Computing
Computing
Intent:
At Sacred Heart we aim to provide an exciting, broad, relevant and challenging Computing curriculum that equips all children with the skills and knowledge that they need to use technology competently throughout their lives. We recognise the pivotal role that technology plays in our everyday lives and therefore aim to teach our pupils how to use it responsibly and safely, to become Internet Sharp, Alert, Secure, Kind and Brave. We want our pupils to understand the choices they have with technology and we utilise our own online platforms to model positive use, as well as to develop links between home and school. We believe that technology can provide enhanced collaborative learning opportunities and better engagement of pupils, provide easier access to rich content, support understanding of new concepts and help to support the needs of all our pupils. We have therefore developed a broad curriculum, which encompasses Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy, to inspire all pupils to use technology imaginatively and creatively and to foster a ‘Yes I Can’ attitude in all of our children.
Implementation:
We teach the National Curriculum, which is supported by a comprehensive progression document for staff. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.
Computing has a high profile in school and is taught in weekly timetabled lessons, following the National Centre for Computing Education curriculum. Units focusing on the key themes of Information Systems and Networks, Programming, Data and Information and Creating Media are carefully sequenced so children revisit key vocabulary and concepts throughout school and build upon prior learning.
Online safety is taught discretely on a half-termly basis, following a bespoke curriculum created with the Project Evolve and Google Internet Legends resources, however it is also threaded through everything that we do. The curriculum is updated regularly and staff respond to online safety issues quickly to ensure that teaching is relevant and meets the needs of our pupils. Through our home/school communication channels, parents are kept up to date with relevant online safety matters.
Children have their own Computing books, which they use for ‘unplugged’ activities where they practise and develop skills such as creating algorithms, logical reasoning and debugging.
Children have access to a variety of high-quality hardware, software and unplugged resources, demonstrating that skills such as logical reasoning, reflective learning and computational thinking can be applied beyond the Computing curriculum.
We place particular emphasis on the flexibility technology brings to allowing pupils to access learning opportunities, particularly pupils with EAL, SEN and disabilities. With this in mind, we ensure additional access to technology is provided throughout the school day to enable all children to reach their full potential.
Effective CPD materials, including ‘subject knowledge guides’ are available for each unit to ensure high levels of confidence and knowledge are maintained.
Additional experiences are planned for the children, to give them access to a wider range of physical computing resources and explore career pathways within the technology world.
In EYFS, children are given opportunities to develop the core approaches of computational thinking: tinkering, creating, debugging, persevering and collaborating, using software, programmable toys and unplugged activities.
Impact:
Our children enjoy and value Computing and understand the ‘why’ behind their learning. They develop skills such as critical thinking, perseverance and reasoning. They reflect upon and discuss the importance of Computing in the context of their own personal wellbeing and in the wider world. At Sacred Heart we believe that our Computing curriculum equips pupils with the skills, strategies and knowledge they need to use technology imaginatively and creatively, reaping the benefits of the online world, while being able to minimize risk to themselves or others.