Computing

Computing Curriculum Intent

In line with the 2014 National Curriculum for Computing, our aim is to provide a high-quality computing education which equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The curriculum will teach children key knowledge 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.

By the time they leave Spring Cottage, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum:

• computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work),
• information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information)
• digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully).

The objectives within each strand support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond.

Computing Curriculum Implementation

At Spring Cottage, computing is taught using a blocked curriculum approach when possible. This ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics.

Knowledge and skills are mapped across each topic and year group to ensure systematic progression. Employing cross-curricular links motivates pupils and supports them to make connections and remember the steps they have been taught.

The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming. In Key Stage 2, this knowledge is built on where they design, write and debug programs, explaining the thinking behind their algorithms.