Our Computing Lead is Mr Tierney

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 our school, we understand the opportunities and the accessibility that technology can provide for our pupils. As such, we aim to move pupils towards being masters of technology, rather than slaves to it. 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.

We recognise that the best course of action for the issues we currently see with technology is prevention through education. Resultantly, we plan for our broad and balanced curriculum (facilitated by Purple Mash) to encompass computer science, information technology and digital literacy, in addition to allowing pupils to share their learning in creative ways. Our knowledge based curriculum has to be balanced with the chance for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help out children become skillful computer scientists.

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 Purple Mash technologies and 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 will make use of a range of teaching and learning resources, such as Google’s “Be Internet Legends” for Online Safety, however Purple Mash will form the basis of our Computing curriculum, especially with regard to computer science. The scheme of work supports our teachers in delivering fun and engaging lessons which help to raise standards and allow all pupils to achieve to their full potential. We are confident that the scheme of work more than adequately meets the national vision for Computing. It provides immense flexibility, strong cross-curricular links and integrates perfectly with the 2Simple Computing Assessment Tool. Furthermore, it gives excellent supporting material for less confident teachers. Should there be areas within the curriculum whereby teachers feel that pre-teaching may be required to improve the children's knowledge and skills, they will use the Purple Mash “Crash Course” version of specific subject areas. The “Crash Course” is designed to introduce pupils to a concept and bring them up to speed on their understanding so that they are able to access the requisite lessons in future.

Early Years Outcomes

• Computing in the EYFS is centred around play-based, unplugged (no computer) activities that focus on building children’s listening skills, curiosity and creativity and problem solving. 

  Technology in the Early Years can mean: 

• taking a photograph/video with a camera or tablet
• searching for information on the internet
• playing games on the interactive whiteboard
• exploring an old typewriter or other mechanical toys

Allowing children the opportunity to explore technology in this carefree and often child-led way, means that not only will they develop a familiarity with equipment and vocabulary but they will have a strong start in Key Stage 1 Computing and all that it demands.

Additionally there are activities on Purple Mash which encourage pupils to develop the use of a mouse/tablet across a broad range of curriculum areas.

• using a Beebot
• watching a video clip
• listening to music

Key Stage 1 Outcomes

• Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following a sequence of instructions.
• Write and test simple programs.
• Organise, store, manipulate and retrieve data in a range of digital formats.
• Communicate safely and respectfully online, keeping personal information private, and recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.

Key Stage 2 Outcomes

• Design and write programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.
• Use sequence, selection and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output; generate appropriate inputs and predicted outputs to test programs.
• Use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs.
• Understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the worldwide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
• Describe how Internet search engines find and store data; use search engines effectively; be discerning in evaluating digital content; respect individuals and intellectual property; use technology responsibly, securely and safely.
• Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.

Assessment

Pupil attainment is assessed by the class teacher, against the 'I can' statements from Purple Mash. These guidelines enable staff to accurately identify attainment/coverage of pupils and teachers keep accurate records of pupil attainment by entering data on FFT, 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. We feel the way we implement computing helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can continue to build on in their next stage of education and beyond. We encourage regular discussions between staff and pupils to best embed and understand this. The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work will best show the impact of our curriculum. Progress of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through outcomes and the record of coverage in the process of achieving these outcomes.

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.