St Anne's Catholic Primary School

INTENT

Through our computing curriculum at St. Anne’s, we aim to give our pupils the life-skills that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way. We would like our pupils to be able to operate in a 21^st century workspace and we want them to know the career opportunities that open to them if they study computing. Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during children’s time in school to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed.  Not only do we want them to be digitally literate and competent end-users of technology but through our computing lessons we want them to develop creativity, resilience, problem solving and critical thinking skills.  We want our pupils to have a breadth of experience and develop their understanding of themselves as individuals within their community but also as members of a wider global community and as a responsible digital citizen.

Underpinned by ….

High expectations

Modelling

Fluency

Vocabulary

All children are expected to succeed and make progress from their starting points.

Our curriculum involves all children in every Computing lesson

Teachers will demonstrate key skills or techniques in every computing lesson so that the children will achieve. 

Children will develop their skills and understanding throughout their time in primary school.  They will be computer literate and will be confident using their computing skills across a range of software as well as in a range of subjects.

Specific vocabulary is taught in every computing lesson. This vocabulary will often be built upon from previous years as well as being transferable across other strands of computing.

IMPLEMENTATION

Curriculum coverage and progression

At St. Anne’s, we aim to follow the requirements of the National Curriculum; providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum and ensuring the progressive development of computing concepts, knowledge and skills. We use and follow the Purple Mash scheme of work from Year 1-6, ensuring consistency and progression throughout the school.

Outside of the classroom

Children have access to an online platform called ‘Purple Mash’ at home.  This is where they can continue to practise their computing skills using a range of online activities.

Range of Skills

Units cover a broad range of computing components such as coding, spreadsheets, Internet and Email, Databases, Communication networks, touch typing, animation and online safety.

Cross Curriculum Links

Computing is taught weekly as a discrete subject in a dedicated computing session .However, computing capability is also achieved through core and foundation subjects and where appropriate and necessary ICT and computing should be incorporated into work for all subjects where possible.

Online Safety

Computing and safeguarding go hand in hand and we provide a huge focus on internet safety inside and outside of the classroom. Additional to all pupils studying an online safety unit through their computing lessons, every year we also take part in National Safer Internet Day in February. The Computing subject leader, alongside class teachers, will plan additional internet safety lessons and activities.

Resources

All of our computing sessions are practical, and the children will primarily use laptop computers to complete their activities.  There are also iPads available in order to ensure children are confident in using a range of devices.

Assessment

Computing assessment is ongoing to inform teachers with their planning, lesson activities and differentiation.  Summative assessments are completed at the end of each unit to inform planning, improvements or skills that need to be embedded.

IMPACT

Pupil Voice

Governor visits, including interviewing the children about their views, attitudes and learning are used regularly to further develop the computing curriculum.

Evidence in knowledge

Children develop a rich and deep subject knowledge.  They understand what they are doing well and how they need to improve.

Evidence in skills

Children develop a range of computer science, information technology and digital literacy skills. Click here to access the progression of skills document. 

Outcomes

Children to be digitally literate and have the skills to perform many different  computing tasks confidently.