What is Computing?

At St. Andrew’s, we believe that Computing at is the understanding of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming and systems.

 Through the eyes of our children, Computing is important because:

‘It helps us to express ourselves and develop our ideas through, information and communication technology so that when we become adults, we can use our computing skills to successfully live, learn and work.’  

Early Years

Nursery:

Children will have access to toys such as remote control cars, simple toy tills, Interactive White Board and so on, as well as learning about online safety.

Reception:

Children will use a range of technology as part of their learning provision as well as learning about online safety.

For example, a PC and iPad with age appropriate programmes such as the 2Simple software.  Interactive screens will also be used as a teaching tool. 

National Curriculum

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to understand and change the world through logical thinking and creativity, including by making links with mathematics, science, and design and technology. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, and how digital systems work. Computing equips pupils to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of media. It 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.

Curriculum Intent

At St. Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, we aim to provide our children with the skills and creativity to understand and change the world. Our children make links with Mathematics, Science and Design and Technology to support them in understanding computer systems. We aim for our children to be digitally literate on a range of digital systems so they can be active participants for their future workplace and as active participants in the digital world.

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.

Implementation

The teaching and implementation of the Computing curriculum at St. Andrew’s C.E. Primary School is based on the Early Learning Goals and National Curriculum; it is supported by expectations from Chris Quigley Milestones, ensuring a well-structured approach.

Our children are taught Computing using a range of software including Word, PowerPoint, Publisher and Excel as well as a range of online resources such as Education City and Scratch.  This software enables children to be taught effective computing skills for life in word process and formula writing alongside more specific skills in coding and programming.  When being taught in our ICT suite, each child has access to the internet and is taught how to use it appropriately and safely alongside how search engines and websites operate. Internet safety is taught regularly at an age appropriate level and forms the basis of all Computing learning. Children are also taught about vocabulary linked to computing. Computing is also cross-curricular, progressing children's learning in other areas of the curriculum.

At St. Andrew’s, we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Computing curriculum through well planned and resourced projects and experiences. We have determined that Computing will taught in bespoke units across the school year as well as being accessed within other curriculum subjects as appropriate.. During Computing units, our children draw upon subject knowledge and skills across the breadth of the curriculum. Through the evaluation of past and present technology they can reflect upon the impact of Computing on everyday life and the wider world.

Impact

By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the content, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study. At St. Andrew’s, at the end of each Computing unit of work, we use summative assessment (based on the objectives in the 2014 National Curriculum and outcomes from Chris Quigley Essentials) to determine children’s understanding and inform future planning.