Intent
At Wolsingham Primary School, we believe that Computing is an essential part of the curriculum; a subject that not only stands alone but should also be used throughout the curriculum and should be an integral part of all learning. Computing, in general, is a significant part of everyone’s daily life and children should be at the forefront of new technology, with a thirst for learning what is out there. It has also got deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. Computing within schools can therefore provide a wealth of learning opportunities and transferrable skills explicitly within the Computing lesson and across other curriculum subjects.
Through the study of Computing, children will be able to develop a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding that will equip them for the rest of their life. At the very core of computing is computer science, in which pupils will be taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Wolsingham Primary School also wants to build on this knowledge and understanding so that pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. The Computing curriculum should also ensure that pupils become digitally literate so they are 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. They should have the experience of a variety of different programmes and understand how these programmes can fulfil specific purposes. By the end of Upper Key Stage 2, we want our children to have the essential knowledge that will enable them to participate effectively and safely in the digital world and ready to access the Key Stage 3 curriculum.
At Wolsingham Primary School, we also take children’s online safety very seriously. Online safety lessons will be taught throughout the lessons in conjunction with independently taught lessons and as the need arises. If appropriate, teachers should consider ways in which the Computing Online Safety curriculum can also cover key safeguarding issues such as ‘upskirting’.
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
The Computing curriculum develops the priorities for pupils at Wolsingham Primary School in the following ways:
Basic skills – The Computing curriculum allows plenty of opportunities for children to develop their communication skills (particularly electronic means of communicating). It also provides children with the knowledge of software packages to develop their writing skills using technology e.g. developing editing skills. Mathematical skills are also taught through data gathering and presentation as well as through learning about spreadsheets.
Resilience and Perseverance – Children are encouraged to provide solutions for algorithms that do not work; to debug their own systems to reach an end goal point in their programming independently as well as learning to be resilient in matters of e-safety e.g. understanding what to do if a friendship breaks down because of online contact. It also encourages perseverance in using different types of technology and software, beginning to understand how skills from one piece of software can be used in a different programme.
Social Awareness – Our e-safety curriculum is designed to develop social awareness. Throughout the school, children are expected to develop an understanding of how to treat others online, understanding how messages can be taken that are posted on social media. In Upper Key Stage 2, this is also developed into thinking about how images can be manipulated to change self-image and promote a different look online. It is also designed to develop their tolerance of others.
Knowledge – Children are expected to develop their understanding and knowledge of different programmes and then this can be applied in other parts of the curriculum and their future lives to enhance learning and understanding e.g. developing an understanding of research and being able to use this in History or Geography or presentational skills to present writing using different media.
Implementation
At Wolsingham Primary School, we will ensure that each year and key stage build skills which provide the foundation for following year groups. We aim to ensure that children have a breadth of knowledge of different software, resources and formats which are taught based on appropriate level of difficulty for each individual year group. Key skills will be taught in a series of individual lessons which lead to a final product. Only once these lessons have been delivered, may teachers then use these skills as part of other lessons across the curriculum. As children develop their understanding of use of different applications, they should develop a greater independence in choosing an appropriate software to present their work.
Impact
As children progress through the Computing curriculum at Wolsingham Primary School they will:
- Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including logic, algorithms and data representation
- Analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology
- be exposed to real life scenarios to enhance their experience and develop their understanding of how to deal with online situations.
- Understand computing is an integral part in the modern world.
- Be sshown that technology can be used in a range of situations and has many purposes.
Computing in the Early Years
A technological child in the early years will be exposed to a range of technological toys such as those with knobs and pulleys, developing a skill in making toys work by pressing parts or lifting flaps to achieve effects such as sound, movements or new images. They will seek to acquire basic skills in turning on and operating basic ICT equipment. They will learn that information is retrieved from computers, and how to do this with support. They will interact with age appropriate computer software, and ICT hardware, operating a simple computer program, and other technological resources such as remote control cars, torches, cameras etc. They will recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools, selecting technology for a purpose. A lot of learning in the early years takes place through purposeful play, both indoors and outdoors. Towards the end of Reception children will be learning skills to equip them for their future learning and later success in Year 1.
