Computing

Our SHINE curriculum is evident throughout our approach to the teaching of computing.

Securing excellence

At Rougham, our children follow a carefully constructed computing scheme of work, which is focussed on and guided by robustly structured progression within the subject, in order to secure excellence. From the moment they start school until they leave us at the end of Year 6, our children have regular opportunities to extend and enhance their knowledge and skills within computing lessons, application in other subjects and extra curricular activities.

Harnessing  Connections

By arranging our computing curriculum into strands, children are encouraged to make connections between their current and previous learning. Teachers have a secure understanding of what has come before and lessons are crafted to draw the children’s attention to links with content and skills previously taught, as well as highlighting connections to other subjects.

Inclusivity

Our SHINE curriculum and belief that everyone can learn and enjoy computing, underpins the school’s approach to the subject. In computing, as with all subjects at Rougham, we ensure that all children are able to fully access the curriculum and can achieve their potential. Lessons are broken down into short tasks which are scaffolded and extended to fit our children as individuals. We encourage the use of technology at home to enhance and consolidate learning both in computing and other subjects, and provide access to devices in school or at home for those families that don’t have them.

Nurturing Curiosity

We have created a culture at Rougham where, rather than being afraid of making mistakes, children and adults see them as a valuable part of learning. As a result we have developed brave and curious learners that are confident to have a go. Our scheme of work is structured to build progressively across the years and secure essential knowledge, thus developing pupils that are confident in their computing skills and eager to challenge themselves and explore further. Computing lessons routinely include challenges and problems solving activities that encourage the children to develop their understanding through exploration and discuss their ideas and learning with each other.

Engaging experiences

Pupil engagement was one of the drivers for adopting our current scheme. It is creative, exciting and accessible, and provides endless opportunities for children to independently engage with the computing curriculum through activities that link to their own interests.

By incorporating the use of technology and computing programmes into subjects such as music and art, children have the chance to engage in projects that spark their imagination and creativity, and gives them an insight into how their computing skills and knowledge can be applied in other subjects and beyond school.

We use Purple Mash to teach computing from Year R to Y6. This provides complete coverage of the National Curriculum objectives for computing and gives pupils access to a wealth of 2Simple tools and programmes as well as experience of commonly used software such as Excel, Word and Google Docs. The scheme is arranged into stands, with a range of digital literacy, computer science and information technology units taught in every year group.

We recognise the immense value technology plays not only in supporting the computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school. Because of this we have prioritised investment in improving internet access and substantially increasing the number of devices available for pupils to use, thus ensuring that all children are able to fully access and engage in weekly computing lessons.