Computing
Our vision is to provide an excellent, well-rounded education which celebrates academic, emotional and spiritual achievement and prepares everyone to fulfil their full potential in an inclusive environment in God’s world.
"We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher’s hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world.” - David Warlick
As stated in the National Curriculum Purpose of Study for Computing; ‘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’.
At St. George’s, our Computing curriculum is underpinned by the above statement and we believe that computation is an essential part of children’s development throughout the school, from our youngest children through to the young adults we hand over to the next phase of their lifelong journey.
Therefore, the computing scheme of work is designed with three strands which run throughout:
• Computer science
• Information technology
• Digital literacy
Our curriculum overview shows which of our units cover each of the National Curriculum attainment targets as well as each of these strands. Our progression of skills shows the skills that are taught within each year group and how these skills develop year on year to ensure attainment targets are securely met by the end of each key stage.
Intent
At St. George’s, we aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever-changing digital world. Knowledge and understanding of ICT is of increasing importance for children’s future both at home and for employment. Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during children’s time in school to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed. Throughout our computing teaching, we promote an ‘I can do’ philosophy in which we aim to develop ‘growth mindset’ attitudes. Children are reminded that it is acceptable to get the wrong answers and even experience difficulties when faced with challenges and anything new or unfamiliar. Teachers use these experiences to address mistakes and misconceptions as an essential part of learning to build resilience and enables the children to learn in a curious and safe environment, which in turn allows all children to flourish.
Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school. At our school, our approach is to provide all children full access to the curriculum in order to achieve their full potential. This also includes our SEND children who have challenging activities provided for them suited to their needs.
We strive to help children apply their skills and knowledge in a range of different contexts in the wider world and we want all of our children to develop confidence as geographers, experience success and recognise the enjoyment which computing can bring.
Implementation
Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. 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. Also, to analyse problems to computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. We also teach a progression of Computing vocabulary to support children in their understanding.
At St. George’s, 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 within each Computing lesson as well as being taught as a unit each year. Online safety procedures are communicated with all staff and parents.
Impact
The impact of St. George’s computing scheme can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives and each unit has a unit quiz and a knowledge catcher at the end of a unit. After the implementation of St. George’s Computing, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in the ever-increasing digital world.
The expected impact of following St. George’s Academy Computing scheme of work is that children will:
• Be critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future.
• Understand the importance that computing will have going forward in both their educational and working life and in their social and personal futures.
• Understand how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner.
• Understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity. They will know that a different type of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims.
• Show clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National Curriculum - computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
• Be able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team. • Be aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible and appropriate manner.
• Have an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another.
• Meet the end of Key Stage expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for Computing
