Computing

Intent 
At St. John’s we understand that computing is an important part of the curriculum; a subject that not only stands alone but is woven into a variety of subject areas. Technology is constantly evolving and hugely affects the world we live in. Therefore, through teaching a broad computing curriculum, we equip the children with a high-quality computing education and transferrable skills for the future.  

The core of computing is computer science, information technology and digital literacy. Pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how systems work and how to programme, coding, computational thinking and online safety to develop these skills. We use the Purple Mash scheme because it covers all of the National Curriculum objectives thoroughly and encourages links in the curriculum by including music, writing and art and design into the computing units.  

We intend to teach computing weekly to ensure a good level of skill progression. Purple Mash offers the opportunity to cover and recap skills in each year group to allow progression to be seen and assessed. This coverage also allows opportunities to address misconceptions and support the lowest 20% of pupils as well as challenging others. We aim to ensure that all of our pupils become ready for the digital, every changing World. We want children to be digitally literate and are able to use this knowledge to express themselves and develop their ideas as well as keep themselves safe.  

The aims of our computing curriculum ensure that children:

• Can understand and apply the concepts of computer science including algorithms, data representation, abstraction and logic
• Can analyse problems in computational terms and repeat practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve problems (using Scratch and Microbits)
• Can evaluate and apply information technology to solve problems
• Can select, use and combine a variety of software (including the internet) on a range of digital devices (including Ipads and Chromebooks)  
• Can design and create a range of programs, systems and content to accomplish the given goal in a number of subjects including DT, Maths and Science
• Can collect, analyse, evaluate and present data and information
• Are responsible, competent, creative and confident users of ICT.

Implementation

At St. John’s we teach computing weekly to ensure a good level of skill progression. Purple Mash offers the opportunity to cover and recap skills in each year group to allow progression to be seen and assessed.

In Early Years, the approach is through cross-curricular learning, computational thinking and hands on experience to help them understand how technology is used throughout their daily lives. Many of these lessons will be unplugged. From Years 1 to 6, each lesson contains revision, analysis and problem-solving. The Purple Mash scheme provides a cohesive sequence of lessons to inspire the pupils to develop a love of the digital world. This coverage also allows opportunities to address misconceptions and support the lowest 20% of pupils as well as challenging the higher ability pupils. We aim to ensure that all of our pupils become digitally literate and are able to use this knowledge to express themselves and develop their ideas.

Pupils will have access to a range of hardware including computers, iPads, Chromebooks and programmable equipment to aid their learning in computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

Impact

Pupils will be able to responsibly and confidently use technology safely and have a secure and comprehensive knowledge of the curriculum. The scheme used provides opportunities to develop the pupils’ computational terms and analysis and problem solving skills, each year, to show progression throughout their time at St. John’s.

We measure the impact of the computing curriculum by using the Purple Mash year group assessment grids, alongside pupil voice and work scrutiny to ensure the curriculum is being delivered to a high standard.