Computing at St Laurence's

The use of computers and computer systems is an integral part of the National Curriculum and knowing how they work is a key life skill. In an increasingly digital world there now exists a wealth of software, tools and technologies that can be used to communicate, collaborate, express ideas and create digital content.

At St Laurence’s Catholic Primary School we believe that children are entitled to a broad and balanced computing education with a structured, progressive, approach to learning how computer systems work, the use of IT and the skills necessary to become digitally literate and participate fully in the modern world. 

 

By the End of Key Stage One children will:

• understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
• create and debug simple programs
• use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
• use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital
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• recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
• 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.

 

By the End of Key Stage Two children will: 

• design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
• use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
• use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
• understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration
• use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
• select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
• use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

 

Our Aims for our Computing Curriculum:

• Be safe and responsible at all times, when using technology.
• provide a relevant, challenging and enjoyable curriculum for IT and computing for all pupils;
• meet the requirements of the national curriculum programmes of study for IT and computing;
• use IT and computing as a tool to enhance learning throughout the curriculum;
• to respond to new developments in technology;
• to equip pupils with the confidence and capability to use IT and computing throughout their later life;

 

Intent

At St Laurence’s, we believe that Computing is a vital part of preparing children to live in a world where technology is continuously and rapidly becoming an integral part of our lives. We currently understand the demand for preparing children for jobs and opportunities which may not even exist yet. For this reason, we feel that it is important that children are able to participate in the creation of these new tools to fully grasp the relevance of and the possibilities of emerging technologies thus preparing them for the world of work.

 

Our vision is to guide children in becoming creative, independent learners who develop a positive relationship with technology. We recognise that technology can benefit our whole school community – children, staff, parents, governors and our local community.

 

Aims:

The school’s aims are to:

• Be safe and responsible at all times, when using technology.
• provide a relevant, challenging and enjoyable curriculum for IT and computing for all pupils;
• meet the requirements of the national curriculum programmes of study for IT and computing;
• use IT and computing as a tool to enhance learning throughout the curriculum;
• to respond to new developments in technology;
• to equip pupils with the confidence and capability to use IT and computing throughout their later life;

 

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science, including logic, algorithms, data representation, and communication;
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems;
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems;
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology;

 

Implementation

Teaching and learning:

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Our computing units are broken down into four strands; essential skills, computer science, information technology and digital literacy. Teachers will use the medium term plans from the Knowsley CLC Scheme of Work to ensure that lessons delivered are engaging and meeting the national curriculum standards. 

 

Teacher’s planning will be differentiated to meet the needs of all the children in the class. Different teaching styles and approaches will be employed to ensure all children are challenged. Children may work independently, in pairs, or collaboratively in small groups or as a whole class.

 

EYFS

Computer Science

Children in the Early Years will explore basic computational thinking through film, music and dance. They will begin to learn about the sequencing of instructions and events whilst understanding the directional language through the use of play and programmable toys.

 

Information Technology 

Early Years children will explore how technology is part of their everyday lives. They will use devices, equipment, apps and be introduced to why technology is used. The children will learn about handling information, problem solving and use hardware to take photographs and video recording.

 

Digital Literacy

The children will explore topics surrounding internet safety, their personal information and technology in the real world. Children will learn to stay safe and how they can make a positive contribution online. Our aim is to best equip our early years for further development in their later years of primary school. 

 

Key Stage 1

Computer Science

In Key Stage 1 children will learn about algorithms; following them and creating them. The children will explore the use of programmable robots and toys to help deepen their understanding of algorithms. They will learn to create, debug and use logical reasoning skills to predict the outcomes and errors in algorithms.

 

Information Technology

Key Stage 1 children will build on their previous knowledge of digital devices and apps by creating, editing and saving information stored on a device. The children will be introduced to creating their own digital books, both as a whole class and individually.

 

Digital Literacy

They will research; technology that is used in the real world, internet safety, personal information, who to trust online and where to go for help. Children will learn to communicate safely and respectfully online and recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.

 

Key Stage 2

Computer Science

In Key Stage 2, children will build on their knowledge to create and debug complex algorithms and programs, including controlling or simulating physical systems and create interactive toys. A variety of programming apps will be used further their understanding. They will use sequence, selection and repetition in programs. They will use their logical reasoning skills to explain simple algorithms and correct any errors. The children will understand computer networks, learn to crack codes, how the internet works and they learn about the opportunities the internet can offer for communication and collaboration. They will learn about how search results are selected, ranked and how they can be manipulated.

 

Information Technology

Children will learn to enhance their creativity by creating multimedia content through the use of software on a range of digital devices. They will build on previous KS1 knowledge of digital skills by learning to manipulate images, publish them on the web, how to present work, data handling and collaborate with project based tasks. The children will learn strong research skills and learn about the latest technology themes and trends.

 

Digital Literacy

Children will continue to explore at a deeper level; technology in society, internet safety and the risks, personal information and the help and support available, digital content, communications, social media, and a healthy balanced digital lifestyle. KS2 children will use email and create/write online content.

 

Computing Curriculum:  

Computing is taught in three blocks across the year – one unit per term.  Teachers will use the Computing Progression Map to deliver exciting and engaging lessons. The majority of the process will be recorded in an electronic journal, which will follow their journey through the year. Some of the work can be seen through the physical journal put together by the computing lead.

 

Vocabulary:

At St Laurence’s the importance of vocabulary is highlighted through the Computing curriculum and is evident on the year specific vocabulary map.  Key vocabulary is promoted during all lessons to ensure understanding.

 

Enrichment opportunities:

Each year group will participate in enrichment opportunities to enhance learning and promote a love of learning. This will be through opportunities such as visits to local technology workshops and visits from the CLC. This also may include visits to our feeder high school (All Saints) which provide Saturday workshops, in addition to school time visits.

 

Inclusion:

Our teachers provide learning opportunities that are matched to the needs of children with learning difficulties. We strive to meet the needs of all children with special educational needs, disabilities, special gifts and talents, and of those learning English as an additional language. We teach computing to all children, whatever their ability and individual need. Computing forms part of our school curriculum policy to provide a broad and balanced education for all our children. The computing curriculum is available to all children regardless of gender and cultural background.

 

British Values:

We ensure care is taken when selecting source material and that a range of perspectives and viewpoints are represented including those of men and women from different racial, national and religious groups. Care is taken that societies are not just represented from the British perspective but also from their own. Through history the five British values are always considered: democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths.

 

Impact

Assessment:

At St Laurence’s assessment is an integral part of the teaching process. Children will complete an ‘assessment’ task at the end of each topic, where teachers will assess children’s use of vocabulary, knowledge and skills which will help direct learning and support in future topics. The impact and measure of this is to ensure that our children are equipped with skills and knowledge that they can use and build upon year on year and also enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as digital citizen in the wider world.

 

Monitoring:

Monitoring takes place regularly through work scrutinies and observations, which are completed throughout the year to ensure progression across the year group and key stage. Similarly, pupil voice is completed to both assess children’s knowledge and also their enjoyment of the subject, tasks, enrichment opportunities etc. This can be seen in the journal created by the computing lead.

 

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