Intent

We understand the immense value technology plays in supporting the Computing and wider whole school curriculum, as well as the increasing role it plays in our pupils’ lives in an ever more technological world. We believe that technology can provide collaborative learning opportunities; improved engagement of pupils; access to rich, engaging content and support understanding of new concepts. We aim for our children to be able to use technology to research, collate, analyse, evaluate, share and exchange information effectively. In addition, we aim for pupils to understand how digital systems work and use this to design, write and debug their own programs. Our curriculum covers three fundamental strands: Computer Science, Information technology and Digital Literacy. The use of Purple Mash across the school supports the curriculum requirements for all these areas.  We want children to know more, remember more and understand more in computing so that they leave primary school computer literate. We intend to deliver a Computing curriculum that prepares pupils to live safely in an increasingly digital society and to use technology in the future workplace.

Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Our implementation of the Computing curriculum is in line with National Curriculum requirements for KS1, KS2 and the Early Years Framework. The Purple Mash Computing scheme outlines the knowledge and skills taught in each key stage, allowing for consistency and progression within each year and across the whole school. Our Computing progression model is broken down into three strands that make up the computing curriculum. These are Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Computer Science underlines the knowledge and skills relating to programming, coding, algorithms and computational thinking. Information Technology develops the knowledge and skills children need relating to communication, multimedia and data representation and handling. Digital Literacy covers the knowledge and skills relating to online safety and technology uses.  Units are practical and engaging and lessons cover a broad range of computing components such as coding, spreadsheets, internet and email, databases, communication networks, touch typing, animation and online safety. Learning opportunities for e-safety integrated throughout the units and children also spend further time exploring the key issues associated with online safety throughout the year. We always acknowledge Safer Internet Day and the children take part in workshops around aspects of online safety.

Impact

Pupils will:

• Enjoy their learning in Computing and high expectations allow for all pupils to achieve their best.
• Become confident users of technology and be able to use it to accomplish a wide variety of goals, both at home and in school.
• Be aware of technological uses and developments in the wider world.
• Have a secure and comprehensive knowledge of the implications of technology and digital systems.
• Be able to apply the British values of democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, rule of law and liberty when using digital systems, understanding at all times the etiquette required as an online user.
• Be creative and imaginative when using technology to present, record and share their work.
• Be responsible, respectful and safe users of data, information and communication technology.
• Be digitally literate and develop the ability to think critically and analytically.
• Develop and widen their computer-related vocabulary.
• Be able to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content effectively and safely.