Teach Computing Curriculum: updates to the primary journey
According to recent surveys, an impressive 93% of teachers would recommend the Teach Computing Curriculum to their colleagues, a testament to its effectiveness and relevance. But that’s not all— 86% of you told us you've gotten more confident in teaching computing thanks to the Teach Computing Curriculum. As one teacher aptly put it: “Brilliant units. Clear, easy to follow. Gives great resources that everyone can access. Clear and in line with the national curriculum.”
We are proud of what the Teach Computing Curriculum has achieved so far. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t make it better! Alongside our annual survey, all our resources have a link to allow you to share your feedback. Based on your invaluable input, the Teach Computing Curriculum has been updated as of September to remain relevant, engaging, and effective. In this blog, we’ll outline the changes you requested and the updates made in response.
Latest updates
1) You asked for clearer information on coverage of online safety
The Teach Computing Curriculum covers the online safety requirements of the computing curriculum. However, we know that many schools choose to go above and beyond this and cover the Education for a Connected World framework. So, where elements of this are covered in our lessons, we’ve highlighted this in the unit guides. We’ve also added a little more coverage of online safety into our computer systems and networks units.
2) You asked for a clearer link to careers and the real world to help build cultural capital
We’ve updated numerous units to provide clearer links to careers within the lessons. For example, the Year 6 3D modelling unit now explicitly explores how architects use computer-aided design in their work. Alongside these lesson updates, we also have a team of Computing Ambassadors willing to support you as you further embed careers into your computing curriculum. Many of the key stage 2 unit guides now contain a prompt you can use to help you encourage a Computing Ambassador to come and support your lessons.
3) You asked for more information on adapting the Teach Computing curriculum for pupils with SEND
While 86% of you already feel that the Teach Computing Curriculum is effective at engaging pupils with special educational needs and disability (SEND), we aim to raise this percentage even higher. Our Gender and Inclusion specialists have produced guidance on adapting the Teach Computing Curriculum specifically for pupils with SEND. You’ll find this valuable resource in the key stage 1 and 2 teacher guides.
4) You asked for assessments for KS1
We’ve had lots of requests for assessments for the key stage 1 units like those in the key stage 2 units. You will now find that most key stage 1 units have a rubric to support you in assessing your pupils, with simple quizzes being introduced to two units in year two.
Alongside this, we have updated the multiple-choice quizzes, so they provide feedback to the pupils. On the paper versions, this is found on the answer sheet and can be shared verbally with pupils if you choose to mark the quizzes together. However, on the electronic versions, pupils will receive this feedback immediately upon selecting their answers.
5) You asked for clearer guidance on hardware and software
Each unit guide now contains information about the software and hardware used to create the unit, along with alternative options. We’ve also created a place over on STEM Community for you to share, or discover, units adapted by fellow teachers which use the alternative tools.
We hope you enjoy using the updated Teach Computing Curriculum, and we encourage you to continue providing feedback through the links on the lesson pages!