Computing
Programme of Study
Our Mission
We believe that we must prepare the pupils of St Cuthbert Mayne Catholic Junior School, to be active, responsible citizens in a society which is served by an ever increasing use of computing related processes. To enable pupils to be so, we believe that all pupils must have equal and appropriate access to a wide range of technological resources.
May technology serve us Lord, so that we may better serve one another, and you.
Our Aims
We recognise the need for pupils to:
- Develop their computing capability so that they may, in time, be able to use computers effectively, creatively and autonomously across the whole range of the curriculum.
- Be able to take advantage of computer generated opportunities to promote learning outside of the classroom.
- Develop an awareness of their personal responsibilities when using computer, mobile phone, iPad and other similar resources to access wider resources and when communicating with others.
We understand the responsibility to educate our pupils on e-Safety issues. We teach them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to enable them to remain both safe and legal when using the internet and related technologies both in and beyond the context of the classroom.
Curriculum Organisation
The skills of Computing are taught in topics set out in the Twinkle scheme.
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; and identify a range of ways to report
concerns about content and contact.
Teaching
By adhering to the scheme of work, we ensure that our pupils are taught a range of skills and techniques. They will receive a minimum of 45 minutes of Computing as a discrete subject and will reinforce their learning of these skills during other timetabled sessions in a cross curricular capacity.
In some instances, introductory work on a topic might be paper based or involve role play.
Pupils will be required to explore the Internet and World Wide Web for research purposes, learning as they do so, of the importance of eSafety and how to keep themselves and their peers safe.
Pupils will use Computing to support both core and foundation subjects.
Staff will use a range of teaching styles i.e. whole class, small group and individual use of computing equipment.
The staff will meet regularly to monitor and evaluate current Computing practice within the school, including pupils’ continuity and progress.
Assessment
Formative assessment of Computing takes place throughout the teaching of individual Computing units. Summative assessment is carried out termly (through an integrated project), and will reflect the development of children’s Computing capability. Clear learning objectives both in Computing and subject context, provide the focus of assessed activities.
Progress in Computing will be reported as a separate subject once a year in a written report to parents.
Provision for More and Most Able Children
We plan a variety of opportunities to extend, enrich and enhance the learning of our more and most able children, so that they achieve to the best of their ability and make the best possible progress.