Purpose of study

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The 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. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Aims

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology

Organisation

Computing is taught in discrete half termly topics, though opportunities for cross-curricular study are always explored. The computing units follow a yearly progression and are adapted to support the specific needs of the children in each year group. Each year group has three regular computing time slots available weekly as well as shared access to Ipads and laptops used within the classroom. We are continually investing in new hardware and software to develop our curriculum whilst developing staff knowledge and delivery of computing lessons. Online Safety features prominently in our curriculum; pupils are given an online safety lesson at the beginning of each half-termly topic in all year groups.

For further information, including the skills, knowledge and areas of study for KS1 and KS2, please see our school's curriculum overview below: