: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. In the first strand, pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. In the second strand pupils are taught to use information technology to create programs and systems, and in the third strand, pupils are taught to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology.

In line with the national curriculum, we will aim 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.

Implementation:

At Brushwood we have designed and tailored a computing curriculum which has been derived from both the national curriculum and a range of published schemes, to provide pupils with a vast set of skills that enables them to make progress year on year. Each year learning is revisited and built upon, and pupils are also encouraged to independently discover new skills, developing their curiosity and ability to problem solve.

Pupils are taught through whole-class interactive teaching with pupils working together on the same objective. They are given time and opportunity to fully understand, explore and apply skills in different ways and in different situations. All pupils are encouraged to believe in their ability to master computing which is acknowledged by their ability to apply their learning to new contexts and develop their own thinking relating to a problem or concept.

Several enrichment opportunities occur in relation to computing at Brushwood. For example, our 2017 ‘Inventions’ theme week and our 2019 ‘STEM’ theme week where pupils experienced visits from individuals and companies who were able to share their knowledge and expertise, and pupils engaged in activities such as, 3D printing and programming robots, which helped to develop their understanding and interest relating to information and communication technology. We have also delivered an ‘E-safety awareness’ evening for parents and have previously provided a computing enrichment time club, as well as an after-school coding club run by an outside provider. We continue to research for and provide other opportunities.

In 2019 Brushwood was accredited the National Online Safety award. This has enabled all stakeholders an opportunity to safeguard the children in our school community by providing everyone with up-to-date information on terminology and resources to teach children how to keep themselves safe online. This training is in-line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance for 2020. 

Impact:

The impact of our curriculum is monitored through:

• Pupil voice - questionnaires and pupil book reviews

• Engagement in enrichment activities

• Subject leader monitoring - lesson visits, work scrutiny, action plan and assessments.

• Governor reports