Computing at Saint John Southworth RC Primary School
At SJS computing is..... Technology, Programming and Safety.
The Intent, Implementation and Impact of our Curriculum
Our Computing Lead is Victoria Howarth
Intent
All pupils at St John Southworth RC Primary School have the right to have rich, deep learning experiences that balance all the aspects of computing. With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we believe ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill children must be taught if they are to be able to participate effectively and safely in this digital world. A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use 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.
We teach a curriculum that enables children to become effective users of technology who can:
- Understand and apply the essential principles and concepts of Computer Science, including logic, algorithms and data representation;
- Analyse problems in computational term, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems;
- Evaluate and apply information technology analytically to solve problems;
- Communicate ideas well by utilising appliances and devices throughout all areas of the curriculum.
Implementation
Teachers deliver computing lessons using ‘Purple Mash’ which children can also access at home. Teachers plan to include the following:
- A cycle of lessons for each area, which carefully plans for progression and depth.
- Challenge for pupils to apply their learning in a philosophical/open manner.
- Trips which enhance the computing curriculum and visiting experts who will enhance the learning experience.
Impact
Our Computing curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress.
In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:
- A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes.
- Children can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
- Children can analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
- Children can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
- Children are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.