ICT

1. Statement of Intent

The intent of our curriculum within Computer studies focusses on a holistic approach to ensure our pupils leave Brewood Middle CE Academy with competent skills on a range of software and hardware, and to understand the digital world around us so that we can make a positive contribution to society.

The computer studies curriculum focuses on allowing pupils to be creative whilst solving problems, working independently and working in teams. Our curriculum ensures pupils understand the importance of the digital world and how we safeguard others and ourselves.

2. The National Curriculum

The national curriculum for computing aims 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

At Brewood CE Middle Academy we ensure all of the content of the national curriculum is achieved through lesson and scheme content.

3. Lesson Structure

Each unit of work is delivered through lesson time of 55 minutes per week, with additional opportunities to build on knowledge outside of class time. Typically, each unit of work will consist of a variety of formative and summative assessments, which can range from tests, presentations and quizzes, which will determine the student’s knowledge base.

4. Curriculum Implementation – Planning and Teaching

At Brewood we use a variety of tools to design the best possible curriculum for our pupils. Within KS2 we use the purple mash software to help our staff deliver all of the schemes from online safety, coding, blogging and spreadsheets. Via purple mash, we provide feedback on pupils work and store test results to aid us in our planning of future units of work.

Within KS3 we use a combination of bespoke units of work such as Kodu gaming lab and grand design on sketch up and we use the teach computing schemes through the teach computing website. These units allow us to track pupils progress as we go through the unit of work to see the progress pupils are making and how we move their learning forward effectively.

5. Impact and Assessment

Pupils are assessed in a variety of ways. Pupils regularly complete peer and self-assessment within lessons to see what they have achieved and how they can move their learning forward. Pupils also complete summative assessment through the use of quizzes/tests, presentations, written evaluations and concept maps. These take place at the end of a unit to see what pupils have understood and what may need to be addressed in the future.

6. Cultural Capital

We aim to develop a holistic approach so that all pupils are ready for the the digital world we now live in. The computing curriculum aims to equip our pupils with the tools in order to make good choices so that they are safe online and can keep others safe too.

We expose our pupils to a variety of software’s so that pupils develop their skills and knowledge so that they can apply these skills to a variety of jobs and further education post Brewood Middle Academy.

7. Inclusion – Equal Opportunities and SEND

All pupils complete computer studies here at Brewood as it has become such an integral part of our lives both in the classroom and out of it. Pupils are supported in computing lessons through scaffolding tasks and differentiated lesson outcomes. All pupils have the chance to succeed within computer studies and showcase their work to their peers. Within other subject areas pupils are able to use iPads and chrome books to support and aid their learning.

8. The Subject Leader

The role of the subject leader within computing studies is to not only ensure the delivery of the curriculum is of the highest standard but also to ensure it is relevant and up to date.

We are in an ever changing world and that is particularly true in the digital world. We must have the tools and knowledge in order to help keep ourselves and others safe. Our online safety lessons are forever changing to ensure pupils and staff have the knowledge and expertise to keep their information safe when online.

9. British Values and SMSC

At Brewood we understand the role computer studies plays in the development of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Through our units of work, we cover the importance of creator’s rights and phishing emails so pupils are aware of what the law states about misusing ICT.

Computing devices are now such a part of our lives day to day they have a direct impact on our emotional and mental wellbeing and understand how to use certain hardware’s and software’s will allow us to development holistically.