Computing

At St John’s Catholic Primary School, we understand the immense value that technology plays not only in supporting the Computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school. Our aims are to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Computing whilst also providing enhanced collaborative learning opportunities, engagement in rich content and supporting pupil’s conceptual understanding of new concepts which support the needs of all our pupils.

“A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world…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.” National Curriculum

Our Computing curriculum aims to develop the heart and mind of every child. Computing teaching at has links with mathematics, science and design and technology and our aim is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum whilst ensuring that pupils become digitally literate and digitally resilient. Technology is ever evolving and we aim to develop pupils who can use and express themselves, develop their ideas through, information and communication technology at a suitable level for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school in line with the national curriculum.

Computing teaching will deliver these requirements through a variety of units.

We use and follow Purple Mash to support the development, progression and structure of our lesson from Year 1 to Year 6.

The Purple Mash scheme of work enables clear coverage of the computing curriculum whilst also providing support and CPD for less confident teachers to deliver lessons.

When teaching computing teachers can follow the children’s interests to ensure their learning is engaging, broad and balanced. Teachers should ensure that ICT and computing capability is also achieved through core and foundation subjects and where appropriate and necessary ICT and computing should be incorporated into work for all subjects using our wide range of interactive ICT resources.

Purple Mash has an online portal of age-appropriate software, games and activities as well as topic materials and materials to support children’s learning in other subject areas for all key stages.

Computing teaching is practical and engaging and a variety of teaching approaches and activities are provided based on teacher judgement and pupil ability. We have a wide range of resources to support our computing teaching.

Pupils may use laptops or Desktop computers independently, in pairs or in a group with the teacher. Teachers and pupils are also aware of the importance of health and safety and pupils are always supervised when using technology and accessing the internet.

Our pupils are fully encouraged to engage with ICT and technology outside of school. Each teacher and pupil has their own unique Purple Mash login and password. Computing work can be stored and saved using pupil log in details and homework or ‘2do’s’ can also be set for pupils to access and complete tasks at home that link with their current class learning.

We provide a variety of opportunities for computing learning inside and outside the classroom. Computing and safeguarding go hand in hand and a we provide a huge focus on Internet safety inside and outside of the classroom.

Internet Safety is taught both through elements of our computing Curriculum but also through our PSHE curriculum as well. Internet Safety assemblies are also held.

Our Computing Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression and build on and embed current skills.

We focus on what the children know (the knowledge) and what the children can do (the skills).

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• Monitoring via our Computing Subject lead.

• Opportunities for dialogue between teachers.

• Video analysis through recording of performance in lessons.

• Pupil Voice

• Learning walks and reflective staff feedback

• Dedicated Computing leader time.

• Monitoring of children’s work.