Computing

Intent

At St Martin de Porres Catholic Primary School, we want all students to be able to thrive as responsible, digital citizens. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in our pupils' lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our students on how to use technology positively and safely.

We want our pupils to be confident and competent using a range of technology and our broad computing curriculum includes computer science, digital literacy and online safety. We encourage staff to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our SEND pupils.

By the end of Key Stage 2, we want all children to be flexible, creative, responsible and confident users of technology, who are able to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set.

At St Martin de Porres, we recognise that a secure understanding of computing is essential for our children in order to prepare them for life in the digital age. We have invested in a wide range of resources that will enable our children to thrive and stay safe in an online world.

Implementation

We use the Purple Mash scheme of work for the following reasons:

1. To ensure a robust and consistent approach to planning and implementation across the key stages

2. Long term planning for each year group which maps out the units of work covered with clear evidence of progression through the skills.

3. Use of software provides children with the opportunity to use and apply the skills they have developed throughout the year, with opportunities for cross-curricular links children will recognise that Computing skills have purpose and meaning.

4. Providing teachers with the necessary tools to deliver the curriculum including physical resources and CPD.

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. The learning environment will feature computing scenarios based on experience in the real world, such as in role play. Children will explore and gain confidence, control and language skills through opportunities to ‘paint’ on the interactive board/devices or control remotely operated toys. Outdoor exploration, is an important aspect where computing/electronic programmable toys will be incorporated into the learning. Recording devices will be used to develop communication skills.

Key Stage 1

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.

Key Stage 2

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

Within Computing we encourage a creative and collaborative environment in which pupils can learn to express and challenge themselves. The success of the curriculum itself will be assessed via the analysis of yearly progress data, conducting regular pupil voice sessions, lesson observations and skills audits. This will then inform future adaptions of the schemes of work and help to ensure that progression is evident throughout school.

In order to demonstrate that we have accomplished our aims, pupils at St Martin de Porres should:

Be enthusiastic and confident in their approach towards Computing.
Present as competent and adaptable ‘Computational Thinkers’ who are able to use identified concepts and approaches in all areas of their learning.
Be able to identify the source of problems and work with perseverance to ‘debug’ them.
Create and evaluate their own project work.
Have a secure understanding of the positive applications and specific risks associated with a broad range of digital technology.
Transition to secondary school with a keen interest in the continued learning of this subject.