'Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.'
Ephesians 4:29
Introduction
At St. Hugh’s Catholic Primary School, we want every child to be happy and enthusiastic learners of Computing, and to be eager to achieve their very best in order to fulfil their God-given talents. We firmly believe that the recipe for success is high quality first-wave teaching in Computing, which is central to the life of our happy, caring school.
Intent
Our principal aim is that children leave St. Hugh’s Catholic Primary School with a wide range of happy and rich memories in Computing formed through interesting and exciting experiences. Children will develop a deep understanding of the subjects they are studying. They will increasingly use their prior knowledge to solve problems and develop the sophistication of Computing. In Computing, children will develop the skills to appropriately and safely use computational thinking and creativity to understand the changing world. They will develop deep links with mathematics, science and design technology in natural and artificial systems. Information technology will be used to create programs, systems and a range of content at a level suitable for the future work place as active participants in a digital world.
Implementation
Carefully designed schemes of learning in Computing ensure consistency and progress of all learners and staff will receive coaching and training in Computing, where necessary. The three strands of computing – computing, Information Technology and Digital Literacy will be embedded into the schemes of learning. Success criteria in Computing lessons are set in order to guide children to achieve their potential. This ensures work is demanding and matches the aims of the curriculum.
Impact
Children are happy learners within Computing and all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in. Clear outcomes focus and guide all Computing development plans and drive improvement. Children will understand what algorithms are and be able to create and sequence basic algorithms, understanding how they are implemented as programs on a digital device. They will use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content and recognise common uses of computers in everyday life. Children will be able to use technology safely and respectfully and know where to go for help and support. Children will develop digital literacy by learning how to use a computer effectively. They will understand how to use basic office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel etc. and how to use keyboards and a mouse to select and use applications.
Cultural Capital
Technology moves fast. We need to equip the children of St Hugh’s with a foundational understanding of the world around them, an intellectual toolbox that equips them to deal with successive waves of technology. The current curriculum is focused on ideas and principles. Programming teaches understanding and reasoning skills that are needed by everyone from business innovators to scientists and those in the tech world.
British Values
The computing curriculum promotes the British values of tolerance and resilience on a daily basis through problem solving and understanding of complex concepts, encouraging students to persevere and try different methods to arrive at a correct solution. Teamwork underpins the schemes of learning. Students work together in all areas of the computing curriculum to support each other and build mutual respect for one another. Students are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them in all computing lessons. This fosters confidence and builds self-esteem, it encourages students to take risks and become lifelong learners whilst using their computational thinking skills in all aspects of life.