Computing
Computing Lead - Mrs Y Brown
At Lowerplace Primary, we recognise the importance of Computing and its importance in an ever-changing technological world. We want all learners to develop a love for computing and strive to reach their full potential with the technology available to them. We aim to develop technological curiosity and provide learners with fun, inspiring computing links within our curriculum. We aim to provide a high-quality computing education, in line with the 2014 National Curriculum for Computing, to ensure children use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The curriculum will teach the children at Lowerplace about how computers and computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed. Learners will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers.
It is our intention to enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in a useful and effective way. We want children to know more, remember more and understand more in computing so that they leave primary school computer literate. Computing skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners and it is our intention that children have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this.
Computing is planned for using the NCCE (National Centre Computing Education) and taught weekly by all years (EYFS incorporate it within their curriculum) or as a block of learning.
A typical lesson lasts for approximately an hour. There are numerous approaches to the teaching of Computing, depending on the topic and the intended outcomes of the lesson. We use ‘unplugged’ activities where children learn about Computing away from the computers through role play, investigation and simulations. We also use various computing resources such as Bee Bots (KS1) or Crumble kits (KS2) to give children hands on experience of programming using equipment specifically designed for computing.
Our computing curriculum develops the children’s skills and knowledge in the following areas
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Computing Systems and Networks
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Creating Media
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Data and Information
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Programming
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E Safety
In EYFS the children learn:
- to recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools. They select and use technology for particular purposes.
In KS1 the children learn:
- what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
- to create and debug simple programs
- to use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
- to use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
- to recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
- to 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
In KS2 the children learn:
- to design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
- to use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
- to use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
- about 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
- to use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
- to 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
- to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact