Computing

Computing

Intent – How we have designed our Computing Curriculum.

When planning and teaching computing at St Mary’s, we believe that computing not only stands alone but is woven and should be an integral part of all learning.  Computing, in general, is a significant part of everyone’s daily life and children should be at the forefront of new technology, with a thirst for learning what is out there.  Computing within schools can therefore provide a wealth of learning opportunities and transferrable skills explicitly within the Computing lesson and across other curriculum subjects.

Through the study of Computing, children will be able to develop a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding that will actually equip them for the rest of their life.  Computers and technology are such a part of everyday life that our children would be at a disadvantage would they not be exposed to a thorough and robust Computing curriculum.  Children must be taught in the art form of ‘Computational Thinking’ in order to provide them essential knowledge that will enable them to participate effectively and safely in the digital world beyond school.

Implementation – How we deliver the Computing Curriculum.

EYFS

Children in Early Years provision will be exposed to the understanding of internet safety as they explore the world around them and how technology is an everyday part of their learning and understanding of the world.

KS1

In Key Stage 1 the children will learn to understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions. They will be taught to create and debug simple programs and use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs. They will be shown how to use a range of technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content as well as recognise common uses of information technology beyond school. They will be taught to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies. Each of these skills will be taught through exciting half termly units.

KS2

In Key Stage 2 the children will design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.  They will use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs, use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and correct errors in algorithms and programs. Children will be taught to understand computer networks, including the internet, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration. They will use search technologies effectively, learn to appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content. Children will be taught to select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals. They will use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

Impact

After the implementation of this computing curriculum, children at St Mary’s will be digitally literate and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform.  They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly – safely.  The biggest impact we want on our children is that they understand the consequences of using the internet and that they are also aware of how to keep themselves safe online.

As children become more confident in their abilities in Computing, they will become more independent and key life skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking and self-evaluation become second nature.

Computing Cycle A and B Long Term Plan

Computing Progression

Progression across key stages

All learning objectives have been mapped to the National Centre for Computing Education’s taxonomy of ten strands, which ensures that units build on each other from one key stage to the next.

Progression across year groups

Within the Teach Computing Curriculum, every year group learns through units within the same four themes, which combine the ten strands of the National Centre for Computing Education’s taxonomy.

This approach allows us to progress skills and concepts from one year group to the next.

Progression skills document

Computing Progression Skills

Special Educational Needs in Computing

Although a child may have been identified as having a special educational need, they may not have a special educational need in computing. Within Computing, we aspire to create inspiring, explorative lessons linked to engaging topics across the curriculum.  We strive to maintain an inclusive learning environment, working with additional adults and using multi-sensory approaches, including the use of technology, to explore and create, allowing pupils to express ideas and develop them.

When planning, we take into account pupils’ needs and celebrating individual expression, promoting positive attitudes. We set suitable learning challenges to overcome potential barriers to learning and assessment and modify the curriculum to remove barriers so all pupils meet the same objectives.

Throughout a sequence of lessons, we continue to develop adult-pupil communication to motivate, question, challenge and assess all children. The revisiting of techniques and processes helps to build skills and consolidate these to long term memory for our children’s progression into Key Stage 3. From an early age, we encourage our children to reflect on their own and others’ work, encouraging the use of specific terminology.

Computing at home

Alongside our computing at school, we have collated a variety of useful websites that can support parents and students with learning about computing from home.

• Barefoot (KS 1 and 2)
  Downloadable activities and games for children, links to live lessons and a guide for parents – includes cross-curricular lesson plans and resources that unpack computational thinking in a range of subjects.
• Code Club (KS 2)
  Projects and activities for home learning and a parent guide.
• Computing at School – Home Learning  (KS 1 and 2)
  Information and links to a range of at home computing activities.
• Raspberry Pi Foundation – Digital Making at Home (KS 2)
  Join the weekly code-along using open projects based on a weekly theme, with different levels available for all abilities, allowing you to be open-ended with opportunities for making and creativity.
• Raspberry Pi Foundation – Projects (KS 2)
  Projects and activities for home learning. Programme computers and make things with technology and electronics.
• STEM Learning e-Library (KS 1 and 2)
  An online resource bank, which links to resources on external websites. The site features a live chat function offering support from subject experts. New home learning resources are being developed.
• UK Safer Internet Centre (KS 1 and 2)
  Online safety resources aimed at 3 -11 year olds.