Intent:

At Pyrcroft Grange, our Computing curriculum is thoughtfully designed to ignite pupils' passion for the digital world, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills essential for navigating and contributing to the future digital landscape. Our curriculum spans the breadth of computing, including computer science, information technology, and digital literacy, with a strong emphasis on online safety. We aim for our pupils to:

• Gain a deep understanding of how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to practical use through programming.
• Develop an appreciation for the impact of technology on society and individual lives, promoting responsible and ethical use of digital tools.
• Build a solid foundation in digital literacy, enabling them to communicate effectively and creatively in various digital formats.
• Cultivate problem-solving skills, resilience, and the ability to work collaboratively in digital contexts.

Implementation:

Our Computing curriculum is implemented through a comprehensive and structured approach, ensuring a coherent progression of skills and knowledge. Currently, we follow the Mr P Computing scheme, which delivers all the necessary strands of the National Curriculum. Key components include:

• Detailed planning for each year group, with specific learning objectives that build upon prior knowledge and skills, ensuring a deepening understanding of computing concepts.
• Each year group cover six D.A.R.E.S. this is an innovative approach to teaching computing which encourages pupils to be critical thinkers, problems solvers and computational thinkers while creating purposeful content to demonstrate how learning can be applied across the wider curriculum, thereby enhancing their overall learning experience.
• Adopting an adaptive teaching approach, to ensure concepts are broken down into manageable steps and that pupils’ understanding is scaffolded.
• Use of a wide range of digital technologies and platforms to provide pupils with hands-on experience in coding, digital creation, and data manipulation.
• Emphasis on online safety, teaching pupils to navigate the digital world securely and respectfully. This is securely linked to our PSHE curriculum.
• At Pyrcroft Grange School, we appreciate that online technologies are constantly changing. Therefore, we feel as though it is important to support and educate parents in keeping children safe online. To do this, we offer a range of useful resources to inform parents and support them in managing their children’s online use such as newsletters, informative evenings, and useful websites.
• Continuous professional development for staff, ensuring that teaching practices remain current and effective in delivering high-quality computing education.
• Engagement with external resources, such as visits from IT professionals and trips to technology companies, to provide real-world context and inspiration.
• Networking with other schools in the Bourne Education Trust and advice from the Trust Head of Digital Education.

Impact:

The impact of our Computing curriculum is assessed through a variety of measures, ensuring that pupils not only acquire the necessary digital skills but also develop a thoughtful and inquisitive approach towards technology. Outcomes include:

• Pupils demonstrating proficiency in using technology creatively to express themselves and explore their ideas.
• Evident progression in computational thinking and problem-solving skills, with pupils able to apply these in a range of contexts.
• A strong understanding of online safety, with pupils able to make informed decisions about their digital interactions. Parents and carers are equipped with the knowledge and resources to guide their children to use technology safely.
• Active participation in digital projects and presentations, showcasing their learning and digital creations to peers, parents, and the wider community.
• Through planned staff training staff are confident and equipped to deliver a high-quality computing education.

This detailed structure ensures that our Computing curriculum not only equips pupils with the technical skills necessary for the digital age but is also adaptable to meet the needs of our school community.  It also fosters a deep understanding of the ethical, social, and personal implications of technology.