Computing at Cathcart Street
Intent
The intent of our computing curriculum is to ensure that all pupils develop computational knowledge, skills and rational through:
- Planning which develops skills and knowledge and builds on prior learning.
- Developing reading skills by selecting from a range of sources, planning, writing and refining texts in different styles and for different purposes, communicating face-to-face and by e-mail, and discussing and reflecting critically on their own and others’ work.
- Using a wide range of hardware and software in order to equip children with transferrable skills suitable for ever evolving technologies.
- Ensuring online safety is taught and learnt throughout the school.
- Maximising children’s opportunities to learn outside school using a range of online resources.
- Providing extra-curricular programming opportunities for more able pupils.
At Cathcart Street we place a high priority on E-Safety and we aim to ensure all members of our school are Ready, Respectful and Safe Online.
Implementation
We use The Teach Computing curriculum which provides a comprehensive set of resources aligned to the National Curricula for Computing. The Scheme of Work enables teachers to achieve the very best outcomes for children from KS1 to KS2 through progression of skills and knowledge. It exposes children to a wide variety of digital tools, technological skills, and innovations. At Cathcart Street we have multiple class Chromebooks, Interactive whiteboards and a Key stage set of iPads enabling teachers to expose children to a wide range of hardware and software.
Our curriculum is inclusive and ensures all children have access to technology and computing lessons and activities. We strive through display and content to reflect and celebrate our diverse school community and wider society.
Despite computing not being explicitly mentioned within the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework (which focuses on the learning and development of children from birth to age five) there are many opportunities for young children to practically problem solve and produce creative outcomes which aligns to each area of the EYFS framework. Children regularly use I pads and Interactive Whiteboards in daily school life, which will equip them with many of the skills required by the KS1 curriculum.
Impact
By the end of KS2 we aim to have produced pupils who:
- Have knowledge of the concepts of computing, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation;
- Evaluate and apply information technology analytically to solve problems;
- Model responsible, competent and confident use of the Internet.