Computing
"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. 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."
Computing: Purpose of Study from the 2014 National Curriculum.
What are we trying to achieve?
Our Computing curriculum is part of our ‘Big Idea’ of Innovation and Exploration and enables our children to:
- understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation;
- analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems;
- evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems;
- become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
Computing Themes
- Computer Science: the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.
- Information Technology: creating programs, systems and a range of content.
- Digital Literacy: using and developing ideas through, information and communication technology.
Our Computing Curriculum Progression of Knowledge and Skills shows how our children develop their knowledge and skills in Computing during their time with us.
How do we organise learning?
To support the implementation of our parts of Computing curriculum we are guided by Kapow. Kapow supports our teachers to develop their Computing expertise and plan and deliver engaging lessons. This ensures that our children progress by knowing more, remembering more and being able to do more.
The areas our children will experience during their time with us can be seen in the Computing Long Term Overview.
Computing is taught for 1 lesson every week in Years 1 and 2. Computing is blocked against Art in Years 3 to 6 and is taught for 1 lesson every week every other half term. This is shown in our example timetables. You can find out more about how we structure our Computing teaching in our Computing Non-Negotiables.
National Centre for Computing Education Computing Quality Framework
We have made a commitment to review and improve our computing curriculum by registering for the NCCE Computing Quality Framework.
You can find out more about this on the NCCE Computing Quality Framework for Schools website.
Updated on 18/11/23 by JF and KJD.
