Computing

At Scarning VC Primary School our aim is to provide a high-quality computing education which equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The curriculum will teach children key knowledge about how computers and computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed. Learners will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers.

By the time they leave Scarning, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). The objectives within each strand support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond.

Their learning environment should contribute to the development of these skills and they should have access to suitable, up-to-date equipment and emerging technologies. As computing is an increasing part of life today, it is essential that all pupils gain the confidence and ability that they need in this subject, to prepare them for the challenge of a rapidly developing and changing technological world. The use of ICT will enhance and extend children’s learning across the whole curriculum whilst developing motivation and social skills.

Computing is taught through the framework of the 2014 National curriculum following the scheme of work on Purple Mash for KS1 and the NCCE Teach Computing units of work for KS2. In Early Years computational thinking is ingrained throughout their curriculum and is supported with activities using Barefoot Computing. Each child will be able to access the Internet and use the World Wide Web in a safe and respectful way. They will understand the necessary precautions to take, to stay safe and know where to seek help. No child will feel threatened or unsafe whilst online at school or at home.

Children will also utilise the Web efficiently to enhance their learning of all subjects and use other software and tools in order to do this. Google Classroom, Google docs, slides and sheets for example are used as part of the education suite to support pupils in creating and sharing presentations.

Scratch is also used to enhance coding lessons where by pupils create, manipulate, and identify and fix errors within a sequence of code in KS2.

The ‘digital literacy’ strand of the computing curriculum is also supplemented by resources provided by Project Evolve which cover 8 separate strands of e-safety and responsibility:

-Self image and identity

-Managing online relationships

-Online reputation

-Online Bullying

-Managing Online Information

-Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle

-Privacy and Security

-Copyright and Owndership

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. By the time our pupils leave us at the end of Year 6, we expect them to be able to use various systems and software safely and responsibly to enhance their learning in other areas of the curriculum; to use software to research and create presentations that communicate their knowledge and learning to others; and to create simple programs with multiple variables through the process of coding.