Rode Heath Primary SchoolComputing
In the digital age, a high-quality computing education equips children to utilise computational thinking and creativity in order to understand and change the world.
Intent
At Rode Heath Primary School there are high expectations for all learners in computing. The computing curriculum encompasses three distinct aspects: computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
The core of the computing curriculum is computer science, in which children 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, children are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.
Computing also ensures that children become digitally literate. They are able to use a range of devices to 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. Children learn computing skills and apply them to be effective communicators, problem solvers and to know how to keep safe in an ever changing world.
Therefore, computing enables children to be aware of: knowledge, skills and cultural capital in order to thrive and develop in a digital world. Furthermore, children are encouraged to make links to other subjects which create an interconnected curriculum. In order to achieve this, long-term curriculum plans and a wide variety of resources are in place to ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of this subject area.
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all children:
- can understand and apply 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.
Implementation
At Rode Heath Primary School we strongly believe that prior knowledge is very important. The scheme of work ensures that all lessons build on prior learning and there are many planned opportunities for analysis and evaluation of recall. This is very important in ensuring progression across the curriculum and Key Stages.
The scheme of work is continually analysed and revised to ensure that a breadth and depth of content is explored as technology changes rapidly.
The importance of and passion for computing should permeate throughout the school. Children should be fascinated by the creativity and benefits of computing. Learning about computing ensures that children will be well-prepared as technology continues to develop:
“Machines take me by surprise with great frequency.” Alan Turing
Impact
Learning, understanding and application is monitored via numerous strategies including: formative and summative techniques. Also, practical tasks such as: programming a component or machine to function, demonstrate learners’ understanding of a certain topic or problem.