Saint Patrick’s Catholic Primary School

‘We arise today, to learn, love and grow through Jesus.’

At Saint Patrick’s we aim to create an environment in which each individual has the opportunity to thrive supported by values of Christ firmly built into our everyday foundations. Education, welfare and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. Above all else, we want to foster a strong belief in all our children that they can succeed in all they do, no matter what. Working with all school parties, we wish to nurture each child’s potential and foster high aspirations. It is essential that we give them the tool kit needed to achieve their goals regardless of background or starting points.

Intent

The National Curriculum for Computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology

The use of computers and computer systems is an integral part of the National Curriculum and knowing how they work is a key life skill. In an increasingly digital world there now exists a wealth of software, tools and technologies that can be used to communicate, collaborate, express ideas and create digital content. At Saint Patrick's we recognise that pupils are entitled to a broad and balanced computing education with a structured, progressive, approach to the learning of how computer systems work, the use of IT and the skills necessary to become digitally literate, use computational thinking, creativity and participate fully in the modern world.

Technology is changing all the time and the way technology is used by the children in our school changes constantly therefore at Saint Patrick's we understand the importance of providing an interactive, exciting and up to date curriculum that keeps the children informed and enthusiastic to learn. We also strive to help children (whilst supporting parents) to understand how to use of a range of technology safely and responsibly.

Our curriculum aims to ensure that pupils: 

• Are critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future.
• Understand the importance that computing will have going forward in both their educational and working life and in their social and personal futures.
• Understand how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner.
• Understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity. They will know that different types of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims.
• Show a clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National curriculum - computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
• Be able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team.
• Be aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible and appropriate manner
• Have an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another.
• Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Computing.

The curriculum at Saint Patrick's is organised into six topics per year group. The topics are grouped into computing skill strands taken from the National Curriculum (Algorithms & Programmes, data Retrieving & organisation, Communicating, using the Internet, Databases and Multimedia Presentation) a strand will be taught across the school at the same time enabling knowledge, skills and resources to be shared and developed as well as monitoring and assessment of the subject to be undertaken.

Our curriculum is driven through the following computing aspects (Information Technology, Digital Literacy and Computer science) which are explored in a wide breadth of topics. Our curriculum is arranged so that pupils return to these same aspects repeatedly, gradually building an understanding of them. Our Long term plan details how pupils will be given opportunities to relate topics to previously studied topics to deepen understanding.

Implementation

The teaching and learning of computing is split into three main aspects taken from the National Curriculum. The three aspects are:

• Computer Science-This aspect of the curriculum allows the children to find out how computers and computer systems work. They can then apply this knowledge through programming. Computer science is taught throughout the school at an age appropriate level.

• Digital Literacy-Becoming digitally literate enables the children to become safe users of technology. We teach the children the value of technology, how to use computers safely and how to evaluate online content.

• Information Technology-The teaching of information technology gives the children the ability to create, edit, analyse, save and retrieve purposeful digital content including text, data and pictures. The children are able to use a variety of software and effectively use search technologies. They are also able to apply their learning in other areas of the curriculum.

Through the planned units of work the children are taught how the skills, knowledge or use of hardware/software is used in everyday life. This may be done through sharing examples or evaluating how effective it is to use a computer-based device. Problem solving activities are taught alongside computing to enhance the children’s computational thinking. Subject-specific vocabulary is used in lessons by the teacher and children.

In school, the curriculum is taught using a range of hardware and software.

This includes:

• A bank of laptops in both key stages
• A computer suite for all year groups to access
• 72 inch Interactive Smart TV’s in each year group teaching area
• A bank of iPads and tablets in each Key stage
• Hardware to teach control units such as, Beebots, Roamer, Lego WeDo and Crumble kits
• Data Loggers
• Digital communication devices such as Dictaphones, microphones, Digi recorders and talking books
• Multimedia hardware and software including digital recorders and green screen.
• Subscription to Purple Mash for all year groups including home access

We recognise that the children’s skill level and knowledge varies therefore we provide suitable experiences and tasks for all children by:

• Setting open-ended tasks where the outcome can vary
• Supporting the children through working with an adult
• Grouping the children by ability group and differentiating the tasks
• Challenging children to extend their learning and skills
• Giving the children the opportunity to practise the skills they have learned in their computing lessons in other contexts
• Providing the children with resources to support them
• Organising children in such a way that they receive support from their peers.

Impact

At Saint Patrick’s We believe, the welcoming, respectful environment, enriched in Catholic morals and teachings, continues to enhance the educational and pastoral experience of every individual passing through our doors, to ensure that they develop and become well-rounded individuals within the community, with the ambition to reach their potential and succeed.

We recognise the unique needs of each child and support them in developing the whole child. We have a supportive ethos and our approaches support the children in developing both their collaborative and independent skills. The impact of our Computing curriculum is measured in the experiences, confidence and competence of our children within the subject. We ensure children receive the experiences they require, both within and beyond the curriculum, to develop their skills and knowledge and become confident in their use of a range of computing technology. By revisiting Computing concepts, children will deepen their understanding and be able to identify links and be able to relate different aspects of computing together. The progress children make in Computing throughout school is outstanding. Children typically enter school at below the expected level for ‘Technology’, but the average percentage of children for the past 3 years achieving Secure or above, at the end of Year 6 is 85%.

At Saint Patrick's, e-Safety is an integral part of our children's education and is embedded in their learning throughout their time at school.  Technology and the way in which our children engage with the internet is changing rapidly and as parents and educators, it is our role and responsibility to equip our children for the changing world and the demands that new technology brings. Therefore, it is our aim to ensure our children improve their own understanding of e-Safety issues so that they can learn to use the internet and all digital media in a safe and secure way.

Our children use the search engine KidRex to safely search the internet in school. 

To access KidRex, click the link below: