Computing

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.

Guide to the Computing Topics

Lower Key Stage 2

Word Processing

Children will be taught basic word processing skills and will learn to use the various features for formatting text. They will use secure passwords and learn to format fonts and use bullets and numbering effectively.

Internet Research and Communication

Children will learn how to search effectively, using key words and how to communicate safely online. They will learn the importance of word order when searching. Children will identify ways of communicating online, how they can keep safe and the importance of being responsible while communicating online with others.

Presentation Skills

Children will be taught how to use and apply a variety of presentational skills in PowerPoint. They will be expected to: set a theme, use slide transitions, use animating objects on the slide, creating hyperlinks and adding audio and video files.

Extended Word Processing

Children will learn to format images and organising content into and effective layout. The children will then put their word processing skills and techniques into a range of different documents (posters, letters, recipe card etc).

Programming

Children explore simulations, explaining how these are structured and some of the programming needed. They decompose tasks, create, and debug algorithms to solve them, understanding how algorithms support the programming process. They write programs to achieve specific objectives, understanding and using sequence, selection and repetition. They test, debug and refine their programs.

Animation

Children will learn the basic principles and techniques of using animation. Before exploring animation, the children will research the history of animation before computers. At the end of the unit, children will be encouraged to evaluate their experiences of using online animation.

Upper Key Stage 2

Radio

Children will use software and digital devises for recording sound. Children are encouraged to take a creative approach with interviewing, making adverts and using jingles. They will present, review and evaluate their own creations, as well as professional and commercial examples.

Information models

Children use spreadsheet software to structure numeric information, making calculations using formulae and functions. They import data collected using dataloggers and analyse it using functions within the software. They carry out what-if modelling, using this for prediction and present results using graphs.

Programming

Children will learn to code through Kodu, which is specifically made for creating games. Kodu focuses on visual icons that are added together like building blocks to form instructions and game environments in a 3D scene editor.

3D Modelling

Children will extend their drawing skills to create 3D models. They will learn how to create simple as well as complex 3D models.

Film making

Children will explore various aspects of film making. They must choose and use appropriate software in order to complete tasks such as: writing scripts, researching information, filming and editing. As well as filming, the children will also focus on the pre and post film making skills with a focus on interviewing others.

Internet Research and Webpage Design

Children will further their skills for searching the internet with the introduction of creating and editing a webpage. Children will learn to create a webpage with a layout of their choosing and will include images and other webpage links.