At St Gregory’s, we are determined to provide children with the essential computing skills to aid them in today’s modern lifestyle. There are three main strands of the Computing curriculum. The three main strands are: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy.

At St. Gregory’s Primary School we recognise the importance of Computing in every aspect of daily life. Knowledge and understanding of the Computing Curriculum is of increasing importance in children’s futures.  Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding technology. 

Through teaching Computing our intent is to equip our children to be active participants in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology.  Computer skills play a vital role in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners and it is our intention that children have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this. 

It is our intention that Computing also supports cross-curricular learning through engaging the children and enriching their learning.  Not only do we want our children to be digitally literate and competent but through our computing lessons we want them to develop an understanding of themselves as members of a wider global community and as responsible digital citizens.

Computer Science introduces children to understanding how computers and networks work. It also give all children the opportunity to learn computer programming, from simple programmable toys in EYFS to programming and decoding complex codes in Year 6.

Information Technology focuses on the use of computers for collecting and presenting information in a range of ways and using search technology. Digital Literacy is about the safe and responsible use of technology, including recognising its advantages for collaboration or communication. The use of technology is used to enhance learning across the whole curriculum. Children have access to a range of resources to support the Computing curriculum such as: laptops, iPads, cameras, audio recording equipment, scanners, data handlers and programmable toys.

The objectives for Computing in KS1 and KS2 are clearly set out for each year group in the National Curriculum:

Key Stage 1:
Pupils should be taught about:

• Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
• Create and debug simple programs
• Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
• Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
• Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
• Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

Key Stage 2
Pupils should be taught about:

• Design, write and debug 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
• Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work 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 world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration
• Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
• Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
• Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

Early Years Foundation Stage

In EYFS, the children have daily access to computers with appropriate games and apps to support their learning. They also have access to range of technology including programmable toys, an interactive whiteboard, computers and CD players. Computing makes a significant contribution to developing a child’s understanding of the world (UTW) especially their understanding of technology.

Early Learning Goals linked to Computing

 
Technology: children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools. They select and use technology for particular purposes.

Being imaginative: children use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories.

Safer Internet Day

 
Every February, all classes complete activities linked to online safety.

Discussions focus on: the importance of keeping personal information private, who keeps them safe online, what to do if they don’t feel safe, internet jargon and what the internet actually is. At St George’s Online Safety is not just for one day a year. The children receive regular reminders, lessons and activities throughout each term.

Our Curriculum Implementation

At St. Gregory’s Primary School, computing is taught in one of two ways.  The first is specific computing skills teaching that practises or develops an aspect of the curriculum.  The other is as part of another lesson, where computing resources or skills will be used to support other areas of the learning, such as researching a history topic. This ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills across all areas of the computing curriculum. 

Teachers use "Teach Computing" and ‘The NCCE Computing Curriculum’ schemes as a starting point for the planning of their computing lessons. 

In computing lessons the children predominantly use iPads, accessing a range of apps, software and websites. The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experience of all three strands across the year with the skills taught becoming more specific and increasingly complex, thus ensuring that learning progresses effectively. 

Children at St. Gregory’s Primary School will be digitally literate and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform.  They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively, but more importantly safely. 

The biggest impact on our children is that they understand the consequences of using the internet and that they are also aware of how to keep themselves safe online.  

The assessment of children’s computing skills is an ongoing process and will involve observations, collecting evidence such as photographs, videos, watching the children work and talking to them about their work. 

Teachers record their assessments of children’s learning termly using our whole school tracking system – INSIGHT.  Computing is monitored throughout the year using a variety of strategies such as lesson observations, pupil interviews and looking at samples of work.