The Teaching of Computing at St Mary and St Benedict

Intent

At St Mary and St Benedict CP School, we aim to prepare our learners for a successful future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever changing digital world. Knowledge and understanding of computing is of increasing importance for children's future both at home and for employment. Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become increasingly competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of units during the children’s journey through primary school to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully revised and developed. Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning will help engage children and enrich their experiences in school.

Aims:

St Mary & St Benedict CP School believes that every child has the right to a curriculum that champions excellence; supporting pupils in achieving the very best of their abilities. We understand the immense value technology plays not only in supporting the Computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school.

We believe that technology can provide: enhanced collaborative learning opportunities; better engagement of pupils; easier access to rich content; support conceptual understanding of new concepts and can support the needs of all our pupils.

We will:

• Provide an exciting, rich, relevant and appropriate Computing curriculum for all pupils.
• Teach pupils to become responsible, respectful and competent users of data, information and communication technology.
• Provide technology solutions for forging better home and school links.
• Enthuse and equip children with the capability to use technology throughout their lives.
• Teach pupils to understand the importance of governance and legislation regarding how information is used, stored, created, retrieved, shared and manipulated.
• Make use of computational thinking beyond the Computing curriculum.
• Give children access to a variety of high quality hardware, software and unplugged resources.
• Provide pupils with skills, strategies and knowledge that will enable them to reap the benefits of the online world, whilst being able to minimise risk to themselves or others.
• Exceed the minimum government recommended/statutory guidance for programmes of study for Computing and other related legislative guidance (online safety).

Teaching Computing

Computing features in the curriculum coverage of all classes, from Reception to Year 6. Whether Computing is organised as a weekly timetabled session or as a stand-alone weekly unit is left to the discretion of the phase/class teachers as they know the best and most effective ways to manage the curriculum for their pupils. Access to hardware, software and online materials is carefully planned and liaison with the school technician ensures that equipment is prepared and ready for all teaching sequences.

Teaching strategies used within Computing range from individual practice to collaborative learning. This can include opportunities to offer critique and problem solve, especially when learning to code. All activities are planned to ensure pupil participation is maximised and that tasks and outcomes can be differentiated. Computing sessions focus on new terminology, and the application of newly acquired skills and knowledge. The teaching environment for Computing is based upon sharing.

Assessment, Recording and Reporting

By the end of each Key Stage, the pupils should have developed an understanding and enjoyment of Computing through activities taken from the National Curriculum Programmes of Study (NC 2014). Assessment of pupils’ progress will be made against the Computing Progression of Skills Map (PM 2020-2021).Reporting to parents follows school guidance and procedures.