Computing

St Peter's Catholic Primary St. Peter's PTFA Sittingbourne

Computing

Our Computing Lead is Miss Morris

Rationale

At St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, we value the role of Computing both in school and the wider community, with particular focus on the impression technology leaves on pupil’s personal lives. We believe:

The development of capability in Computing, and across technological forms, is important in preparing all pupils for their part and citizenship in an increasingly digital society – wherein new developments are constant.
Within education, Computing – when used in a purposeful way – provides the tools to enhance enrich and extend teaching and learning experiences across the whole curriculum, including the National Curriculum.
Computing can promote self-esteem and confidence of all pupils including those with Special Education Needs and the more able.

Intent

At St Peter's, we understand the opportunities and the accessibility that technology can provide for our pupils and we believe that every child should have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in a digital world. Our computing curriculum, taught through the Teach Computing scheme, enables pupils to become confident, responsible, and creative users of technology.

Technology is everywhere and plays an increasingly pivotal part in our students’ lives; therefore at St Peter’s we want to:

Model and impart sound, positive, responsible and safe technological know-how to our pupils.
Ensure that, by the conclusion of their time with us, students should be as much creators of technological marvels as they are consumers.
Ensure the children understand that there is, and always will be, a choice in regard to the manner in which they – and the school – use technology, including the ever-encroaching social media, in a responsible manner.

From EYFS, children begin to develop early digital literacy through:

Exploring cause and effect using age-appropriate technology (e.g., interactive toys, tablets, and programmable resources).
Learning to express themselves and make choices through simple digital mark-making tools.
Understanding that information can be stored, shared, and retrieved using technology.

As they progress through Key Stage 1 and 2, our pupils:

Understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science, including logic, algorithms, and data representation.
Can analyse problems and design, write, and debug simple programs.
Become digitally literate – able to use, express themselves and develop ideas through information and communication technology at a level suitable for the future workplace.
Understand how to use technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly.

We recognise that the best course of action for the issues we currently see with technology is prevention through education.

Our vision sees teaching embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible – in addition to operating distinct and targeted Computing lessons, utilising Teach Computing curriculum plans. We aim for our pupils to be fluent with a range of technological tools, so as to best express their understanding and display their knowledge and capability. Furthermore, we hope that by Upper Key Stage 2, children will have developed the independence and confidence to choose technologies, programs and computing skills to assist in their learning in various parts of the curriculum, should the task necessitate it.

Implementation

We follow the Teach Computing scheme, which provides a clear, structured sequence of lessons to ensure progression in knowledge and skills from EYFS through Year 6.

The curriculum is built around four key areas of computing:

Computer Science – learning how digital systems work and applying computational thinking.
Information Technology – using technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate, and retrieve content.
Digital Literacy – ensuring children can use technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly.
Creativity – using a range of applications to design, produce, and present ideas.

In EYFS, computing experiences are play-based and exploratory. Children experiment with cause-and-effect toys, interactive apps, technology such as IPADS, cameras and interactive whiteboards, and digital mark-making, building foundational skills in control, sequencing, and problem-solving.

Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2):
By the end of KS1, children can:

Understand what algorithms are and create simple programs using block-based coding.
Use technology purposefully to create, organise, and retrieve digital content.
Develop basic digital literacy, including using the internet safely and respectfully.
Use simple digital tools to present ideas (e.g., digital drawings, text, or slides).

Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6):
By the end of KS2, children can:

Design, write, and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling physical devices.
Understand how computer networks, including the internet, function and can be used to share information.
Collect, analyse, evaluate, and present data using a variety of digital tools.
Apply digital literacy skills safely and responsibly in all areas of learning.
Use technology creatively to solve problems and communicate ideas, producing multimedia content (presentations, videos, websites).

Computing is embedded across subjects where children can apply digital skills in meaningful contexts, such as creating data charts in maths, digital storytelling in literacy, or designing presentations for topic work.

Online safety is a golden thread at St Peter's. It is revisited regularly through lessons, assemblies, and national events such as Safer Internet Day.

Assessment

Pupil attainment is assessed by the class teacher, against the Teach Computing objectives, noting developing confidence and independence in digital tasks.. These guidelines enable staff to accurately identify attainment/coverage of pupils and teachers keep accurate records of pupil attainment by entering data on FFT termly, which can then be viewed by the Subject Leader.

Impact & Inclusion

We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. We want learners to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and wellbeing. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style.

Through our computing curriculum, children develop:

Secure knowledge and understanding of computing concepts across all stages.
Early digital literacy in EYFS, progressing to confident use of coding, digital tools, and online resources in KS1 and KS2.
The ability to apply their skills creatively to solve problems, communicate, and present ideas.
A strong awareness of how to use technology responsibly, keeping themselves and others safe online.
At St Peter’s we aim to enable all children to achieve to their full potential. This includes children of all abilities, social and cultural backgrounds, those with disabilities, EAL speakers and SEN statement and non-statemented. We place particular emphasis on the flexibility technology brings to allowing pupils to access learning opportunities, particularly pupils with SEN and disabilities. With this in mind, we will ensure additional access to technology is provided throughout the school day.

As a result, pupils leave St Peter's as confident, digitally literate learners, prepared for the next stage of their education and equipped with the essential skills to thrive in a modern, diverse, and digital world.