Computing Curriculum Information

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Introduction

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The intention of the Computing Curriculum at Our Lady’s is to ensure children 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. A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. 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. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate. 

 

What pupils say about Computing at Our Lady’s

 

“We get to use computers and iPads.”

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“It’s really interesting. We learn to debug and code and I never thought I’d be able to do that.”

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“I like that I can learn lots of news skills.”

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Computing Opportunities

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Computing as a separate subject, is taught in our fully equipped IT suite. We are also endeavouring to ensure that our students are digitally literate and aware how to safely use and operate a range of devices and equipment. In a world where computers play integral part in more and more of our daily activities it is imperative that students leave Our Lady’s with the knowledge of how to use such technologies safely and wisely.

 

Computing enables pupils to develop skills to prepare them for the digital world. It is approached in a practical child centred manner, which makes it accessible to all pupils. Our pupils expand their knowledge and understanding of the world by being actively involved in experiencing, investigating, manipulating, and using information and technology in a variety of forms including; text, symbols, sound, graphics, photographs, music and video.

 

Our pupils gain self-confidence, communication skills, gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving skills and a wide range of abilities and knowledge needed to enable them to take their place in today's society. As part of the Computing curriculum, pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe when using the internet to support them in becoming responsible global citizens.

 

Assessment

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At Our Lady’s Primary School, in line with our curriculum intent, we have developed a foundation subject tracking system.  It will capture our ongoing assessments of each child showing us how well our curriculum is being implemented as well as how our children are progressing through the curriculum and the impact it has on their learning.  It will enable teachers to plan subsequent learning opportunities so that individual needs are met and children can make progress towards the end of year expectations.  Judgements relating to end of year expectations will be made at the end of the academic year.

 

SMSC in the Curriculum

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All subject teachers of Computing are familiar with the indicators of vulnerability to extremism and radicalisation and the procedures for dealing with concerns. When delivering lessons we look out for indicators and report any concerns. We work to prevent pupils from developing extreme and radical views by embedding SMSC principles throughout the Computing curriculum. During Computing lessons we strive to create a learning environment which promotes respect, diversity and self-awareness and equips all of our pupils with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values they will need to succeed in their future lives.

Spiritual development focuses on an individual’s own personal beliefs and values and their resulting behaviours. Through spiritual development, children begin to understand their own feelings and emotions, and this enables them to reflect and to learn. In Computing we deliver spiritual development through projects which require students to develop personalised content, allowing them to experience wonder, express their beliefs, or choose and comment on appropriate subject matter relevant to their developing beliefs and values for research and presentation tasks.

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Moral development means exploring, understanding and recognising shared values and considering the issues of right and wrong. In Computing we deliver moral development through Digital Citizenship, Digital Literacy, and E-Safety modules, encouraging students to consider the moral and legal implications of their actions online and elsewhere.

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Social development involves learners working effectively together and participating successfully in the whole school community. During a pupil’s social development, they gain interpersonal skills that allow them to form successful relationships and to become a positive team member. In Computing, we deliver social development through group tasks, peer assessment, and curricular elements which focus on the social applications of computers, with particular emphasis on using technology and computational thinking to solve problems for a given audience and purpose, encouraging learners to consider the needs and views of a range of members of school and wider communities.

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Cultural development enables learners to develop an understanding of their own culture and of other cultures locally, nationally and internationally. It also means learning to feel comfortable in a variety of cultures and valuing cultural diversity. In Computing we deliver cultural development through themed tasks requiring students to research and present information on a range of topics varying from international festivals to personal interests and values. There is also an emphasis on the present place of Computing as a subject within a context of international technological history, encouraging students to recognise and celebrate the contributions of men and women from a range of cultures and countries to the development of the technologies they are learning to use effectively.