Computing
Computing at Saracens Broadfields aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupils’ appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to create, manage, organise, and collaborate.
Philosophy
There are six underlying attributes at the heart of Broadfields’ curriculum and lessons.
- Lessons and units are knowledge and vocabulary rich so that pupils build on what they already know to develop powerful knowledge.
- Knowledge is sequenced and mapped in a coherent format so that pupils make meaningful connections.
- Our flexible curriculum enables teachers to tailor content to other subjects in the curriculum and the current context.
- Our curriculum is evidence-informed through rigorous application of best practice and the science of learning.
- We prioritise creating a diverse curriculum by committing to diversity in teaching and teachers, and the language, texts and media we use, so all pupils feel positively represented.
- Creating an accessible curriculum that addresses the needs of all pupils is achieved by accessibility guidelines and requirements.
Our Computing Overview:
Our computing curriculum aims to ensure our pupils:
- become digitally literate;
- stay safe and responsible online;
- understand the fundamentals of computer science;
- develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills;
- are prepared for the future digital world.
To achieve these aims, our computing curriculum is carefully tailored using a variety of respected and well-known sources that are evidence-informed and are created by educators with vast experience in computing. Our curriculum focuses on three key strands: Online safety, Digital Literacy and Coding.
At Broadfields, we also use technology to enhance children’s learning across the school curriculum.
Disciplinary Knowledge:
The building blocks of coding in the EYFS
Children explore coding through play and WOW Wednesday carpet sessions in the early years.
Coding in KS1
Children in KS1 use Scratch Jr. for block coding. Additionally, children explore the functions of a coding bot, write simple algorithms, and are introduced to debugging.
Coding in KS2
Children in KS2 use Scratch for block coding. For physical computing, we use Ozobots in Year 3, Crumbles in Year 5 and Micro:bits in Years 4 and 6. The applications used for physical computing support block coding. These lessons are built upon the children’s prior knowledge and skills.
