Computing

Intent

At St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School we recognise that pupils are living in a rapidly changing world, in which computing is playing an ever-increasing role. We aim, therefore, to equip children with the skills to adapt to new technology and to give them confidence to use computing to further their learning and assist them in everyday life. In doing so, all pupils will have access to computing equipment and resources, according to their ability and age range.

At St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School we believe that increased computing skills promote independent learning and gives greater access to a wide range of ideas and experiences. As a result, there are opportunities to develop the quality of children’s work across the curriculum and strives to enhance and enrich the existing learning.

Implementation

In line with the National Curriculum, as a school we aim for the computing curriculum to ensure that all pupils:

  • To develop children’s individual computing capability and understanding.
  • To ensure all children know how to stay safe online.
  • To enhance teaching and learning in other areas of the curriculum by cross curricular use of computing.
  • To develop computing as a tool for learning and investigation.
  • To equip pupils with the confidence and capability to use IT throughout their education, home and further work life.
  • To recognise the potential, and deepen the necessity of computing in everyday life.
  • To stimulate interest in new technologies.

Impact

At the end of KS1 children should:

  • 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.

At the end of KS2 children should:

  • 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; follow established e-safety rules.

Online Safety

Pupils, parents and staff with concerns  or questions about online safety are to contact the Head Teacher or their child’s class teacher.