Curriculum Leaders: Toni King (maternity leave) Dave Tickle 

At Oakridge Schools Federation, we recognise that pupils are living in a rapidly changing world, in which computing is playing an ever-increasing role. We aim, therefore, to equip children with the skills to adapt to new technology and to give them the confidence to use computing to further their learning and assist them in everyday life. In doing so, all pupils will have access to computing equipment and resources, according to their ability and age range.

At Oakridge Schools Federation, we believe that increased computing skills promote independent learning and give greater access to a wide range of ideas and experiences. It enhances the quality of children’s work across the curriculum and should enhance and enrich the learning process.

Aims of Computing Curriculum

• To develop children’s individual computing capability and understanding
• To ensure all children know how to stay safe online
• To enhance teaching and learning in other areas of the curriculum by cross-curricular use of computing
• To develop computing as a tool for learning and investigation
• To equip pupils with the confidence and capability to use IT throughout their education, home and further work life.
• To recognise the potential, and deepen the necessity of computing in everyday life
• To stimulate interest in new technologies

Implementation of Computing

• We have used the best research to create a well-sequenced and progressive curriculum map containing the key concepts children need to be procedurally fluent and to work and think like computing professionals using the Kapow Computing Scheme.

The key concepts in computing we plan a progression for are as follows:

• Problem-solving and logical thinking
• Creative Content
• Digital literacy

At Oakridge Schools Federation to enhance the teaching and learning of all curriculum areas within the school, teachers employ a range of strategies including:

•  Demonstrating to the whole class/group using the IWB.
• Discussion with the whole class/group.
• Individual or paired working.
• Collaborative group work.
• Encouraging pupils to demonstrate new skills to others

At Oakridge Schools Federation the computing curriculum incorporates cross-curricular links and discrete computing skills. Computing should be taught as part of our creative curriculum, while still teaching the discrete skills required. Children in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 should all spend at least 1 hour per week studying computing. Children will spend additional time using computing to support other subjects.

At Oakridge Schools Federation we recognise the need for children to understand the purpose of their work and therefore we take every opportunity to share their computing work in school and on the school website where there are galleries of children’s work for each class.

At Oakridge Schools Federation the computing curriculum provision covers the following topic areas (across all year groups);

• Text and Multimedia
• Images, Video and Animation
• Sound
• Electronic Communication
• Digital Research
• Data Handling
• Data Logging
• Logo and Control
• Simulations and Spreadsheets
• E-safety

At Oakridge Schools Federation children will be encouraged to evaluate both their work and the computer effectiveness. The nature of computing as a tool means that there will be many opportunities for links with other subjects.

Teachers will plan some activities which emphasise the development of computing capability and others that support the subject being taught.

In order to ensure progression and continuity throughout the school, we have developed a curriculum map that outlines curriculum coverage, progression and context of computing as a discreet subject and across the curriculum.

Expectations in Computing

E-Safety

At Oakridge Schools Federation staff and pupils are made aware of the importance of e-safety and sign an acceptable use agreement on entry to school and at Key Stage 2.

Staff, pupils or parents with concerns about e-safety are to contact the Headteacher if they have any concerns.