Computing

Computing Learning Journey 2020-21

Please click on the image above to view learning journeys for each year group.

Our intent

A high-quality computing education provides a foundation to develop specific computing skills, computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.  Our intention is to make links with mathematics, science and design technology through computing as part of our broader curriculum. We intend for every child in our school to understand the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. We want to ensure that our children become digitally literate and are able to express themselves using their ideas through information and communications technology. Our intention is for this to enable them to be at a suitable level for entering the workplace in the future and to become an active participant in a digital world.

The implementation

We follow the National Curriculum for computing and all classes from year 1 through to year 6 have timetabled computing lessons.  Children will develop their skills such as understanding algorithms, creating and debugging programs, they will use logical reasoning and analyses enabling them to evaluate and present data and information.  Children will select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices. Some of the work will take place in our dedicated STEAM Engine, which is a very well equipped resource for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths.

Computing is planned and sequenced carefully to ensure cumulative coverage of the curriculum, building the children’s knowledge in a secure way. Technical terminology is taught and the children are encouraged to be familiar with and use it confidently in an accurate and precise way. They will build up an extended specialist vocabulary. They will apply their mathematical knowledge to their understanding of computing, including collecting, presenting and analysing data.

The teaching of computing will include learning how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. We will teach children how to recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and a range of ways that they can report concerns about contact and content on the internet or on other online technologies.

Impact

We believe that every child should have a secure bank of computing knowledge and experiences to enable them to confidently embrace the challenges of secondary school curriculum. Teachers use assessment for learning strategies as well as engaging in conferencing activities.  Each half term children from year 1 to year 6 are assessed for their progress and understanding in computing lessons, by the teacher, and this is tracked over time.

The school has a clear structure for teaching children to be digitally safe especially when accessing the internet. The impact of this is part of an ongoing training programme and review.