Intent

At Barlby we look to provide out students with a high-quality computing education to equip them to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. In lessons teachers will help them understand how digital systems work, how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Our curriculum supports our students to use information technology responsibly to create programs, systems and a range of content for a digital world.

Implementation

At Barlby Primary School, the Kapow Computing scheme is implemented through a well-structured, practical and enquiry-based approach that builds computer knowledge and skills over time. The scheme is split over 3 main strands of Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. These are then split into 5 main areas of study to ensure children are developing a secure foundation of computing. Computer systems and networks - Identifying hardware and using software, while exploring how computers communicate and connect to one another. Programming - Understanding that a computer operates on algorithms, and learning how to write, adapt and debug code to instruct a computer to perform set tasks. Creating media - Learning how to use various devices — record, capture and edit content such as videos, music, pictures and photographs. Data handling - Ensuring that information is collected, recorded, stored, presented and analysed in a manner that is useful and can help to solve problems. Online safety - Understanding the benefits and risks of being online — how to remain safe, keep personal information secure and recognising when to seek help in difficult situations. The curriculum uses a spiral model, revisiting key themes like programming and safety, allowing pupils to make connections across topics. Lessons are engaging and varied, with opportunities for pupils to create their own programs and media, supported by adapted teaching. This approach ensures that all pupils develop a secure foundation in history, preparing them for future learning.

Impact

The impact of Kapow Primary’s scheme can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils understanding against the learning objectives. Furthermore, each unit has a list of key vocabulary which can be used at the end of the unit to provide a summative assessment of children’s understandings. After the implementation of Kapow Primary Computing, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education. They will be empowered learners who ask questions to further their learning and can make suggestions about how to find solutions to the problem. They will be analytical and systematically when approaching tasks.

The expected impact of following the Kapow Computing scheme of work is that children will:

• to be able to design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems or solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.
• use sequencing, selection, and repetition in their own programs; working with variables and various forms of input and output.
• use their own logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs.
• understand what computer networks, including the internet, are; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
• use search technologies effectively, appreciating how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
• select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on different digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.
• use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.