Computing

Intent

The computing curriculum at Christleton Primary School is designed to give pupils appropriate experiences to develop as confident, responsible online citizens. In our modern world, our children are exposed to a range of online games and content, and as a result, need to understand the dangers and risks and how to act safely online. Our children need to learn about the wider range and powerful uses of computing and be inspired by the possibilities they present. As immersive technologies and applications evolve, our curriculum will prepare children and equip them with the skills for a future workplace, which at present, cannot be determined. Our aim is to provide opportunities for children to develop as inquisitive, independent, confident, successful learners with high aspirations; who make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society through the use of computing.

We encourage staff to embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils 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.

Implementation

We have  a comprehensive progression document and scheme of work for staff to follow to best embed and cover every element of the computing curriculum. The skills statements build year on year to deepen and challenge our learners. The curriculum is planned around strands of study and final tasks can themed for each year group, allowing for meaningful learning experiences that build on the children’s wider learning.  

 We enable children to find, explore, analyse and program information through the use computers, iPads and programmable robots. Children are taught the principles of information and computation, how systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in a selective and effective way. The skills are taught with a structured approach and we recognise that children are entitled to quality hardware and software.

Impact

We want children to understand the reasoning and purpose behind what they learn. We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. We want learners to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well being. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style both now, and in their futures. We feel the way we implement computing helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can continue to build on in their next stage of education and beyond. We encourage regular discussions between staff and pupils to best embed and understand this. The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work shows the impact of our curriculum. We also look for evidence through reviewing pupil’s knowledge and skills digitally through tools like Seesaw and observing learning regularly. Progress of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through outcomes.

By the end of key stage 1 pupils are taught to:

• Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions.
• Create and debug simple programs
• Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
• Use technology purposefully to create, organize, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
• Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
• 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.

By the end of Key Stage 2 pupils are taught to:

• Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
• Use sequence, selection and repetition in programs; work with variable and various forms of input and output
• Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
• Understand computer network including the internet; how they can provide multiple services such as the world wide web and the opportunities they offer
• Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked and be discerning in evaluating digital content
• Select, use and combine a variety of software on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
• Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact

Please click the icon opposite for Pupil Voice related to computng.

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