Computing

Computing Curriculum Intent

“Technology, like art is a soaring exercise of the human imagination.”  Daniel Bell

Our Intent

 At SS Peter and Saint Paul Catholic Primary school we intend to prepare the children for a rapidly changing technological world and prepare them for the future digital world. We want all of our children to be experts of technology and never to feel overwhelmed by it. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely

  Our curriculum is based around a specially designed computer science programme, Purple Mash, which the teachers adapt to support the needs of all learners. Our curriculum ensures children will learn and develop skills to become computer literate and gain an understanding of computational thinking. They will learn that technology is continually evolving and that keeping themselves safe online is a necessity.

We aim for children to learn the principles of coding, how digital systems operate and how to use this in programming. Children will also learn to use information technology to create programs and systems. Computing is embedded throughout the wider curriculum and therefore use of technology is rooted in digital safety to ensure children understand the importance of online safety and the practicalities of this. We encourage computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible such as green screening.

We want the children at SS Peter and Paul Primary School to be confident with a range of tools to best express their understanding and hope by the end of Key Stage 2, our pupils will have the confidence and the independence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set by teachers.

We believe that it is important that our curriculum, future technological planning and cross curricular links provide the children with opportunities to be creative, emotionally intelligent, analytical in their thinking and a progression in their leadership skills.

“It’s not that we use technology, we live technology.” – Godfrey Reggio

Our Implementation

Elements and coverage through our PurpleMash Scheme

 Our teaching of computing is mainly completed in discrete computing lessons which happen once a week. Every lesson in our scheme has been individually planned with appropriate Powerpoint presentations and accompanying resources. This is in order that it can be effectively taught using the infrastructure we have in place at school and so that it can meet the needs of all our pupils including our SEN and EAL. The interface is user friendly which helps build fine motor control in our EYFS as well as many other core skills. Many of the applications can be accessed through touch screen function and can be used across a range of devices. The additional MiniMash provides appropriate targets for children working towards their early learning goals. These can also be used for children who have specific SEN requirements providing them with opportunities to access technology. In addition, there are crash courses to fill in gaps that may have been missed for children new to the school and this scheme of work.

 Where appropriate, meaningful links will be made between the computing curriculum and the wider curriculum. In computing lessons, the children will use either the iPads or the computer suite in order to access a range of apps and software. Discreet computing lessons will focus on the curriculum skills of information technology, digital literacy and computer science.  There are many opportunities for cross curricular learning using the technology resources available at school. This is further strengthened by events such as Internet Safety Day and STEAM week.

“Technology is best when it brings people together.” – Matt Mullenweg

Impact

 We encourage all our children to enjoy and value the curriculum that we deliver. We constantly ask and demonstrate the WHY behind their learning and not just the HOW. We want learners to discuss with each other, reflect while also appreciating the impact computing has on their learning, development and wellbeing. We believe that finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style. We feel the way we teach computing helps our children realise the need for the right balance and one they can continue to build on in their next stage of education and beyond. Progress of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through outcomes and the record of coverage in the process of achieving these outcomes.

An overview of Purple Mash can be viewed HERE.