Computing

Intent

At St Peter’s School, we aim to prepare our children for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever-changing digital world. Computing knowledge and understanding is increasingly important and we believe that a stimulating Computing curriculum that focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety will create motivated and competent independent learners. Our overall intention is for pupils to have a broad and balanced curriculum in which they all understand how to use technology in a safe environment. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during children’s time at St Peter’s to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed. Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross-curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school, but also as members of a wider community and as responsible digital citizens. 

Implementation

We teach the National Curriculum by following a tailored scheme supported by 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. It has been designed to introduce children to a variety of programmes and online scenarios whilst covering all the National Curriculum objectives. 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 digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe and appropriate use of computing and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems. Within information technology, children learn to use and develop their ideas through their creative use of computing, for example writing and presenting information as well as exploring art and design using multimedia or using search technologies. 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. It gives all children the opportunity to learn basic computer programming, from simple floor or onscreen robots in Year 3 right up to creating on-screen computer games and programmes by Year 6, using programming software such as Scratch or 2Code. Online safety is at the heart of everything we do in Computing lessons and whenever we access technology across the curriculum.

We use both iPads and computers to teach computing across all year groups. We currently run an iPad scheme offering all pupils who join the school the chance to use an iPad at both school and home.

        

Impact

By the time children leave St Peter’s, they will be competent, safe and responsible users of computing technology and will have understand the fundamental principles of computer science. They would have developed skills to express themselves and be creative in using digital media. We aim for children to have developed resilience, so that they are equipped to evaluate and apply their skills in computing and to different challenges they may face in the future.

Primary Computing National Curriculum