St Teresa's Catholic Primary School

Computing

"Be strong and courageous, do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you do."

- Joshua 1:9

Subject Leader: Miss Fisher

Supported by: SLT

Intent

Computing at St Teresa's intends to develop ‘thinkers of the future’ through a modern, ambitious and relevant education in Computing. We want to equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity that will enable them to become active participants in the digital world.

It is important to us that the children understand how to use the ever-changing technology to express themselves, as tools for learning and as a means to drive their generation forward into the future.

Whilst ensuring they understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with online experiences, we want children to develop as respectful, responsible and confident users of technology, aware of measures that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe online.

Our aim is to provide a Computing curriculum that is designed to balance acquiring a broad and deep knowledge alongside opportunities to apply skills in various digital contexts. 

Using our Purple-Mash Computing planning alongside The National Curriculum for computing we aim to ensure that all pupils:

At the end of KS1 children should be able 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, organise, 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.

At the end of KS2 children should be able 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 variables 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 networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration;
• 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 (including internet services) 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.

Implementation

Following the Purple Mash Curriculum, we have a  comprehensive progression document for staff to follow to best embed and cover every element of the Computing curriculum. This is updated every year following feedback with changes made to deepen understanding and challenge our learners.

Computing Long Term Plan.pdf

Computing Progression of Skills.pdf

Purple Mash Scheme of Learning Overview.pdf

Impact

At St Teresa's, we encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver.

We will constantly ask the 'why' behind their learning and not just the 'how'. 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.

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.

We look for evidence through reviewing pupil’s knowledge and skills and observing learning regularly. Progress of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through outcomes and the record of coverage in the process of achieving these outcomes.