Computing
St Edward’s Values: Thankfulness, Forgiveness, Compassion, Perseverance, Courage, Friendship
‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10)
Computing Curriculum at St Edward’s
Intent
‘Whether you want to uncover the secrets of the universe, or you want to pursue a career in the 21st century, basic computer programming is an essential skill to learn.’ Stephen Hawking
Computing is a subject that will equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology and provides insights in to both natural and artificial systems.
At St Edward’s we want our pupils to be masters of technology. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in children’s lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our children to understand that there is always a choice with using technology and as a school we utilise technology (i.e. social media) to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of the issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education.
At St. Edward’s we recognise that technology can allow children to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our children. Our knowledge rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for children to apply their knowledge creatively, which will in turn help our children become skilful computer scientists.
Coverage
We deliver the National Curriculum via the Purple Mash scheme of work. The progression of National Curriculum objectives is detailed in the Computing Curriculum Roadmap attached.
We also encourage staff to try to embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We want our children to be fluent with a range of tools to best express their understanding and hope by upper key stage 2 children have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set by teachers.
Overview:
Computers are now part of everyday life. For most of us, technology is essential to our lives, at home and at work. ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill children at St Edward's C of E must be taught if they are to be ready for the workplace and able to participate effectively in this digital world.
Digital literacy
Digital literacy forms the backbone of the ICT curriculum at St Edward's C of E Primary School. Children develop ICT skills that can thoughtfully be applied in a range of different situations, with children developing increasing independence in the choices they make over which technology to use to help them reach the desired outcome. As they progress through KS1 and KS2 children will become increasingly confident in the application of their digital skills, becoming increasingly efficient and effective communicators, collaborators and analysts, showing imagination and creativity in their use of ICT in different aspects of their learning and life beyond school.
Technology in the world
Children should develop an understanding of how technology makes a difference in all aspects of life- at home, at school and in the workplace, as well as considering the impact technology has had on society over the years.
Children will, for example, develop an awareness of how different technology is used in the world around us (KS1) and begin to evaluate web pages, software and applications and use this evaluation in the planning of their own digital resources.
Technical understanding
Children develop the knowledge and understanding of how technology works.
This extends from an awareness that there is ‘something inside’ a piece of technology to make it work, for example, Year Three will explore how a computer is made of different components, learning about graphics processors and Central Processing Units. Progressing through KS1 and KS2 to children creating their own simple programs including games and applications with exposure to computer codes and scripts.
Online Safety
Online safety is a fundamental element of ICT teaching and technology. We have a separate Online Safety policy, and Online Safety sessions take place at the beginning of every new unit of Computing as well as in PSHE lessons.
At St Edward's children have weekly lessons in the ICT suite. We use the Purple Mash scheme of work . In this scheme children at St Edward's will learn how computers and computer systems work; they will design and build programs, develop their ideas using technology and create a range of content.
After the implementation of the computing curriculum, children at St Edward'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.