Computing

INTENT 

At All Saints Catholic Primary School, we understand that it is essential for pupils to understand modern information and communication technologies, and for them to use these skills to become responsible, competent, confident and creative participants of an increasingly digital world. Our computing curriculum is designed to be easy to follow, with logical sequenced steps that will equip all children with the essential skills and knowledge they need to use technology safely and creatively. When planning we ensure that children can build on their understanding, as each new concept is taught with opportunities for children to consolidate and reapply their skills and knowledge throughout the year. Each computing unit is planned to provide new challenges and variety, to ensure we keep the child’s interest at a maximum. Through teaching Computing, we aim to equip children to participate in a rapidly-changing world that is controlled and transformed by technology. We believe safety is paramount. We promote and model a balanced digital life, recognising that amongst the many positives that technology has to offer, risks exist and children need to be taught to manage their digital lives properly. It is our intention to enable the children to develop the skills necessary to be able to use information in a discriminating and effective way. Our Computing curriculum should be relevant to the pupils’ lives and reflect the increase in computing, preparing children for a life where technology surrounds them.

IMPLEMENTATION 

At All Saints, we recognise the fact that the effectiveness of any resource is dependent upon how and why it is being used. We believe that the appropriate use of good quality resources will enhance good teaching. Children have access to a wide range of resources, including iPads, laptops and chrome books. School follow the Knowsley Scheme of Work to ensure there is a clear progression of skills fully embedded across both key stages and early years. Computing is used to enhance other areas of the curriculum through cross-curricular topics. This could be the use of research as Historians in History, presenting data in Maths and Science or exploring images in Art through digital media.

The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group through termly topics, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming in Key Stage 2, where they design, write and debug programs, explaining the thinking behind their algorithms.

IMPACT 

Our approach to the curriculum results in a fun, engaging, and high-quality computing education. The quality of children’s learning is evident on Seesaw and in Book Creator, digital platforms where pupils can share and evaluate their own work, as well as that of their peers. Evidence such as this is used to feed into teachers’ future planning, where teachers are able to revisit misconceptions and knowledge gaps in computing when teaching other curriculum areas. This supports varied paces of learning and ensures all pupils make good progress. Our school encourages discussions between staff and pupils to help the children best understand their progress and their next steps. Much of the subject-specific knowledge developed in our computing lessons equip pupils with experiences which will benefit them in secondary school, further education and future workplaces. From research methods, use of presentation and creative tools and critical thinking, computing at All Saints gives children the building blocks that enable them to pursue a wide range of interests and vocations in the next stage of their lives.

Computing

INTENT 

At All Saints Catholic Primary School, we understand that it is essential for pupils to understand modern information and communication technologies, and for them to use these skills to become responsible, competent, confident and creative participants of an increasingly digital world. Our computing curriculum is designed to be easy to follow, with logical sequenced steps that will equip all children with the essential skills and knowledge they need to use technology safely and creatively. When planning we ensure that children can build on their understanding, as each new concept is taught with opportunities for children to consolidate and reapply their skills and knowledge throughout the year. Each computing unit is planned to provide new challenges and variety, to ensure we keep the child’s interest at a maximum. Through teaching Computing, we aim to equip children to participate in a rapidly-changing world that is controlled and transformed by technology. We believe safety is paramount. We promote and model a balanced digital life, recognising that amongst the many positives that technology has to offer, risks exist and children need to be taught to manage their digital lives properly. It is our intention to enable the children to develop the skills necessary to be able to use information in a discriminating and effective way. Our Computing curriculum should be relevant to the pupils’ lives and reflect the increase in computing, preparing children for a life where technology surrounds them.

IMPLEMENTATION 

At All Saints, we recognise the fact that the effectiveness of any resource is dependent upon how and why it is being used. We believe that the appropriate use of good quality resources will enhance good teaching. Children have access to a wide range of resources, including iPads, laptops and chrome books. School follow the Knowsley Scheme of Work to ensure there is a clear progression of skills fully embedded across both key stages and early years. Computing is used to enhance other areas of the curriculum through cross-curricular topics. This could be the use of research as Historians in History, presenting data in Maths and Science or exploring images in Art through digital media.

The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group through termly topics, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming in Key Stage 2, where they design, write and debug programs, explaining the thinking behind their algorithms.

IMPACT 

Our approach to the curriculum results in a fun, engaging, and high-quality computing education. The quality of children’s learning is evident on Seesaw and in Book Creator, digital platforms where pupils can share and evaluate their own work, as well as that of their peers. Evidence such as this is used to feed into teachers’ future planning, where teachers are able to revisit misconceptions and knowledge gaps in computing when teaching other curriculum areas. This supports varied paces of learning and ensures all pupils make good progress. Our school encourages discussions between staff and pupils to help the children best understand their progress and their next steps. Much of the subject-specific knowledge developed in our computing lessons equip pupils with experiences which will benefit them in secondary school, further education and future workplaces. From research methods, use of presentation and creative tools and critical thinking, computing at All Saints gives children the building blocks that enable them to pursue a wide range of interests and vocations in the next stage of their lives.