Computing

Computing at SFH

Intent

At SFH, pupils follow a structured sequence of lessons, ensuring that they have covered the skills required to meet the aims of the national curriculum. Our curriculum content allows for a broad, deep understanding of computing and how it links to children's lives. It offers a range of opportunities for consolidation, challenge and variety. This allows children to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science. They develop analytical problem-solving skills and learn to evaluate and apply information technology. It also enables them to become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information technology. 

 

Implementation

Each lesson contains revision, analysis and problem-solving. Through the sequence of lessons, we intend to inspire pupils to develop a love of the digital world, see its place in their future and give them confidence. Cross-curricular links are also important in supporting other areas of learning.

Computing lessons help children to build on prior knowledge at the same time as introducing new skills and challenges.

In KS1, the focus is on developing the use of algorithms, programming and how technology can be used safely and purposefully. In KS2, lessons still focus on algorithms, programming and coding but in a more complex way and for different purposes. Children also develop their knowledge of computer networks, internet services and the safe and purposeful use of the internet and technology. Data Handling is featured more heavily in UKS2. Skills learnt through KS1 and LKS2 are used to support data presentation. 

 

Impact

Learning in computing will be enjoyed across the school. Teachers will have high expectations and quality  evidence will be presented in a variety of forms. Children will use digital and technological vocabulary accurately, alongside a progression in their technical skills. They will be confident using a range of hardware and software and will produce high-quality purposeful products.

Children will see the digital world as part of their world, extending beyond school, and understand that they have choices to make. They will be confident and respectful digital citizens going on to lead happy and healthy digital lives.

Planning:

Planning is broken down into 6 areas: Multimedia Text and Images, Multimedia Sound and Motion, Handling Data, Technology in Our Lives, Coding and Programming and Online Safety

Each unit consists of 6 lessons.

These units are as follows:

 

The National Curriculum Expectations

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.

 

Attainment targets

By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study.