Computing
Why do we teach computing?
At Boston Pioneers Academy, we aim for our learners to leave our school as ‘masters of technology’. In an ever-changing world, technology is everywhere as it is part of daily life. Through a wide and varied Computing curriculum, we aim to educate our learners in how to not only use, but embrace, a range of technologies in a positive, responsible and safe manner.
Our programme of study covers all 3 aspects of the computing curriculum:
- Computer Science – ‘The Foundations of Computing’ – Learners are taught the principles of information and computation; how digital systems work; and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.
- Information Technology – ‘The application of computing’ – Learners are taught to apply their computing skills analytically to solve problems; including using IT to create programs, systems and a range of content.
- Digital Literacy and Online safety – ‘The implications of computing’ – Learners are taught to use, express themselves and develop their ideas safely and respectfully through information communication technologies.
How does our Computing Curriculum Reflect our Wider Curriculum Intent?
Oracy and Vocabulary – ‘Learning the words to learn.’
Just like other subjects, computing has a language all of its own. Through our computing curriculum, learners are both exposed to and directly taught age-appropriate computing vocabulary which will enable them to think and talk in a computational manner. Our vocabulary is progressive, meaning that each year, the learners are building their ‘inner word bank’.
Experiential Learning – ‘I see and I wonder, I hear and I remember, I do and I understand.’
Computing is, by its very nature a practical subject and our curriculum is filled with opportunities for the learners to apply their knowledge creatively, enabling them to become skilful computer scientists. We encourage our staff to view computing as an ‘integral part of’ as opposed to ‘a bolt-on’ to the wider curriculum and support its use across the whole curriculum to make learning both creative and accessible.
Raising Aspirations – ‘Beyond Boston’
We aim to expose our learners to the possibilities and opportunities available in the field of computer science, including career paths.
Care and Guidance – ‘Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.’
We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education. Through the delivery of the Computing curriculum, our learners are taught how to be ‘digitally savvy’ – from recognising fake news to knowing how to report something concerning which they see online. The children are taught skills which enable them to be safeguarded and know the difference between right and wrong. These are life skills which will benefit our learners as they move onto secondary school and into later life.
How do we teach computing? Our Academy implementation
At Boston Pioneers Academy, computing is taught through a blended approach of explicit computing teaching and cross-curricular computing opportunities. As an Academy, we use the Teach Computing scheme of work which has been developed by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE).
In addition to their dedicated computing lesson, the use of technology is also incorporated into other areas of the curriculum. For example, it is used for research into subjects such as History and Geography; software such as Lexia is used to support learning in English and cameras are used to learn photography and animation skills in Art and Design.
Our learners begin their journey with technology in the Early Years Foundation Stage, with access to iPads. Through continuous provision and curriculum opportunities, staff facilitate the learners’ curiosity and skills in using technology appropriately and with creativity.
Throughout our Computing curriculum, we aim for our learners to be digitally literate and competent end-users of technology. Alongside this, we hope for the learners to develop creativity, resilience and problem-solving and critical thinking skills. In all units of work, we teach our learners to identify how technology is used in the real world, therefore seeing its purpose and importance in their lives.
