Computing

Intent 

Through teaching Computing we equip children to participate in a world of rapidly-changing technology. 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. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.  Through perseverance pupils become problem-solvers and critical thinkers.  Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.  At St Jude’s we nurture our children to become confident and independent users of computing technologies, enjoying their activities but staying safe. We want them to feel secure and know who to speak to and what to do if they have any concerns when online.

At St. Jude’s Catholic Primary School we intend to

• Enable our children to reach their full potential and recognise their strengths and talent through a progressive, inclusive creative curriculum.
• To further develop the skills learnt in the computing lesson so that they can be used across all subjects. Cross curricular computing throughout the curriculum should be encouraged.
• Access to learning platforms from home will help raise standards and enhance learning (Reading Plus, TT Rock Stars, Numbots, Learning by Questions).

Implementation 

Across the Computing curriculum we want our children to acquire and then secure knowledge and transferable skills that are progressively embedded from early years to KS2 and beyond.

At St Jude’s we follow the National Curriculum programme of study which covers all three areas of Computing; Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. We use the MGL scheme of work to ensure we meet the skills required.

• Pupils will be taught and be enabled to develop all of the skills in the Computing progression document.
• Word processing will be given a high priority and every year group will be taught and assessed on their word processing skills.
• Children will be taught how to behave responsibly online and will be given time to develop the skills to discern what correct and incorrect behaviour looks like and what to do about it if they see it.  Online safety is embedded across the Computing curriculum as well as being cross curricular through PSHE and RSHE.  
• Children will develop skills to be able to decide when and which technology is best to use for a given purpose.  
• Children will learn to appreciate the value of technology, and be equipped with the coding and programming skills to fill the jobs of the future.

Impact

By the end of each phase, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study (and the additional knowledge and skills delineated within the knowledge and skills documents). Pupils will know how to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies. Pupils will recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour and be able to identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.  Pupils will talk excitedly about technology and how it can be used to promote efficiencies, yet also be aware that technology has limitations.

At St Jude’s we assess every half term.  . At the end of each term teachers will send subject leaders the percentage of children achieving/ not achieving and this will then be shared with the curriculum link governor. 

Speak to your child - do they know who their trusted adults are?

Click on the links below to see medium term plans for each topic 

                                                              Autumn                                                                     Spring                                                                    Summer

Year 1                                              Basic skills                                                        Unplugged algorithms                                     Data handling: pictograms 

                                                  Producing digital media                                      Programming with robots                                    Presenting information 

Year 2                                        What is a computer?                                                Scratch Junior                                                Modifying text and images 

                                                Unplugged algorithms                                      Storing and presenting data                                    Presenting information 

Year 3                                        Composing emails                                             Prediction and Debugging                                             Inside a computer 

                                          Programming a game (scratch)                                  Altering digital media                                         Publishing online content 

Year 4                                      Branching databases                                              Coding with Scratch                                        Network and online services 

                                            Repetition and forever loops                                          Creating a video                                                       Spreadsheets 

Year 5                               Create and search a database                                    Creating music using code                                 World Wide Web and internet        

                                                If and if else statements                                          Stop motion animation                                                 3D modelling 

Year 6                                Creating formula in Excel                                            Program for an audience                                          How data is stored    

                                                Using variables                                                       Plan and compose music                                                    HTML