A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught how digital systems work and how use this knowledge through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are then equipped to create programs, systems and a range of content.
Children should also be digitally literate – able to use, and 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.
E-safety is something that is covered not only in Computing but also in any subject when carrying out activities online. As a school, we are always promoting our SMART targets.
https://www.childnet.com/resources/be-smart-online/
Early Years and Foundation Stage
In EYFS, children undertake a range of activities that will allow them to develop skills required in Computing when they reach Year 1.
Computer Science / Programming
In KS1, pupils will be taught to:
• Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following a sequence of instructions.
• Write and test simple programs.
• Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs.
In KS2, pupils will be taught to:
• Design and write programs to accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems.
• Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output; generate inputs and predict outputs to test programs.
• Use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs.
ICT Skills
In Years 1 and 2, children will develop their word processing skills (using MS Word).
In Years 3 and 4 children, children will develop their word processing and presentation skills (using MS Word and MS PowerPoint).
In Years 5 and 6, children will develop their word processing, presentation and spreadsheet skills (using MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Excel).
Finding Things Out
Children will be taught age appropriate internet research skills under the heading of “Finding Things Out”. These skills will not be taught in subject specific lessons but when children undertake research linked to any subject area.
