IT & Computing

Curriculum Leader: James Akerman

IT and Computing is seen nationally as a vital tool in preparing pupils for life in the community.   The National Curriculum has been updated to reflect new technologies, changes in IT, as well as the importance that industry places on Computing.

The curriculum aims for all young people to become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. It incorporates programming and coding, enabling our young people to become makers and not just users of digital technology, devices, games and applications.

Computing aims to ensure 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

Direct teaching of the skills and competencies are undertaken in discrete IT and Computing lessons. IT and Computing skills also used in enhance learning in other curriculum areas. As appropriate, the IT and Computing Curriculum uses the rolling programme of themes and theme days to deliver content.

Pupils with multiple and complex needs in the school have access to a range of technology to support learning and their communication.  This may include eye gaze technology to enable access as well as engagement with their learning.

E-Safety

All pupils are taught about e-safety through discrete units of work and an annual ‘e-safety day’, so that they understand how to keep themselves safe and be responsible when using technology and social media. This is a key element of the whole school approach to safeguarding.

EYFS

Although Computing is not one of the seven areas of development in EYFS Statutory Framework, the pupils start building foundation knowledge and gaining skills through cross curricular activities. Pupils engage with a range of technology in the curriculum and this is linked to the Understanding of the World area of learning.

Key Stage 1, 2 and 3

The Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 pupils follow the National Curriculum which is adapted to meet their needs. Activities include coding, debugging, exploring IT, control technology, using software for creating, adapting and presenting their work and sharing their findings with others.

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4, most pupils are working towards their OCR Entry Level ICT. For the children not working at Entry Level, we accredit their learning through AQA ICT skills unit award.

Post 16

In Post 16 IT is part of the curriculum and used for research purposes, presentations, displays, online practice such as the use of ‘espresso’. The students also undertake regular e-safety courses to understand how to keep themselves safe when using the Internet. If a need is identified to further develop a particular IT skill, students will be advised to attend additional IT sessions. It is also possible to complete ASDAN courses linked to IT at any level.