COMPUTING AT ST RICHARD'S

OUR INTENT

Technology is changing the lives of everyone. Through our computing curriculum, we aim to equip our children to participate in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly influenced by technology, both as consumers and creators.

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.

Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross-curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school and at home. We believe that a child’s chances of being a productive and safe digital citizen are greatly improved by involving families in the conversation: therefore, we strive to support and encourage parents and carers to set boundaries and share in their child’s online experiences.

All our children should leave Year 6 as safe and responsible digital citizens with the ability to confidently engage with and utilise key technologies, both in their on-g

Technology is changing the lives of everyone. Through our computing curriculum, we aim to equip our children to participate in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly influenced by technology, both as consumers and creators. We recognise that a range of cultural and financial influences can greatly impact a child’s access to technology and their cultural capital in this area. We aim to ensure that children from all backgrounds gain the exposure they need to inspire and empower them.

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.

Our intention is that Computing also supports creativity and cross-curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school and at home. We believe that a child’s chances of being a productive and safe digital citizen are greatly improved by involving families in the conversation: therefore, we strive to support and encourage parents and carers to set boundaries and share in their child’s online experiences. Touch-typing is nurtured as a life skill for all pupils, particularly for children with barriers to handwriting.

All our children should leave Year 6 as safe and responsible digital citizens with the ability to confidently engage with and utilise key technologies, both in their on-going learning and in their life in general.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPUTING CURRICULUM

By the time they leave St Richard’s, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum. These areas are as follows:

Computer Science - coding, programming and understanding how digital systems work.

Information Technology -  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.

Digital Literacy - the ability and skill to find, evaluate, utilise, share, and create content using information technologies This strand includes Digital Safety. At St Richard's we have separated Digital Safety into its own strand to ensure robust coverage and to ensure that the children remain safe in this ever-changing digital era. 

Embedded within these lessons will be opportunities to practise core skills such as logging on, managing passwords, saving work, touch typing and effective research skills using the internet. In addition to discrete computing lessons, employing cross-curricular links motivates pupils and supports them to make connections and remember the steps they have been taught. Children in Year 5 get to programme a Mars Rover at the National History museum, plus children study key historical figures such as Alan Turing and Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web.

Key Stage 1 Curriculum and Progression 

The PDF below identifies the curriculum coverage and progression for Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2). Key Stage 1 have a weekly lesson alongside their Big Pictures. This year we have updated our curriculum to ensure progression between the 2 year groups. Children in Key Stage 1 use Bee Bots for the programming learning. 

Key Stage 2 Curriculum and Progression 

Please see the PDFs below which show the progression and coverage in Key Stage 2. Key Stage 2 are taught the Computing curriculum through focused Big Picture Topics. The main programming tool is the BBC Micro:bit. 

DIGITAL SAFETY 

The education of pupils in Digital Safety, Digital Wellbeing and Digital Literacy is an essential part of our online safety provision and strongly support our Safeguarding policy. We prepare pupils with the skills to access lifelong learning, whilst developing their awareness to the potential risks. We aim to empower and educate pupils in their use of technology to equip them to be responsible digital citizens, who remain both safe and legal when using the Internet and related technologies, inside and beyond the context of the classroom. Key Stage 1 children use Digi-Duck and Smartie the Penguin for their Digital Safety learning, using stories and real life scenarios to learn how to stay safe and how to find help. In Key Stage 2 the children use lessons from Project Evolve as detailed below:

IMPACT OF THE COMPUTING CURRICULUM

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish and become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. We expect children from all backgrounds and with all levels of ability to be inspired to see computing and its related industries as a valid, aspirational career-route.

Whilst it is all but impossible to predict the exact nature of the technological developments children will encounter in the decades to come, it is clear that actively producing content will become just as important as passively consuming. The implementation of this curriculum ensures that when children leave St Richard’s, they will have developed the confidence, skills and enthusiasm they need to express themselves creatively and protect themselves and others responsibly, in Key Stage 3 and beyond.