Computing Curriculum

A high-quality computing education equips 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 into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.’ (National Curriculum, 2014)

Aims

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

- can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation

- can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems

- can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems

- are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

Curriculum Intent

At St. Martin’s C of E (VA) Primary School, we recognise that children need to experience the four elements of computing advocated within the National Curriculum. We believe this will enable children to not only use technology, but to understand it, create with it and prepare them for the constantly evolving digital world in which they live. The knowledge and skills taught within the curriculum supports the children to develop their sense of self, sense of others and sense of the world. Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning, to engage children and enrich their experiences in school.

Curriculum Implementation

At St. Martin’s we teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. To ensure a broad range of skills and understanding, Computing is taught across three main strands: digital literacy, computer science and information technology. As part of information technology, children learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through ICT for example writing and presenting as well as exploring art and design using multimedia. Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems for example understanding safe use of internet, networks and email. In computer science, we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. We also teach a progression of Computing vocabulary to support children in their understanding. We give children access to a wide range of good quality resources and provide cross curricular opportunities for children to apply their Computing knowledge and skills. Online safety is taught continuously throughout each taught unit of work, in addition to a dedicated unit of work around e-safety and safety procedures are communicated with all staff and parents where necessary.

Curriculum Impact

Our Computing Curriculum at St. Martin’s aims to give our pupils the life-skills that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way in order to flourish. We want our pupils to be able to operate in the 21st century workplace and be aware of the career opportunities that will be open to them, if they study computing. Children become autonomous, independent users of various computing technologies, gaining confidence and enjoyment from their activities. Technology supports learning across the entire curriculum and ensures that our curriculum is accessible to every child.

Computing Subject Lead: Mr I. Smith