Intent:

At St Cross, our computing curriculum is designed to provide a high-quality computing education that equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. It also promotes their safe and responsible use of modern technology.

We intend to implement the national curriculum for computing which aims to ensure that all pupils:

• can understand and apply the 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.

Key Stage 1:

Pupils should be taught to:

• 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

Key Stage 2:

Pupils should be taught to:

• 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; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact

Technology

We support our curriculum with a range of technology including Chromebooks and desktops, handheld devices such as iPads and programmable robots, video and audio recording equipment. These are used not just for the computing curriculum but to enhance learning in all subjects. For example, children may take a photograph on which to base artwork, record themselves performing a role-play for an English project or make a slideshow to support a history presentation. At St Cross, we aim to use a cross-curricular approach to the use of technology to enrich the children's learning.

Online/E-safety

Educating children on how to stay safe online is a key priority in today’s world. We have termly lessons in KS1 on online safety and half-termly lessons in KS2. These are supported by resources from Common Sense Education Alongside this, we have themed activities throughout the year, such as online safety day. 

Some useful e-safety links:

Think U Know

NSPCC - Online Safety

Google Legends Interland Online Safety Game

Internet matters

Common Sense Media

Implementation:

EYFS Computing Curriculum

Reception are following a bespoke curriculum that will give them a strong understanding of the key concepts of computing, as well as focussing on age-appropriate online safety.