Computing Curriculum

Intent Statement

In line with the 2014 National Curriculum for Computing, our aim is to provide a high-quality computing education which equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The curriculum will teach children key knowledge about how computers and computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed. Learners will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers.

By the time they leave St Joseph and St Teresa’s, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). The objectives within each strand support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond.

Implementation Statement

Teachers use the ‘iCompute’ scheme, as a starting point for the planning of their computing lessons, which are often richly linked to engaging contexts in other subjects and topics. Knowledge and skills are mapped across each topic and year group to ensure systematic progression. We have a a class sets of ipads to ensure that all year groups have the opportunity to use a range of devices and programs for many purposes across the wider curriculum, as well as in discrete computing lessons.  Employing cross-curricular links motivates pupils and supports them to make connections and remember the steps they have been taught. The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming in Key Stage 2, where they design, write and debug programs, explaining the thinking behind their algorithms.

Children are also simultaneously taught about e-safety in each lesson, but units taught in the first Spring Term coincide with Safer Internet Day where children explore concepts based on staying safe when they are online.

Added to this, children are given further opportunities to develop their computer science skills by using the Code.org website that challenges students to used coding blocks or java script to develop their programming skills.

Impact Statement

Our approach to the curriculum results in a fun, engaging, and high-quality computing education. all pupils make good progress.

Much of the subject-specific knowledge developed in our computing lessons equip pupils with experiences which will benefit them in secondary school, further education and future workplaces. From research methods, use of presentation and creative tools and critical thinking, computing at St Joseph and St Teresa’s gives children the building blocks that enable them to pursue a wide range of interests and vocations in the next stage of their lives.

Safer Internet Day 2024 will take place on the Tuesday 6th of February 2024, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online’. As a school, we will be sharing information through assemblies and classroom activities to enable children to have discussions around this theme. Please do feel free to follow this up at home. The UK Safer Internet Day website has some wonderful resources available to parents and carers, so please take a look if you have time. https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers Here you will find some really great resources that will enable a positive discussion about staying safe online. Also there are plenty of resources that we would have used in class that you may wish to revisit at home with your child.