Computing

Purpose of study

Computing is an essential skill for all children to learn, and an important part of the curriculum. Through the teaching of the computing curriculum, your child will develop an understanding of computer science, in which they will be taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Pupils will also become digitally literate - they will be able to express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology. This will equip pupils with the skills, knowledge and understanding of computing that they will need for the rest of their lives.

Computing in Key Stage 1

In the new curriculum, computing is seen to be a foundation subject, vital in helping children understand the digital world around them. In Key Stage 1, your child will begin to learn the skill of programming, creating programs, systems and a range of content.

In Years 1 and 2, your child will be taught to:

• understand what algorithms are (a set of step-by-step instructions for carrying out a function); how they are used as programs on digital devices, and that programs work by following precise and unambiguous instructions

• create and debug (find and remove errors from) simple programs

• use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

• use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content

• recognise common uses of information technology in the wider world

• use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private

• know where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

Computing in Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2, your child will build on these skills and extend their mastery of computers, as both user and creator. The computing curriculum aims to make children computationally aware, teaching them concepts (how to predict and analyse results, how to break a problem down into parts, how to spot and use similarities and how to evaluate) and approaches to help them problem-solve.

In Years 3 to 6, your child will 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; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

Cross-curricular links

At Abbott, we follow the Purple Mash scheme to teach computing. This overview is adapted to meet our pupils’ needs on an on-going basis. Computing skills are taught during a weekly lesson, and are applied across the curriculum. In maths, many aspects of statistics can be enhanced and developed in computing. Undertaking research in history, geography and RE on the Internet provides a different source of information and allows pupils to explore a range of presentation styles. In literacy, reading and writing are integral parts of the wider use of computing.

Useful links

Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu/) – Scratch allows users to program their own interactive stories, games, and animations. The majority of programming done in school is through Scratch. Projects can be created online, or you can download the program directly on to a computer (https://scratch.mit.edu/scratch2download/).

Hour of code (https://code.org/learn) – This website teaches introductory code through the medium of popular media, including Frozen, Star Wars, Minecraft and Angry Birds.

http://code-it.co.uk/ 

https://www.kodugamelab.com/

https://www.kodable.com/

Computing skills are taught during a weekly lesson and are applied across the curriculum.

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