Computing
The best way to predict the future is to invent it
Intent
The intent of our computing curriculum at St. Thomas of Canterbury is to promote a culture of belonging and inclusivity by encouraging all our children to develop computing skills and keep safe in this ever-increasing digital world.
Our computing scheme aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupil’s appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to: create; manage; organise; and collaborate.
St. Thomas of Canterbury Primary aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupil’s appreciation of their capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to create, manage, organise, and collaborate. Tinkering with software and programs forms a part of our lessons as we want to develop pupils’ confidence when encountering modern technology, which is a vital skill in the ever evolving and changing landscape of technology.
Through our curriculum, we intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent and have a range of transferable skills at a suitable level for the future workplace, but also to be responsible online citizens.
At St. Thomas of Canterbury, we want to help equip children for life in the digital world, including developing their understanding of appropriate online behaviour, copyright issues, being discerning consumers of online information and healthy use of technology.
Implementation
Computing is taught in discreet computing lessons. The computing curriculum is delivered in a way that meets the needs of all our pupils. Teachers create a positive attitude towards computing within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in the computing curriculum.
Our Computing lessons have three strands which run throughout:
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Digital literacy
This ensures a broad and balanced coverage of the National Curriculum requirements.
Lessons incorporate cross-curricular links and a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work as well as unplugged and digital activities. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles. Lessons can be accessed and opportunities are given to all pupils.
Outstanding teaching and learning practices are embedded at the core of St. Thomas of Canterbury Primary computing lessons together with Pupil voice questionnaires, continued CPD and monitoring of teaching and pupils’ work. This ensures pupils develop a secure foundation from which they can build their computing knowledge and skills, to be well prepared for the next stage in their education.
Impact
The engaging and practical approach to teaching computing at St. Thomas of Canterbury Primary should allow children to leave us equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in the ever-increasing digital world by:
- Being critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future.
- Understanding the importance that computing will have going forward in both their educational and working life and in their social and personal futures.
- Understanding how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner.
- Understanding that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity. They will know that different types of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims.
- Showing a clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National Curriculum - computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
- Being able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team.
- Being aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible and appropriate manner.
- Having an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another.
- Meeting the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for Computing.
Enrichment
Pupils have access to Laptops to complete homework or for their own private study, supervised by teachers.
Pupils have benefitted from a series of workshops led by a computing expert developing their physical computing skills across a range of creative projects.
Pupils and Parents also throughout the year benefit from Online Safety workshops, assemblies and a monthly newsletter is issued on the school’s website.
Digital leaders will feel confident and valued from fulfilling their role as they become advocates for good behaviour with technology, support teachers and inspire their peers to develop computing skills and feel safe online.