Computing

Intent
At our school we want pupils to become digitally literate and to be able to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in their lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely.

Our broad curriculum encompasses computer science, information technology and digital literacy. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice when using technology and, as a school, we utilise technology (the internet) to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues around technology/social media is through education. Building our knowledge of this subject will allow pupils to effectively demonstrate their learning through creative use of technology.   We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. Our knowledge-rich curriculum is balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively, which will in turn help our pupils to become skilful computer scientists.  Teaching staff are encouraged to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of tools to best express their understanding and hope every child will have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set by teachers.

Implementation
As children move through our school, they will be taught using a spiral curriculum model that builds on knowledge from previous years. Children will learn:

• About Digital Literacy, Information Technology and Computer Science.
• To develop knowledge and skills of digital systems and their applications, school values are promoted.
• To explore and respond to key issues such as digital communication, cyber-bullying, online safety, security, plagiarism and social media.
• The safe use of digital systems.
• Exploring the importance of online safety and the key issues associated with it.

Early Years
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of Computing through using technology to enrich different areas of the curriculum. Opportunities are planned within our curriculum for children to play games and use software programmes to enhance all areas of the curriculum, such as Maths and Phonics. Weekly group sessions are planned to teach children how to use software programmes such as 2simple, so children can develop their awareness of selecting and using icons and what they mean.

Impact
Within Computing we encourage a creative and collaborative environment in which pupils can learn to express and challenge themselves. The success of the curriculum itself will be assessed using a summative assessment (KS2), conducting pupil voice and staff surveys, lesson drop-ins and book scrutinies. This will then inform future adaptions of the schemes of work and help to ensure that progression is evident throughout school. 

In order to demonstrate that we have accomplished our aims, pupils at St George’s will be:

• Enthusiastic and confident in their approach towards computing.
• Present as competent and adaptable ‘Computational Thinkers’ who are able to use identified concepts and approaches in all areas of their learning.
• Be able to identify the source of problems and work with perseverance/resilience (school value) to ‘debug’ them.
• Create and evaluate their own work and others.
• Have a secure understanding of the positive applications and specific risks associated with a range of digital technology.
• Becoming increasingly efficient and effective communicators, collaborators and analysts,
• Showing imagination and creativity in their use of ICT in different aspects of their learning and life beyond school.
• E-safety and the risks involved when using the internet.
• Transition to secondary school with a keen interest in the continued learning of this subject.
• Children will be confident users of technology, able to use it to accomplish a wide variety of goals, both at home and in school.
• Children will have a secure and comprehensive knowledge of the implications of technology and digital systems.
• Children will be able to apply the British values of democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, rule of law and liberty when using digital systems.
• Children will be able to apply the School Values – resilience, empathy, gratitude and curiosity.