Computing at St.John's

Computing at St John’s

School Vision (Intent, Implementation, Impact): 

At St John’s C of E Primary, it is our intent that we implement our vision of John 10:10 through all areas of school life, including the curriculum.  

“I came that they have life and have it abundantly” John 10:10

“A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.”  – National Curriculum 2014

Intent:

At St John’s, we have a clear vision for all our children’s learning. We understand that computing is an integral part of modern day life and will play an essential part in our children’s futures. In an increasingly technologically and scientifically advanced world, our pupils’ need to be confident, digitally literate, and safe online to be prepared for, and succeed in, a rapidly developing and changing technological world.

Implementation:

At St John’s we use the ‘Teach Computing’ scheme, alongside ‘Barefoot Computing’ in Early Years, funded and recognised by the Department for Education. Knowledge and skills are mapped across each topic and year group. We have specifically developed it to meet the needs of mixed-age teaching to ensure systematic progression. We have iPads and chrome books available for all year groups so that they have the opportunity to use a range of devices and programs for many purposes across the wider curriculum, as well as in discrete computing lessons. The implementation of the curriculum ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each learning cycle, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon.

Impact

Our aim for our children is that they will enjoy Computing and will make progress by knowing more, remembering more and being able to do more. They will develop a broad computing vocabulary and will know why they are doing each learning activity, not just how to do it. This will help our children appreciate the importance of Computing and empower them to transfer and embed key concepts into their long-term memory and apply them fluently in all areas of their education and personal lives, as well as providing them with lifelong career opportunities and skills too. All our children will understand how to keep themselves safe when on-line. The large majority of children will achieve age-related expectations at the end of Key Stage 1 and 2.