Intent

At Holy Family, our aim is to provide a computing curriculum which provides children with the necessary skills to embrace and utilise new and existing technologies in a safe and responsible way.  We want our pupils to have the fundamental skills required to succeed in their future education whilst also understanding the principles of computer science and computational thinking. We also believe our children should be able to analytically solve computational problems, communicate in a digitally literate world and become competent and confident users of information technology.

Essential characteristics of a techie  

• To use and apply computational thinking and creativity to have an impact on the world around them.
• To understand how digital systems work and apply this knowledge through programming.
• To use information technology to create a range of content for a variety of audiences.
• To develop digital literacy skills and vocabulary to use through information and communication technology.
• To develop an awareness and understanding of digital wellbeing and online safety to protect themselves and others online.
• To demonstrate an understanding of the responsibility to value personal devices and other computing equipment.
• To make links between computing and other subject areas such as Art, Mathematics, Science and Design & Technology.
• To recognise the importance of technology in their future education and career and the role they will play in continuing to develop the digital world.

Implementation

Our curriculum distinguishes between subject topics and threshold concepts. Subject topics are the specific aspects of subjects that are studied for example, animation, IT around us and the Internet. Threshold concepts tie together the subject topics into meaningful schema. The same concepts are explored in a wide breadth of topics. Through this ‘forwards-and-backwards engineering’ of the curriculum, pupils return to the same concepts over and over, and gradually build an understanding of them.

The four threshold concepts in Computing are:

• To code - This concept involves  understanding what programming and algorithms are and how this knowledge can be used to design, write and debug programs.
• To connect - This concept involves understanding what a computer network is, how these networks are created and how these networks are used to communicate on a local and global scale.
• To communicate - This concept involves the understanding of how technology can be used as a method of communication through animation, video and photography using a variety of applications and programs.
• To collect - This concept involves the understanding of how a variety of technology can be used to collect data and information. The children will explore and construct ways in which to present this data and information to various audiences.

Computing is an essential part of learning in EYFS as it is incorporated in everyday learning. The computing aspects of the children’s work relate to the objectives set out in the early learning goals (ELGs).

In KS1, the children will learn about what algorithms are and how they are implemented as programs. They will use technology to create, organise, store and retrieve digital content. The children will learn about the uses of information technology beyond school and how this should be used safely and respectfully.

In KS2, the children will continue to develop their understanding of programs through designing, writing and debugging programs to accomplish specific goals. They will learn about how computer networks work and use a variety of software to create a variety of content. The children will continue to focus on using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly, recognising behaviour that is acceptable/unacceptable.

Impact

Children at Holy Family will be able to know more and remember more about Computing. They will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of technology and the impact it has on the world around them. They will be able to use technological vocabulary confidently and accurately. They will have developed skills such as problem solving and sequencing through exploring a range of technologies and programs. The children will be well equipped to use these skills in other areas of learning to allow them to progress in their learning as they move away from primary education.