Computing Curriculum Intent, Impact and implementation statement

We aim to create

Informed, Digital, Leaders

 

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.

Aims and Objectives

Computing helps to prepare children for the developing world. The subject encourages children to develop an understanding of how technology makes a difference in all aspects of life- at home, at school and in the workplace, as well as considering the impact technology has had on society over the years.

 Children should develop Computing skills that can thoughtfully applied in a range of different situations, with children developing increasing independence in the choices they make over which technology to use to help them reach the desired outcome.

As they progress through KS1 and 2 children will become increasing confident in the application of their digital skills, becoming increasingly efficient and effective communicators, collaborators and analysts, showing imagination and creativity in their use of ICT in different aspects of their learning and life beyond school.

Teaching and Learning

Within both KS1 and KS2 this curriculum should be covered primarily through day-day teaching and making use of the range of technology which is available within school.

Across Key Stages 1 and 2, an hour session each week should be timetabled for each class. In this session there should be a focus on contextual skill development and these sessions should provide experiences which can then be applied in other work.

The school uses the ‘Rising Stars – Switched on Computing’ Scheme of work, focusing on Digital Literacy, Information Technology and Computer Science. To help ensure children have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills, experiences and competencies with technology, the curriculum has been broken down into 6 key areas, with the core principles permeating through each area.

• Algorithms
• Programming & Development
• Data & Data Representation
• Hardware & Processing
• Communications & Networks
• Information Technology

The coverage of each area will vary year group by year group, with some areas being covered primarily in KS1 and others primarily in KS2. The emphasis on Programming increases as children move through St Chad’s Primary School. 

It is important that technology is used as a day-day element of school life and across all subject areas, therefore if opportunities to use ICT arise which do not fall within the curriculum for each year group they should be taken advantage of.

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and British Values

Collaborative work in Computing develops mutual respect for the differing opinions, beliefs and abilities of others. In addition, children develop a respect for the resources used and understand the importance of looking after them. They learn to appreciate the value of similarities and differences and learn to show tolerance. A variety of experiences teaches them to appreciate that all people – and their views – are equally important. Children are encouraged to work in a democratic way, exercising the ‘give and take’ required for successful teamwork, this is particularly true of topics which require children to work in groups to research or to design and create a product. Computing also enables children to appreciate the importance of staying safe online and respecting others.