ICT
RATIONALE
Our ICT curriculum at Cloughwood Academy is carefully designed to meet the needs of pupils in a specialist provision who are working significantly below age-related expectations. Pupils have experienced disrupted and negative experiences in mainstream education. Many arrive with gaps in their understanding of computing and low confidence in their abilities.
ICT at Cloughwood Academy is underpinned by six components:
- Digital Literacy: Providing students with the opportunity to safely explore a range of digital tools and platforms.
- Self-Confidence: Developing communication skills, challenging oneself, and evaluating digital work.
- Exploration: Encouraging students to explore different digital tools and ideas, and to recognise teachable moments from their challenges and introducing them to potential career paths in technology.
- Technical Skills: Using a variety of software and hardware tools to develop fine motor skills and technical proficiency.
- Empowering students to become effective digital citizens and thrive in our digital world.
- The impact of Technology on different cultures, individuals, systems and society as a whole and learning about influential figures in the tech industry.
INTENT
Our ICT curriculum aims to empower students with essential digital skills, fostering independence and confidence in using technology. We strive to:
- Develop digital literacy, ensuring students can safely and effectively navigate the digital world.
- Enhance communication skills through various digital platforms.
- Encourage problem-solving and critical thinking through engaging and interactive ICT activities.
- Empower our students with the skills required to stay safe in a digital world.
IMPLEMENTATION
At Cloughwood Academy, we follow the ‘Purple Mash’ scheme of work which covers all aspects of the National Curriculum. This scheme was chosen as it has been created by subject experts and based on the latest pedagogical research to expose students to a variety of software, programs, and equipment in order to offer a range of appropriate challenges and experiences.
All pupils receive 2 lessons of ICT per week. In addition, elements of computing may be present in other subject lessons. Students are allowed to progress according to their demonstrated understanding, not their age.
The curriculum aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future.
This scheme of work gives full coverage of the national curriculum for computing aims to ensure 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.
IMPACT
Our ICT curriculum aims to empower students to become effective digital citizens and thrive in our digital world.
By providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge, we ensure they can confidently apply technology in their everyday lives.
This curriculum enhances digital literacy and promotes cultural understanding, preparing students for a future where technology plays a pivotal role.