Teaching key stage 1 computing - residential CP001

Develop your confidence to teach the whole key stage 1 computing curriculum successfully.

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Summary

Teaching computing at key stage 1 presents unique challenges due to the young age of the pupils. You must balance the foundational principles of computing with engaging and age-appropriate teaching methods, whilst also ensuring pupils have the digital skills to access the lessons and devices. In this two day residential, we explore best practice in key stage 1 computing to build a strong foundation for your pupils computing education.

Day one is an opportunity to dive deeper into structuring effective computing lessons for key stage one, ensuring you build on what pupils have learned in EYFS. Delve into the computing exposure pupils may have encountered already, building on their existing skills to ensure strong early computing foundations. Explore opportunities to support digital skills essential for navigating the broader computing curriculum. Discover strategic lesson organisation to maximise pupil outcomes, balancing small group interactions with whole-class engagements.

On day two, you will deepen your understanding of algorithms and programming within the Key Stage 1 curriculum, providing you with the tools and knowledge to teach these concepts with confidence. Through unpicking the National Curriculum, you will better understand how programming is taught effectively in Key Stage One. You will develop a deeper understanding of computational thinking and the importance of understanding vocabulary related to programming. 

Across the two days, you’ll complete the following courses:

• Foundations for effective computing in key stage 1
• Algorithms and programming in key stage 1

Completing this CPD will contribute towards recognised certification through the Teach primary computing certificate. You'll be supported along the way by your peers and experienced teaching professionals.

Residential information:

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education.

This is a residential course at the National STEM Learning Centre, York. Meals and overnight accommodation are included for participants for the duration of the course. 

If you wish to extend your stay in York, bed and breakfast will be available at the centre’s on-site accommodation at a discounted rate of £45+VAT per night. You can email reception@stem.org.uk to secure this rate, providing their course booking information and confirming the night(s) they would like to stay.

Who is it for?

Primary classroom teachers and computing leads looking to develop their subject knowledge and teaching approaches in Key Stage 1 computing.

How will you learn?

Expert guidance from experienced and knowledgeable teachers of primary computing.

Discussion with the course Professional Development Leader and other participants ensuring you have confidence in your understanding, and can consider computing in the context of your own school.

Hands-on experiential learning, undertaking activities that can be used back in the classroom and shared with colleagues.

How long is this course?

This residential is two days in duration. You’ll complete approx. 12 hours of CPD.

Outcomes

By the end of this CPD package, you will be able to:

• Understand the benefits of unplugged approaches in the KS1 classroom
• Understand how to best organise a KS1 classroom to encourage and foster children’s computational skills  
• Understand how to best utilise in opportunities for scaffolded guided group work, independent learning and continuous provision into KS1 computing 
• Deliver computing lessons in KS1 using effective pedagogies. 
• Explain how computational thinking underpins programming and other computing activities  
• Understand how unplugged activities can support early programming understanding  
• Use floor robots and screen-based software to teach programming in KS1  

Notes

By booking on this course you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the National Centre for Computing Education. These can be found here https://teachcomputing.org/privacy.html