Computing is an integral part of modern-day life and therefore provides a wealth of learning opportunities, explicitly within the subject of computing and also across other curriculum subjects, in particular, mathematics, science, and design and technology. The core of the computing curriculum 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. Progressing from this, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils express themselves and develop their ideas as active participants in our digital world. Ultimately, we want children to know more, remember more and understand more so that they leave primary school computer literate.
Statement of Intent
At St. Joseph’s we deliver a high-quality computing education that equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. 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.
Pupils will be able to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. Also, they will be able to analyse problems in computational terms and have practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
Building on their knowledge and understanding, pupils will be able to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. They will be able to evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems. Our Computing curriculum also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use and express themselves, developing their ideas through information and communication technology.
We aim for the pupils to be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. Wherever possible, we link computing with other subjects.
Curriculum Implementation
At St. Joseph’s computing is taught in discrete computing lessons, mapped out across the year. Each year groups are taught six units (one per half term). Our scheme of work for Computing is adapted from the ‘Teach Computing’ Curriculum and covers all aspects of the National Curriculum. This scheme was chosen as it has been created by subject experts and based on the latest pedagogical research. It provides an innovative progression framework where computing content (concepts, knowledge, skills and objectives) has been organised into interconnected networks called learning graphs.
The curriculum aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future. The curriculum can be broken down into 3 strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy, with the aims of the curriculum reflecting this distinction.
The units for key stages 1 and 2 are based on a spiral curriculum, where themes are revisited regularly (at least once in each year group), and pupils revisit each theme through a new unit that consolidates and builds on prior learning within that theme. This is to ensure connections are made across years as well as reducing knowledge lost through forgetting over consecutive years. Where appropriate, meaningful links will be made between the computing curriculum and the wider curriculum and pupils will be given plentiful opportunities to apply their skills.
Our Computing Curriculum is both inclusive and ambitious. Each lesson is sequenced so that it builds on the learning from the previous lesson, and where appropriate, activities are scaffolded so that all pupils can succeed and thrive. Scaffolded activities provide pupils with extra resources, such as visual prompts, to reach the same learning goals as the rest of the class. Exploratory tasks foster a deeper understanding of a concept, encouraging pupils to apply their learning in different contexts and make connections with other learning experiences.
In computing lessons, the children will use either the iPad or Chrome Book in order to access a range of apps and software. ‘Unplugged’ lessons will also be taught so that the pupils understand the wider implications of computing. Pupils are also given many opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge to other areas of the curriculum, for example, when producing presentations, using QR codes or researching using the internet at several points across their weekly lessons.
To aid the implementation of the computing curriculum, we have a variety of hardware available to all classes, including:
- iPad
- Chromebooks
- desktop computers
