At St Mary’s First School we recognise that pupils are living in a rapidly changing world, in which computing is playing an ever increasing role. Therefore, we aim to equip children with the skills they need to adapt to new technology and to give them confidence to use information technology and computing skills to further their learning and assist them in everyday life. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use IT to create programs, systems and a range content on a variety of technologies.

Intent

Our computing curriculum ensures that pupils become digitally literate. This means they will be able to use IT, express themselves and develop their ideas at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. We are preparing our children for a computerised world that does not yet exist. We want to give our children the skills to navigate this world and the resilience and understanding to keep safe whilst they do so.

We want to equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity that will enable them to become active participants in the digital world. We teach them to develop determination and resilience when faced with challenges ensuring they have the skills to overcome these. It is important to us that the children understand how to use the ever-changing technology available to express themselves, as tools for learning and as a means to drive their generation forward into the future. We ensure that children understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with online experiences, so they can develop as resilient, respectful, responsible and confident users of technology, aware of measures that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe online.

Implementation

The curriculum has been taken from The National Centre for Computing Excellence (NCCE) and is designed to incorporate the use of different technologies and software such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Scratch, Paint and some online applications. We ensure children are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information technology. The use of information technology is an integral part of the national curriculum and is a key skill for everyday life. Laptops, iPads, floor robots, and digital cameras are a few of the technologies that can be used to acquire, organize, store, manipulate, interpret, communicate and present information. We recognize that pupils are entitled to quality hardware and software and a structured and progressive approach to the learning of the skills needed to enable them to use it effectively. All teaching ensures children have opportunities to develop computational thinking concepts, including abstraction, logical thinking, algorithms and debugging.

Computing contributes to teaching and learning in all curriculum areas. For example, digital painting links in closely with work in art, and work using databases and programming supports work in mathematics. While the Internet proves very useful for research in all subjects. Computing enables children to present their information and conclusions in the most appropriate way.

Computing is made available to all children, whatever their ability. It forms part of our school curriculum policy to provide a broad and balanced education for all children. We provide learning opportunities that are matched to the needs of children with SEND. In some instances, the use of computing has a considerable impact on the quality of work that children produce; it increases their confidence and motivation. When planning work in computing, we can consider the targets in the children’s learning passports. The use of computing can help children in achieving their targets and progressing in their learning.

Impact

Children are prepared for the additional access to technology that the next part of their learning journey will bring them. They can critically evaluate information knowing what information is relevant, reliable and accurate. They can use their knowledge to improve and modify these where appropriate. Most importantly, they know how to stay safe both inside and outside of school and understand how to be respectful whilst online. They are aware of the links between appropriate behaviour off-line and how these attributes must be adhered to in online situations. They have the key skills to build on and develop for the ever-changing future.

Computing Policy

Computing Vocabulary List

Computing Progression of Skills