Computing
Purpose of study
At Crawford Village Primary School, we try to use computers and new technologies as much as possible to enhance our curriculum and help children learn key skills. 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.
At Crawford Village, we base our Computing curriculum on the Purple Mash scheme of work which ensures pupils gain a solid grasp of the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to move onto further study at KS3.
We also use the SWGfL (South West Grid for Learning) projectEVOLVE Online Safety Toolkit. This allows for online safety to be discussed throughout the year and provides resources for each of the 330 statements from UK Council for Internet Safety's (UKCIS) framework “Education for a Connected 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.
National Curriculum Computing Programme of Study
Computing Curriculum Vision Statement
At Crawford Village Primary School, we aim to prepare our children to be ‘lifelong learners’ with the confidence and ability to develop their skills and understanding when meeting new challenges. Their learning environment should contribute to the development of these skills and they should have access to suitable, up-to-date equipment and emerging technologies. As computing is an increasing part of life today, it is essential that all pupils gain the confidence and ability that they need in this subject, to prepare them for the challenge of a rapidly developing and changing technological world. The use of ICT will enhance and extend children’s learning across the whole curriculum whilst developing motivation and social skills.
Our vision is that the use of these technologies will enrich the experience of all pupils and that these resources will help to provide an environment without boundaries, where opportunities can be explored in safety and confidence. Our aim is to enable all our pupils and staff to be confident, competent, and independent users of ICT. We aim to use computing where appropriate to motivate and inspire pupils and raise standards across the curriculum. We will ensure teachers have the necessary training to deliver an up to date curriculum. We also aim to develop pupils’ computing skills, knowledge, understanding and capability through taught computing lessons and to provide opportunities for pupils to apply and consolidate their capability across all curriculum contexts as well as to provide an environment where access to ICT resources is natural and commonplace. We will ensure that children are aware of the possible risks when using the internet through a rolling programme of assemblies and specific lessons as well as making sure the rules are displayed in each classroom area. Children and parents will be advised on the procedures and any breach of these will be noted and parents informed when necessary. Parents and children will be given any information necessary to keep them safe online both inside and outside of school. We will endeavour to keep pace with educational developments in computing and have a commitment to teachers having the necessary tools to do their jobs effectively. We will continue to ensure we have access to the most effective and emerging technologies.