Curriculum

Intent

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Computing plays an integral part in the curriculum and is a key skill for everyday life alongside creating aspirational and knowledge-rich pupils. Pupils will secure an understanding of the use of technology as well as staying safe and making the correct choices. Pupils will secure an understanding of the use of technology as well as staying safe and making the correct choices. Computers, tablets, programmable robots, digital and video cameras are a few of the tools that can be used to acquire, organise, store, manipulate, interpret, communicate and present information. We recognise that pupils are entitled to quality hardware and software and a structured and progressive approach to the learning of the skills needed to enable them to use it effectively. As a result of the accumulation of essential knowledge pupils’ cultural capital and understanding of computing, disciplines will be substantial and will provide a secure foundation that will enable them to succeed in the next stage of their education.

Implementation

Computing

Our Computing curriculum aims to ensure that all children:

• Have a secure understanding of how to stay safe online and in the real world, implementing guidance that has been taught.
• Gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of technology and how to use it effectively.
• Have a concrete understanding of programming and how programs are written, refined and developed.
• Equip children with the skills and understanding to live in an ever-increasing technological world.
• Provide a relevant, challenging and enjoyable curriculum for ICT and computing for all pupils.
• Meet the requirements of the national curriculum programmes of study for computing.
• Enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information in a variety of ways across and engaging and inspiring curriculum.
• Allow children the opportunity to apply their computing skills in different contexts and areas of the curriculum.
• Respond to new developments in technology.
• Equip pupils with the confidence and capability to use computing throughout their later life.

EYFS

The teaching of Computing is practical, playful and inclusive with support and challenge from adults in class sessions, small groups and working with individuals. There is a combination of adult-led, teacher taught sessions as well as a wealth of stimulating continuous provision opportunities when adults scaffold learning through skillful interactions and questioning. Throughout all of these areas of learning and at the heart of our EYFS are the characteristics of effective learning (TBC).

Career Professional Development

We develop strong subject knowledge amongst all staff which is achieved through: comprehensive middle leadership development, a focus on developing all teachers’ subject knowledge, computing pedagogy and the provision of high-quality planning resources. Links are made with Christ the King Catholic Collegiate to share resources and knowledge. CPD is delivered in conjunction with the Computing departments at Saint John Fisher.

Cross Curricular

Wherever possible, the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Computing Curriculum is enhanced by interweaving content through other subjects. To understand British Society today, pupils will have a secure understanding of how computing fits into and supports modern society.

Impact

By the end of the curriculum all pupils will have a coherent knowledge and understanding of Technology and that within the wider world. They will have acquired the disciplinary skills by being able to ask perceptive questions, think critically, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement. This will be assessed through a multi-faceted approach including; skillful questioning lesson by lesson, retrieval practices, and Purple Mash assessment tasks. Leaders will monitor the quality and impact of the Computing Curriculum through regular pupil voice and assess the extent to which pupils know more and remember more.